Governor Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed Monday, June 27, as "Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.” He wants South Dakota residents to consider causes and treatments of injuries and conditions that come after stressful events.
Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries are more commonly known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. While such conditions can happen to anyone who has gone through a difficult period, Veterans Administration psychologist, Doctor Kyle Lythgoe, says many military members have trouble asking for outside help, even if they really need it.
“They’re really trained to try to push away any of the limitations that come, and continue on and complete the mission,” says Lythgoe. So, to give up on something, or to relinquish that control to somebody else to handle is kinda counter to the culture.”
Lythgoe says anyone who has suffered severe emotional trauma should monitor themselves for up to 90 days afterward.
Lythgoe says, “In time, if they start thinking about it less, they get back to driving, they end up doing those things—if it continues to be that intense after that 30 to 90 days, that is when getting some help is going to be—certainly help them to not have that go into a long, chronic condition.”
Lythgoe adds those who get help with post-traumatic stress injuries have about a 50 to 80 percent recovery rate.