Monday 27 June is PTSD Awareness Day, dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so that more people can recognise what’s happening to them or their loved ones and get the support needed to recover.
What do you know about PTSD?
PTSD refers to a set of reactions that may occur after a person goes through a traumatic experience.
The four main symptoms include:
- Re-living the traumatic event
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma
- Experiencing negative thoughts or feelings
- Feeling wound-up
Do you know someone at risk?
PTSD doesn’t affect every person exposed to trauma but 1 in 10 emergency workers and military personnel experience it, and adults or children who have been through a violent event or assault, abuse, an accident, a natural disaster, threat of injury or other serious event are particularly susceptible.
What if you, or someone you know is experiencing PTSD?
You are not alone and it’s not a sign of weakness. More than 1 million Australians are living with PTSD at any given time.
Without intervention, the effects can be long lasting and debilitating, so let’s to learn to recognise warning signs and be prepared to ask for help. The good news is that with treatment and the support of close friends and family, recovery and renewal is possible.
How is PTSD treated?
Effective treatment generally includes a combination of counselling, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EDMR); physical treatments; and the help of a person’s support network.
You can support someone in recovery by planning enjoyable activities each day, checking in with them regularly to offer emotional support, accompanying them to doctor’s appointments, assisting with childcare or shopping, and making a crisis plan together so that you can recognise triggers and take steps to cope.
Flourish Australia fully understand the physical, emotional and psychosocial impact that PTSD can have on a person’s life. We provide one-to-one peer mentoring and highly specialised complex mental health support.
When you’re supporting someone in recovery from PTSD, self-care is important for you too. Post Traumatic Stress Awareness Day 2022 has something for everyone.
If you are part of the Flourish Australia community, speak to your peer worker or manager.
Let’s do our part to get the word out!
Talk to us today
For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
