Would You Know If You Had PTSD?

When you have a physical injury, you know there’s something wrong. If you break your ankle, you wouldn’t continue walking on it. There would be too much pain, and you’d go to a doctor for help right away.

But when you go through trauma, would you know if your feelings are normal, or something else? If you’re losing sleep, getting angry or anxious, or can’t concentrate, would you know when these symptoms are actually signs of posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD?

After a traumatic event, it’s normal to feel and act differently. These feelings can last up to several weeks or even months. After a few months, most people start to feel better. If these symptoms continue, you may have PTSD.

Just like a physical injury can get worse if it’s not treated, symptoms of PTSD can get worse if the underlying trauma isn’t treated.

Hear from Veterans about how they knew they had PTSD

If You Think You Have PTSD

If you think you might have PTSD, learn as much as you can about it:

• Talk to a trusted family member or friend.
• Speak with your family doctor or a mental health professional.
• If you’re a Veteran, pick up flyers and brochures from your local VA facility, Vet Center, or Veterans Service Organization.

You can also start with the National Center for PTSD’s online resources:

• See our Mobile apps and videos
• Take a self-screen for PTSD with a simple five-question checklist
• Learn about treatment options with the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid 

Just like a cast and crutches will help heal your broken ankle, PTSD treatment will help improve your symptoms.

More on: Do I Have PTSD?

Treating Veterans with PTSD? We can help. Any healthcare provider treating veterans can ask a question of one or our PTSD Consultation Program's expert clinicians.  Meet our consultants and get started.

PTSD Consultation Program Monthly Lecture Series

December 18, 2019 at 2 ET: Treating Comorbid PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder, Melanie Harned, Phd, ABPP.

• Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2pm ET
•  Subscribe to monthly emails to find out how to join live lectures.
• Registration is required to receive free continuing education credit for attending the live lecture.

To register for this lecture:

VA Providers: Register in TMS   |   Non-VA Providers: Register in TRAIN

Free Patient Education Materials

Our educational flyers, handouts, brochures and other print materials can be used to help educate patients and family members about PTSD. Health providers can distribute them to patients or family members to help someone with PTSD. You can now order our print materials for free from the US Government Publishing Office.

Longitudinal Investigation of Gender, Health, and Trauma 

National Center researchers aim to understand the effects of exposure to community violence and trauma on veterans’ physical and mental health, including its impact on the reproductive health of veterans in this national, multi-year study. To date, investigators have gathered data from over 3500 Veterans, about half of whom are women.

U.S. Postal Service Issuing Healing PTSD Semipostal Stamp

The semipostal stamp will help raise funds for those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being issued Dec. 2 at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square in Charlotte, NC. Read more.*