The National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder designated June as PTSD Awareness Month and the United States Senate designated June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day. PTSD is a mental health disorder that some people develop after witnessing or living through a dangerous or life-threatening event or a sudden distressing event that causes physical and/or mental harm (e.g., combat, sexual assault, physical abuse, natural disasters, or the unexpected death of a loved one).
There are approximately eight million adults currently experiencing PTSD in the United States. While it is natural to feel anxious during and after any traumatic situation, if those feelings remain for an extended period or fade but are re-triggered later, there might be a valid reason for greater concern: for some people, such feelings under such circumstances become chronically symptomatic of PTSD. Whether PTSD symptoms start immediately following a traumatic event, begin at a later point, or come and go over time, if they are present over the course of a month or more and are severe enough to interfere with relationships and/or work, they might be from PTSD.
According to the National Center for PTSD (an office of the US Department of Veterans Affairs), about six of every 10 men (or 60%) and five of every 10 women (or 50%) experience at least one trauma in their lives; and about seven or eight out of every 100 people (or 7-8% of the population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives. Symptoms that might be observed in PTSD sufferers include problems sleeping, irritability, anger, recurrent dreams about the traumatic event, intense reactions when reminded of the event, isolation, and more. While some people may recover from PTSD after a few months, others may take several years to improve and reclaim their lives from this significantly impactful disorder.
Fortunately, there are organizations and resources available to help individuals diagnosed with PTSD. From therapy to support groups to medication, there are ways to treat PTSD and manage associated symptoms. Here are some resources to help you find a therapist who specializes in PTSD care and treatment:
- Sidran Institute Help Desk: locate a therapist who specializes in trauma treatment; email or phone at (410) 825-8888.
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: search for a therapist by location and mental health disorder; email or phone at (240) 485-1011.
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Clinician Directory: search for a clinician, counselor, or mental health professional by factors including location, treatment specialty, etc.
- American Psychological Association: locate a psychologist by location, treatment specialty, insurance, and gender.
- Psychology Today: access a therapist directory and treatment center directory by location.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): access the Behavioral Health Services Locator and sort by location and type of facility; 24-hour phone access at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you are in immediate crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for help. Other ways to get help urgently include contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255 or En Español, 1-888-628-9454), or the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1 or text 838255).
Modern MD, PLLC is the health and wellness family practice of Dr. Patricia Lopez-Po, MD, serving communities in El Paso, Texas and in New Mexico., Dr. Lopez-Po takes a holistic approach towards treatment at her family medical center located on the west side of El Paso, and via home visits. She provides primary care with specialty services as needed—the most comprehensive care possible for every patient. If you are seeking whole-patient health and wellness care and want to establish a relationship of trust with your primary care physician, reach out to Dr. Lopez-Po at Modern MD. Contact her online, or call 915-288-3008 to schedule an appointment today.
