PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event.
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is an anxiety problem that develops in some people after extremely traumatic events, such as combat, crime, a natural disaster or any other significantly stressful event. People often associate PTSD with veterans who have experienced combat, but it can result from a wide range of traumatic experiences and impacts an estimated 8 million Americans each year.
People with PTSD may relive the event via intrusive memories, flashbacks and nightmares, or avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma. They can have anxious feelings they didn’t have before that are so intense it disrupts their lives.
It’s not uncommon for law enforcement, first responders and health care workers to experience stressful events in their line of work that can lead to PTSD symptoms. Many people who experience terrifying or traumatic events may have temporary difficulty coping, but if symptoms continue to worsen or last for months or even years, you may be experiencing PTSD.
Prioritizing mental health is as important as physical health. If you had a broken leg, would you splint it yourself and wait for it to get better, or go to the hospital?
Chances are, you’d go to the hospital. Well, the same logic holds true if you have symptoms of PTSD – and help is available.
If you or someone you love needs to talk, Colorado Crisis Line is free, confidential and available 24/7: call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255.
