Thursday 27 June is PTSD Awareness Day 2024. It aims to raise awareness of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) so that those affected and their loved ones know they’re not alone, and that help is available.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a set of reactions that can develop after someone has been through a traumatic event such as natural disaster, war, a serious accident, or physical or sexual assault.
In the first days and weeks after a traumatic event, people often experience strong feelings of fear, sadness, guilt, anger, or grief, which generally resolve on their own with the support of family and friends.
However, if the distress continues, it may mean that the person has developed PTSD or another mental health condition.
Symptoms of PTSD
A person with PTSD can have a range of symptoms including
- Reliving the traumatic event
- Feeling wound up
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event
- Negative thoughts and feelings.
Between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of Australians will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. It is not unusual for people with PTSD to experience other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
Effective treatments for PTSD include counselling, medication, or a combination of both. Recommended counselling techniques include trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). The medications used to treat PTSD are generally antidepressants, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) a popular choice. These treatments can work even if your traumatic experience was a long time ago.
How to support someone with PTSD
If a friend, family member or loved one has PTSD you can support them by helping to re-establish a normal routine. This will help them restore a sense of order and control in their life. You can provide practical support like picking up groceries or offering to babysit, encourage them to look after their physical health, and join them in activities they enjoy.
If they are still struggling to cope more than two weeks after the traumatic event, encourage them to seek professional help. It may be a tough process, but recovery and renewal is always possible.
Find out more
The PTSD Awareness Day website has more information about PTSD and trauma, and how you can get help for yourself or someone else.
How Flourish can help
Flourish Australia understands the physical, emotional and psychosocial impact that PTSD can have. We provide one-to-one peer mentoring and highly specialised complex mental health support that can help you or someone you know.
For urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for confidential 24/7 counselling and referrals.
Talk to us today
For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
