In a country where many people have been exposed to violence, crime, domestic abuse, road accidents and other traumatic experiences, understanding PTSD is more important than ever.
June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shine a spotlight on a mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world, including many South Africans.
PTSD, short for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event such as a hijacking, violent crime, assault, car accident, abuse or another life-threatening situation.
Despite growing awareness around mental health, PTSD remains widely misunderstood. Many people still associate it exclusively with soldiers returning from war.
Others believe it is something a person should simply be able to move on from with enough time.
