June is PTSD Awareness Month. As a trauma specialty clinic, we work year-round to promote education, awareness, and compassion related to psychological trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This month we want to place special emphasis on hope for survivors. Recovery is possible and there are effective, evidence-based therapies to help you do it. Click through to our PTSD specialty page to learn more.
If you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing may be PTSD, consider taking this brief screening:
Sometimes things happen to people that are unusually or especially frightening, horrible, or traumatic. For example:
• a serious accident or fire
• a verbal, physical, or sexual assault or abuse
• an earthquake or flood
• a war
• seeing someone be killed or seriously injured
• having a loved one die through homicide or suicide, or accident.
Have you ever experienced this kind of event?
If yes, review the following questions:
In the past month, have you…
1. Had nightmares about the event(s) or thought about the event(s) when you did not want to?
2. Tried hard not to think about the event(s) or went out of your way to avoid situations that reminded you of the event(s)?
3. Been constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled?
4. Felt numb or detached from people, activities, or your surroundings?
5. Felt guilty or unable to stop blaming yourself or others for the event(s) or any problems the event(s) may have caused?
If you answered “yes” to three or more of these questions, you may be experiencing posttraumatic stress and should contact a mental health professional to discuss your experience further.
