Invisible Wounds - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

I GAVE MY COUNTRY EVERYTHING
THE DAY I WENT TO WAR
I THOUGHT THE COST WOULD BE MY LIFE
BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE MUCH MORE

PTSD is a mental health disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Traumatic events can include but are not limited to, natural disasters, combat, terrorism, and serious accidents.
Individuals with PTSD may experience intense fear, helplessness, or horror during or after the traumatic event.
Symptoms of PTSD can include intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event, nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance of triggers related to the event, negative changes in mood or thought patterns, and hyperarousal or hypervigilance.
These symptoms can be severe and long-lasting and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.

Why PTSD gets overlooked because of the societal stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health.
Many people still believe that mental health disorders are a sign of weakness or that individuals with mental health issues should just “get over it.”
This attitude can prevent individuals from seeking help and can also make it difficult for individuals with PTSD to receive the support they need from their loved ones.
Another reason why posttraumatic stress gets overlooked is that the symptoms of PTSD can be invisible.
Unlike physical injuries, the wounds of trauma are often internal and can be difficult to recognize.
Individuals with PTSD may appear to be functioning well on the outside, but they may be struggling internally.