Articles

On June 27, 2021, National PTSD Awareness Day will arrive at a point in time when more Americans than ever before are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Thus, when you combine the recent military conflicts with the COVID-19 pandemic, the fact that so many Americans suffer from PTSD is not surprising. As a major nonprofit provider of mental health and SUD services in California. Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) believes greater recognition of National PTSD Awareness Day is a priority.

According to the National Institute on Mental Health, “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation… Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.”

However, many people do not realize they are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, by raising awareness about National PTSD Awareness Day, help will come. Indeed, many people suffering in silence will access support. Beyond learning about the condition and educating the public, the goal is to give people basic tools. Hence, the goal is to help them spot the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. In another article soon to be published, Tarzana Treatment Centers will participate in this educational process. Thus, we will describe a list of PTSD symptoms. Also, TTC works with the Veterans Administration to help provide PTSD treatment services for U. S. Veterans.

National PTSD Awareness Day = A Treatment Opportunity

According to the PTSD Foundation of America, close to eight percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. If you think that number seems low, we are talking 26,480,000 human beings in pain when we translate it into actual numbers. Moreover, thirty percent of service members who have spent time in war zones suffer from PTSD symptoms. To begin with, we focus on service members while providing services to anyone in need.

Did you know that less than 50% of people who have post-traumatic stress disorder reach out for help? As the Red Cross highlights, the rest suffer in silence. Also, women (10.4%) are twice as likely as men (5%) to develop PTSD. Still, over 60% of men and over 50% of women report experiencing a traumatic event in their lifetimes.

According to the PTSD Foundation of America, which provides the statistics noted in this article, “The traumatic events most often associated with PTSD for men are rape, combat exposure, childhood neglect, and childhood physical abuse. The most traumatic events for women are rape, sexual molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, and childhood physical abuse.”

Reducing Stigma = A Major Goal of National PTSD Awareness Day

Post-traumatic stress syndrome was known as ‘shell shock’ in the early twentieth century and ‘combat fatigue’ after World War II. However, PTSD symptoms do not only happen to combat veterans. Indeed, all people of any ethnicity, nationality, or culture, and at any age, are vulnerable to PTSD.Thus, despite the psychological pain of post-traumatic stress disorder, few people reach out to access help. Why is this services gap happening?

A significant reason is a stigma associated with PTSD. As an Armed Forces specialist for the Red Cross South Florida Region, Jaime Cruz explains, “Asking for help is very hard because some people don’t want others to know that they are getting treatment or going to a program to solve their mental and emotional issues. There is a lot of stigma and taboos around this because it can be perceived as a sign of weakness and prevent further military career development if not addressed properly.”

The History Behind National PTSD Awareness Day

Since 1980, PTSD has officially been recognized as a specific condition with identifiable symptoms. As a result, PTSD is listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is the primary diagnostic tool for mental health professionals and is the definitive reference.

In 2010, Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota submits a resolution to Congress to create a “day of awareness” to remember Staff Sergeant Joe Biel. Joe Biel was a North Dakota National Guard member who took his life following two tours in Iraq. Suffering from PTSD, the young man committed suicide. Thus, Joe Biel’s birthday – June 27 – is now the official PTSD Awareness Day. Tarzana Treatment Centers marks the significance of the PTSD Awareness Day occurring on the day of his birth. After all, it should celebrate the value of the gift of life.

In 2021, after such a difficult period, we should all use National PTSD Awareness Day as an opportunity to access help. If you think you know someone, including yourself, who might be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, please contact Tarzana Treatment Centers for the very best in PTSD treatment services and support.