June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month.
PTSD is a mental health disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or series of events (i.e., natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat, rape/sexual assault, intimate partner violence and bullying).
“PTSD can occur in all people, of all ethnicities, nationalities or cultures and at any age. An estimated one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD. African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans/Alaska Natives are disproportionately affected and have higher rates of PTSD,” says Easterseals PORT Health Psychologist and Mental Health Clinical Director, Alexia Maneschi.
Individuals with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended that include:
- Reliving the event through flashbacks or nightmares.
- Feeling sad, fearful or angry.
- Feeling detached from other people.
- Avoiding situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event.
- Reacting negatively to something as ordinary like loud noises or an accidental touch.
Easterseals PORT Health offers a wide array of clinical services that can assist individuals with a PTSD diagnosis.
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their caregivers.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR) is psychotherapy treatment designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.
- Individual therapy and medication management helps to address PTSD symptoms.
- Intensive outpatient services take a team approach to treat adults such as our Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) and Community Support Team (CST).
- Intensive In-Home (IIH) and Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) help to treat children and adolescents with a PTSD diagnosis.
Learn more about our mental health services at eastersealsucp.com/mental-health-for-youth and eastersealsucp.com/mental-health-for-adults. For more immediate assistance, please call 800- 662-7119.
ABOUT US
Easterseals UCP and PORT Health are trustworthy, compassionate partners providing exceptional disability, behavioral health and addiction treatment services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,600 member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home, facility and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia. Learn more at eastersealsucp.com.
