Breaking the Silence During PTSD Awareness Month

drmorvwenduncan
Jun 27
3 min read

June is PTSD Awareness Month—a time to come together to raise awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, educate our communities, and shine a light on recovery. In this article, we outline what PTSD is, what causes PTSD and the evidence-based therapies to support recovery.

A Brief History of PTSD Awareness Day

PTSD Awareness Day, observed annually on June 27th, was established in honour of Staff Sergeant Joe Biel, a U.S. National Guard member who died by suicide in 2007 after struggling with undiagnosed PTSD. His birthday was chosen to mark a day of recognition, awareness, and advocacy. What began as a single commemorative day has since evolved into PTSD Awareness Month, observed globally to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and ensure better access to support. In the UK, research shows that 10% of people will experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at some point in their lifetime – but it’s estimated that up to 70% of people with PTSD & C-PTSD do not receive any professional help at all.

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. These events may be one-off (such as a car accident or assault) or prolonged and repeated (such as childhood abuse or domestic violence). PTSD is not a sign of weakness—it is a natural human response to overwhelming stress and an abnormal situation.

What Causes PTSD?

Trauma can come in many forms, including:

Military combat and service-related trauma
Childhood abuse or neglect
Sexual assault or gender-based violence
Medical trauma (e.g., ICU stays, cancer treatment)
Natural disasters, accidents, or witnessing violence
Sudden bereavement or loss

While not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, certain factors—such as lack of support, repeated exposure, or early-life adversity—can increase vulnerability. PTSD and Complex-PTSD can occur across the lifespan, in children and adults.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms can affect thoughts, emotions, the body, and relationships. According to the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision), PTSD is diagnosed when an individual experiences:

Re-experiencing the traumatic event in the present. This can include flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories.
Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, or situations associated with the trauma
A persistent sense of current threat, typically manifested by hyper-vigilance, heightened anxiety, irritability or difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Symptoms can also include emotional numbing, feelings of guilt or shame, difficulty concentrating, and withdrawal from relationships.

Some individuals may also develop Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), particularly after prolonged or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse or intimate partner violence. C-PTSD includes the core PTSD symptoms along with disturbances in self-organisation, including:

Persistent negative self-perception. This may include beliefs relating to blame, failure and feeling of guilt and shame relating to the traumatic event
Difficulty managing emotions (such as signfiicant irritability or anger, a numbness or lack of feeling)
Difficulties in relationships and trust

PTSD can also be profoundly influenced by identity and context. For example:

Military veterans may face moral injury, survivor’s guilt, or complex emotional responses related to combat exposure.
Survivors of gender-based violence may also face stigma, fear of disclosure, or additional psychological harm if they were not believed or supported.
Children and young people may display symptoms such as repetitive play with themes of trauma, regressive behaviours such as bedwetting or excessive clinginess, and behavioural changes or 'outbursts'.

Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD

Recovery from PTSD is possible. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence provide clinical guidelines, based on the best research evidence. This includes:

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT): Helps individuals reframe unhelpful beliefs, gradually face avoided memories or situations, and regain a sense of control.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): A structured therapy that uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) to help reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity.
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET): Often used for those who have experienced multiple traumas, including refugees or individuals affected by war.
Play Therapy and Parent-Child Work: For children, therapeutic play and family-focused interventions help them process trauma in developmentally appropriate ways.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT): These approaches help with the shame, guilt, and identity difficulties common in Complex PTSD.

You Are Not Alone

If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma or PTSD, we want you to know: there is hope, and there is help. At The Lotus Psychology Practice, our team of HCPC-registered Clinical and Counselling Psychologists are highly experienced in supporting individuals across the lifespan with PTSD, Complex PTSD, and trauma-related difficulties. Whether you're a parent seeking support for your child, a veteran navigating military trauma, or a survivor of gender-based violence—we are here to support your journey to healing.