Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: What You Can Do

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder often remains undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Because of mental health stigmas, gaps in medical education, and the political struggle in the VA system, many people are not properly diagnosed with PTSD in a timely manner. How can this be remedied? Easily: Spread the word! There are many public and personal campaigns in which you can participate to build the PTSD profile.

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Launch a PTSD campaign in your community

Download our free PTSD Profile Flyer part 1 and PTSD Profile Flyer part 2. Give it to all of the medical practitioners in your geography. This includes hospitals, general practitioners, internists, psychologists, psychiatrists, specialists, school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors and clergy.

PTSD symptoms often present psychosomatically and in conjunction with other diagnoses. This means there are millions of people every year seeking medical help for symptoms that doctors cannot diagnose or cure. Also, many people seek treatment for mental health issues (such as Bipolar Disorder) that are concealing the underlying PTSD presence.

The problem is that most professionals not specifically trained in psychological trauma are not well-versed in how PTSD presents. They are not aware of how the mind affects the body or how the body effects the mind. For example, the emotional imprint of trauma leads to stress that leads to physiological changes that then affect emotional stability. The Yin and Yang of PTSD make a very closed and complex circle that is not well enough perceived by the medical community.

By spreading material you can raise the level of awareness at the same time you educate people beyond the scope of their training and experience.

PTSD and The Spoken Word

Many local outlets provide great speaking opportunities for us to educate our communities about PTSD. Approach your local library, community organizations, rotary clubs, hospitals, mental health support groups, and mental health advocacy organizations with ideas for presenting an overview of PTSD and its relevance in society.

  •  For a list of national mental health organizations with local chapters click here.
  •  Not sure how to present? Download our free Speaking About PTSD outline to give yourself a presentation overview and script.

PTSD and The Written Word

If you have a flair for words, begin your own PTSD awareness blog. Or, write articles for magazines, local and national newspapers, web sites and e-zines. Possible topics include:typing-bwr

  • PTSD Symptoms
  • PTSD Causes
  • PTSD Statistics
  • PTSD Effects
  • PTSD in the military
  • PTSD in children
  • PTSD in adolescents
  • PTSD in adults
  • PTSD: A Survivors Perspective
  • How to Cope with PTSD Symptoms
  • How to Educate Friends and Family About PTSD
  • How to Help a Survivor Heal
  • How to Live with the Past When It Intrudes on the Present

There is virtually no PTSD topic that has been covered too much. Based on your personal experience, education and research put your thoughts, ideas, opinions and suggestions out into the world!

PTSD and The Advocacy Community

PTSD in politics is a hot topic right now. With an estimated 19% of our military returning from Iraq and Afghanistan already displaying PTSD symptoms (and an estimated 30% who will eventually struggle), there is a real need for a campaign for veteran care. Unfortunately, the camps are divided on who should receive what benefits and how much. Many campaigns have already been launched by states, congressman and advocate organizations. Lend your pipes to their cause. Here are some worthy organizations to contact in this area:                                         

citicorp-sometimes-alwaysPTSD in the Workplace

The stigma of mental health in the workplace is especially tough. Many people who struggle with PTSD, however, can and often do effectively hold a job and perform at high levels of corporate success.

In order to expand PTSD acceptance in the work environment, it helps for the corporate community to understand what PTSD is and how it manifests – 1) so that the stigma is reduced, 2) so that employers understand when – as everyone does – someone with PTSD has a bad day.

By educating your work group and human resource personnel about PTSD you can help bring PTSD not only to corporate awareness but also give information to colleagues who may be able to use it in their personal lives. Our free PTSD Profile flyer is an excellent resource to give to management and human resources, using as copy in company newsletters, and posting in public spaces.

PTSD in Society

An essential place to raise PTSD awareness is on the personal level. How we communicate about our PTSD diagnosis, experience and healing has a large impact on the support we find from family, lovers, partners, colleagues and friends. Our blog, Making the Shift, has an extensive series about how to approach spreading the word in our personal world. For a cache of posts  on how to educate others about PTSD click here. To learn about starting your own support group visit Sidran for a free download.

Add Your Knowledge to Heal My PTSD

This web site was developed for the PTSD community, to heal the PTSD community and continues to evolve with help from the PTSD community. Let’s keep it growing by pooling our knowledge! If you have sites, information, blogs or other educational PTSD resources you’d like to share, please send them to us!

For more ideas about contributing to this web site, our blog, building PTSD awareness, starting an awareness campaign, or joining the Heal My PTSD, LLC, awareness army, Contact us.

(Photos: iQoncept, Le Korrigan, //bwr, Sometimes Always)