June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day. PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was originally called "shell shock." According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, "About 7 or 8 out of every 100 people (or 7-8% of the population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives. About 8 million adults have PTSD during a given year. This is only a small portion of those who have gone through a trauma. About 10 of every 100 women (or 10%) develop PTSD sometime in their lives compared with about 4 of every 100 men (or 4%). Learn more about women, trauma and PTSD."
Causes of PTSD: serious accidents, exposure to war or being in life threating situations like active shootings, physical, emotional and sexual assault or abuse, exposure to traumatic work events (police, fire fighters, nurses, doctors, etc.), child birth experiences or losing a child, and serious health issues.
Common signs and symptoms of PTSD: Intense feelings of distress when reminded of a tragic event.Extreme physical reactions to reminders of trauma such as a nausea, sweating or a pounding heart. Invasive, upsetting memories of a tragedy. Flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening again). Having a diagnosis of PTSD is not a life sentence. There is hope and healing that can come from reaching out for help. Talk therapy provides a safe judgement free space for you talk about the traumatic events in your life so you can gain healing, coping skills and wisdom.
Pure Grace Counseling founder Kathryn Hanjani MA,
LPCC, NCC specializes in Individual Counseling & Career Counseling Services. Based in Denver, Colorado I have helped several clients work through their mental health including PTSD, Bipolar, Anxiety, & Depression.
If you need someone to talk please call us today 303-669-2333.