June is PTSD Awareness Month: Let’s Break the Silence

June is PTSD Awareness Month, and at ptsdNC.com, we're shining a light on the reality of trauma and healing. PTSD affects millions of Americans—not just combat veterans. This month, we're raising awareness to help break the stigma and encourage hope, healing, and help.

PTSD Is More Than a Combat Injury

PTSD can happen to anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. While military service can be a cause, it is not the only one. Many veterans develop PTSD from sources beyond ground combat—for example, PTSD from witnessing a helicopter crash, PTSD in airborne and paratrooper veterans, or PTSD from submarine service. Many civilians also carry deep emotional scars.

Here are common causes of PTSD (this list is not exhaustive):

• Serious car accidents
• Domestic violence or childhood abuse
• Physical assault
• Emergency responders (firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement) witnessing severe injury or death
• Surviving or witnessing natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods) or human-made disasters
• Threatened or actual sexual violence
• Witnessing traumatic events happen to others

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

According to the DSM-5, PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms last longer than one month, cause significant distress, and impair daily functioning. Common symptoms include:

• Intrusive thoughts (flashbacks, nightmares)
• Avoidance of reminders of trauma
• Negative mood and cognition changes (guilt, numbness, shame)
• Heightened arousal (irritability, insomnia, hypervigilance)

If this sounds familiar—you are not alone.

Help is Here: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support

I’m Dr. Jessica Allen, a psychiatrist and VA-trained specialist. I provide compassionate, personalized treatment for PTSD, including:

• Medication management
• Evidence-based talk therapy
• Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and PTSD nexus letters for VA disability claims

If you’re a veteran, I can help you build the medical evidence you need to support your claim, including evidence to help support a PTSD rating increase or a claim for a condition secondary to PTSD.

Veterans: Book a Free Phone Consultation

If you’re struggling with trauma or PTSD symptoms, please don’t suffer in silence. Healing is possible.

Veterans can book a FREE phone consultation today: https://intakeq.com/booking/ioezdg

You’ve already fought for your country—now let us help you fight for your peace.

Final Thoughts

You are not broken. You are not alone. PTSD may be a part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define your future.

Reach out, reclaim your strength, and let’s start your healing journey today.

Veterans can book a FREE phone consultation today: https://intakeq.com/booking/ioezdg