TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month and we’re talking about it on this episode of Tinker Talks.
PTSD Awareness Month is dedicated to spreading awareness to PTSD and to encourage those struggling with symptoms of PTSD to seek treatment.
Maj. Carla Turrentine, 72nd Medical Group mental health element chief discusses PTSD, its symptoms, prevalence in the military, treatment challenges and barriers to seeking help, and how the 72nd MDG supports personnel with mental illness.
PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event. People who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or physical or sexual assault may develop PTSD.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, some common symptoms of PTSD include things like sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, trouble concentrating, irritable behavior or forms of self-destructive behavior.
The Military Health System offers a variety of resources for those suffering from PTSD.
For veterans and their families, there is a hotline through the PTSD Foundation of America specialized in providing referrals, information, and resources. To reach the hotline, patients can call (877) 717-PTSD (7873). For more advice contact your local military Mental Health Clinic and check out the following resources:
In the latest edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast, Maj. Carla Turrentine, 72nd Medical Group mental health element chief talks about National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, its symptoms, its prevalence in the military, PTSD treatment challenges and barriers to seeking help, and how the 72nd MDG supports personnel with mental illness.
Listen to the latest Tinker Talks podcast here or on iTunes or Spotify.