PTSD Awareness Month brings attention to the disorder
The month of June marks Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. Additionally, PTSD Awareness Day has been recognized annually on June 27 since 2010. PTSD is a disorder that affects about 5.2 million people in a given year.
Cindy Cook, executive director of Counseling, Health, and Career Services, gave insight on what PTSD is and the symptoms of the disorder.
“PTSD is a mental health issue that can impact people who have been exposed to a traumatic event by direct exposure or observation, or indirectly,” Cook said. “Symptoms may include recurrent memories of the event, nightmares, flashbacks, emotional or physical distress reactions to stimuli that resemble the triggering event, avoidance of things associated with the event, and changes in thoughts or mood.”
Although these symptoms may seem common for anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, not every person has PTSD. Individuals are diagnosed with PTSD when their symptoms cause notable distress and last for a significant amount of time.
Trisha Ruiz, director of Veterans Services, said that while the office’s personnel are not licensed mental health clinicians, they can provide various resources to the UHCL community regarding PTSD.
“Personnel in the Office of Veteran Services are not licensed mental health clinicians,” Ruiz said. “However, we are well connected with organizations within the community that provide assistance to those suffering from PTSD. We are more than willing to provide resources to UHCL students, staff, faculty, and anyone who inquires.”
Further, Ruiz outlined common misconceptions about PTSD.
“There are quite a few misconceptions that surround PTSD,” Ruiz said. “Often times, it is viewed as something that only affects veterans. According to the National Center for PTSD, a vast majority of people with PTSD are not veterans. Another misconception is that those who suffer from PTSD are dangerous. One of the major symptoms that PTSD poses is managing the traumatic memory.”
Cook also said a common misconception about PTSD is that it only happens with recent trauma.
“Research shows that sometimes the symptoms do not appear for months or years after the traumatic event,” Cook said.
PTSD Awareness Month aims to bring about a better understanding of the disorder by generating a dialogue.
Counseling Services offers therapy services to currently enrolled students who might be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, or who have experienced a traumatic event. To schedule an appointment, students can either stop by Counseling Services (SSCB 3103) or call 281-283-2580.
Subsequently, Counseling Services offers free anonymous online screenings for PTSD on their website, as well as resources and educational materials through their Facebook page.
EDITOR’S NOTE: 6/26/18 – The headline of the article was previously “PTSD Awareness Month brings attention to stigma surrounding the disorder.” This was revised to “PTSD Awareness Month brings attention to the disorder” to better reflect the article’s content. In addition, the sentence “PTSD Awareness Month aims to bring about a better understanding to the disorder by generating a dialogue,” was edited in order to remove the phrase, “regarding its stigma.”
