During the month of June, we formally recognize Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, through the codification of PTSD Awareness Month. As a lab that studies trauma and posttraumatic stress in youth, we wanted to take this time to talk a little more in depth about what these experiences are and how you can get support for yourself or your loved ones.

What is trauma?

Trauma is defined as actual or threatened death, serious illness or injury, or sexual violence that one directly experiences, witnesses, or may learn about. Traumatic events were originally conceptualized as those experiences that are so extreme and outside the realm of daily life that they are unique and uncommon experiences. Unfortunately, however, decades worth of research has shown that:

• Trauma is pervasive

  • ~20% of youth in the general population experience a traumatic event before age 18

  • ~90% of the general population experiences trauma across the life course

• Trauma is not just experienced by military service members

  • Women experience equivalent rates of exposure as men, and transgender individuals are at increased risk of exposure due to identity-related violence and discrimination

  • Youth in war zones, large cities, and youth in the juvenile incarceration system experience trauma at higher rates compared to youth across the general population

The good news? The majority of people who experience trauma are resilient, and we can learn from those individuals to help support others who may struggle following a traumatic event.

What is posttraumatic stress disorder?

Posttraumatic stress disorder reflects a constellation of symptoms that cause significant distress or impair daily functioning for a prolonged period of time after the traumatic event has occurred. Symptoms include:

• Re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares, or unwanted reminders of the event

• Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the traumatic event—to the point where you are unable to function in your daily life or experience significant distress

• Changes in mood or world view, including feeling down, having a hard time focusing, or believing that people are or the world is inherently bad

• Feeling constantly alert, aroused, or edge—you may be particularly jumpy and startle easily, or you may always find yourself ‘looking over your shoulder’ on the lookout for potential danger

Some individuals also experience feelings of being outside of their body or being in a constant haze.

These symptoms can be experienced by both youth and adults. Importantly, some of these behaviors can be adaptive in the context of trauma—like being alert for danger when in a war zone. However, it is when these behaviors become maladaptive in the context of safety and impairing/distressing that we think about how we can help intervene and reduce the burden of these symptoms.

What support is available in the aftermath of trauma and for PTSD?

Over the years, a number of interventions have become available to support individuals with PTSD. Each individual is unique, so consult with your physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist to find what is best for you or your child’s unique situation. The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies recommends the following evidence-based strategies for treating PTSD:

• Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy or prolonged exposure therapy

• Cognitive processing therapy

• Pharmacotherapies like serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors

Even if you do not have a diagnosis of PTSD, therapy can still be a valuable tool to process lived experiences. Additionally, building your coping toolkit and helping support during so in the lives of those around you is always beneficial.

Try these daily practices to build your coping toolkit!

• Find exercise that you enjoy, like walking, running, biking, swimming, hiking, practicing yoga, or dancing

• Set aside 1 minute before each meeting or new task that you have in your day to take a deep breath and reset from what may have come earlier in the day

• Call friends or family members while on walk, driving (hands-free!), or relaxing outside—social support is a powerful aspect of resilience associated with positive mental and physical health outcomes!

Do you, or someone you know need support? Check out these resources: 

• American Psychological Association Find a Therapist Tool

• American Psychiatric Association Find a Therapist Tool

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Veterans Crisis Line

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

With the right support system, individuals affected by trauma can experience posttraumatic growth, build resilience, and strengthen their ability to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health struggles. They can also be a light for others, including the young people and peers in their lives.

YOU ARE RESILIENT; NOW GO SHOW THE WORLD!

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