June is ptsd awareness month; atlanta veterans share their stories | va atlanta health care | veterans affairs

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June is PTSD Awareness Month, and two Atlanta Veteran recently shared their stories in hopes of bringing year-round attention on how the disorder affects those around us, particularly


service members. One Veteran, who served in the Army for four years as an infantryman, said he now suffers from PTSD after spending time in Iraqi war zones. "PTSD can significantly


impact those experiencing it, affecting every aspect of a person's life, but it’s important to know that there is always someone out there to reach out to for help, like Atlanta VA


doctors or fellow veterans,” he said. According to a retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant, asking for help is often very hard because some service members don’t want others to know


that they are getting treatment to solve their mental and emotional issues. “For those who served, there is a lot of stigma associated with PTSD treatment since it can be perceived as a sign


of weakness, “ he said. “However, the good news is that Veterans dealing with PTSD do not have to suffer silently because treatment is available, it works, and it's within reach."


Both Veterans had some advice for others suffering from PTSD:  Find something that works, don’t stay silent, and acknowledge the problem.  Learn more about the signs and symptoms associated


with PTSD by visiting: Promotional Materials - PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov)