NW Illinois News

Illinois State House District 74 candidate Bradley Fritts emphasized the importance of recognizing June as National PTSD Awareness Month. "June is National PTSD Awareness Month," said Fritts, who will face Democrat David Simpson in the general election. "This month you can learn more about this condition and advocate for those who have been diagnosed and affected by PTSD."

"June is National PTSD Awareness Month," said Fritts, according to Facebook. "PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, affects an estimated 9 million Americans who have been exposed to life-threatening and traumatic events. This month you can learn more about this condition and advocate for those who have been diagnosed and affected by PTSD."

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is caused by a traumatic event, but symptoms may not manifest immediately. According to the Mayo Clinic, they could start within a month of the incident or appear years later. Symptoms vary among individuals and can change over time. The Mayo Clinic notes that people may experience nightmares or flashbacks; those with PTSD may avoid places, activities, and people that remind them of the event. They may have memory problems or feel emotionally numb, be easily frightened, engage in self-destructive behavior, or have trouble sleeping.

Screenshot of Rep. Brad Fritts' June 1 Facebook post. | State Representative Bradley Fritts Facebook page

The Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that signs of PTSD in children differ from those in adults. For instance, children under six may become upset if trusted adults and family members are not close by; children aged 7 to 11 may have nightmares or exhibit irritability and aggression. They might act out their trauma during play. Symptoms for preteens and teenagers are similar to those in adults and may include withdrawal, recklessness, running away, depression, or anxiety.

There are evidence-based treatments for PTSD that assist veterans and others suffering from the condition. These treatments include cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. CPT encourages patients to work toward changing their thoughts through cognitive behavioral therapy. PE aims to make memories of traumatic events less fear-evoking by having patients talk through their trauma with therapists. EMDR helps change how patients react to memories of trauma.

Other treatments include present-centered therapy, theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation, Prazosin, and individual placement and support.

Bradley Fritts is the State Representative for District 74 and took office in January 2023. He is a lifelong resident of Illinois; when he’s not in Springfield, he works as a substitute teacher and farms with his family. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and consumer economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.