June marks PTSD Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge the deep, lasting effects of trauma and to honor the resilience of those living with it.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. While PTSD was first widely recognized in military veterans, it affects far more than those who’ve served in combat. Trauma can stem from abuse, accidents, violence, loss, or prolonged stress, and it impacts people from all walks of life.
PTSD Awareness Month is about bringing those stories to light. It’s about recognizing that PTSD is common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.
What Is PTSD?
During PTSD Awareness Month, it’s important to understand that PTSD is a condition that occurs when the mind and body remain stuck in a state of threat long after the danger has passed. The nervous system becomes dysregulated, and the brain struggles to distinguish safety from risk. This can make daily life, even simple, everyday moments, feel overwhelming or unsafe.
Common symptoms of PTSD may include:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Avoidance of certain people, places, or reminders of the trauma
- Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
- Emotional numbness or disconnection
- Mood swings, irritability, or difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping or frequent anxiety
Not everyone experiences PTSD in the same way. For some, symptoms show up immediately. For others, they appear months or even years after the traumatic event. And many live with trauma-related distress without ever recognizing it as PTSD.
PTSD by the Numbers
One of the goals of PTSD Awareness Month is to highlight just how widespread—and often invisible—this condition truly is.
According to the National Center for PTSD:
- About 6% of U.S. adults will experience PTSD at some point in their lives
- An estimated 12 million adults in the U.S. are living with PTSD each year
- Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD
- PTSD can affect people of any age, background, or profession
It’s also common for PTSD to co-occur with other mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, making it even more important to seek care that addresses the full picture.
Why PTSD Awareness Matters
Despite how common PTSD is, it’s often misunderstood. Many people delay seeking help because they believe their trauma “wasn’t bad enough,” or they worry others won’t understand. Others avoid treatment out of fear that talking about the past will make things worse.
But healing doesn’t require re-living your trauma, and it doesn’t mean you have to “get over it” on a timeline. What it does require is safety, support, and a space where you can be seen without judgment.
PTSD Awareness Month serves as a powerful reminder that no one should have to suffer in silence—and that support and healing are always possible.
What Does PTSD Treatment Look Like?
One of the messages of PTSD Awareness Month is that healing is personal—treatment is not one-size-fits-all, and it doesn’t have to mean retelling every painful detail.
Effective treatments may include:
- Trauma-informed therapy (such as EMDR or somatic-based modalities)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for building emotional regulation tools
- Medication, when needed, to support mood, anxiety, and sleep
- Mind-body approaches like yoga, breathwork, or neurofeedback
- Support groups or peer connections for those who benefit from shared experience
At Scottsdale Providence Recovery Center, we recognize the importance of treating the whole person, not just symptoms. For individuals living with PTSD and co-occurring concerns like substance use, our integrative model provides structured, trauma-responsive care.
You’re Not Alone
If you or someone you love is living with the effects of trauma, there is help — and there is hope. PTSD may change how you see the world, but it doesn’t define who you are.
You don’t need to prove that your trauma was “bad enough” to deserve support. If it still hurts, if it still impacts your life, that’s enough.
Reach out to us here to learn more about trauma-informed care at Scottsdale Providence Recovery Center. We’re here to listen, support, and walk with you — whenever you’re ready.