POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER/DEPRESSION WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU!!

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a illness that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as: - Military combat - Natural disasters - Terrorist incidents - Serious accidents WHAT IS PTSD

SYMPTOMS OF PTSD FLASHBACKS NIGHTMARES POOR SLEEPING HABITS POOR CONCENTRATION ANXIETY ANGER IRRITABLE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM OTHERS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO EXPERIENCE FEELINGS FEELING WATCHFUL AROUND YOU

For most people, PTSD starts within about 3 months of the terrible event. For some people, signs of PTSD don’t show up until years later. Some people get better within 6 months, while others may have the illness for much longer WHEN DOES PTSD START AND HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

About 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD. An additional 20 to 25 percent have had partial PTSD at some point in their lives. How common is PTSD?

Another common problem after traumatic events is Depression

PROBLEMS MAY PUSH YOU INTO DEPRESSION

WHAT IS DEPRESSION Everyone feels sad on occasion. Depression is when the sadness lasts two weeks or longer and it interferes with daily living

DO YOU FEEL: OVERWHELMED RESTLESS HOPELESS HELPLESS SLOWED DOWN WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY FALLING OR STAYING ASLEEP DO YOU HAVE A POOR APPETITE

YOU MAY NEED HELP TO GET OUT

TALK TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHAT CAN YOU DO TO FIGHT DEPRESSION?

RESENTMENT, CRITICISM, GUILT AND FEAR CAN GET IN THE WAY OF RECOVERY – BE WILLING TO FORGIVE

REMEMBER THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES, GIVE YOURSELF THE PROPER HELP AND TIME TO HEAL

RELATIONSHIP CPR ACCEPTANCE – LOVE IS A TRUE GIFT ACCEPT OTHERS – ACCEPT YOURSELF C ommunicate in an honest open manner, really Listening, avoiding the blame game P lay together, have fun, sense of humor, give Up the desire to be right, rather be compassionate R espect and value yourself and others, be Responsible for your own behavior attitude and Happiness.

DUTY CHAPLAIN(704) FAMILY SUPPORT (704) ASAP ADCO(704) DIVISION SURGEON (704) REACH FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP

PHOTOS COURTESY OF B/203 FSB SGT ROUSSEAU DEVELOPED BY: FT. BENNING ARMY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM MR. OSKAR H. SCHLOMER, IBTC