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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day June 27

  • Published
  • By by Staff Sgt. Laura Montgomery
  • 145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

In light of the upcoming June 27, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day, it is important to mark the difference between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder as, over time, the difference has become muddled.

Before understanding the difference between what a disorder is and what is not, post-traumatic stress should be clearly defined. Post-Traumatic stress can come from witnessing or experiencing a life-threatening, dangerous, shocking, or scary event. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, anger, insomnia, anxiety, nightmares, interpersonal difficulties, and pain.

The difference between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder, is the fact that symptoms of post-traumatic stress generally last for a short amount of time, for example, one to two months. Post-Traumatic stress disorder generally lasts for a longer period of time and the symptoms are heightened.

If you find yourself exhibiting these symptoms, or you witness them in someone else, arming yourself with as much information as possible is key to combatting the root of the post-traumatic stress. Military members and their families are subject to an abundance of resources to help in the event that post-traumatic stress becomes evident. Some of these resources include, but are not limited to, Military One Source 1-800-342-9647, Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, Veteran Combat Call Center 1-877-927-8387, and Veterans Centers across the globe which can be located online at www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp.

If post-traumatic stress becomes a disorder and/or goes untreated, it can be life-threatening so it is very important that if you witness post-traumatic stress in someone else, don’t be a bystander, don’t assume someone else will take notice and take care of it.