06/15/2026
June is PTSD Awareness Month
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are often discussed separately, but for many Veterans, service members, and first responders, they occur together.
Why?
The same event that causes a brain injury, such as a blast exposure, vehicle accident, fall, or other traumatic incident, can also be psychologically distressing. In addition, changes in the brain caused by TBI can affect emotional regulation, stress responses, and coping skills, making recovery even more complex.
TBI and PTSD also share many symptoms, including:
• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• Irritability and mood changes
• Anxiety and depression
• Sleep disturbances and fatigue
• Social withdrawal and feeling disconnected
At the same time, there are important differences.
Symptoms more commonly associated with TBI include headaches, dizziness, and sensitivity to light or noise. PTSD is more often characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and feelings of shame or guilt related to a traumatic experience.
Because these conditions can overlap so significantly, accurate diagnosis and integrated treatment are critical.
At the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, our interdisciplinary team addresses both the physical and psychological impacts of trauma, helping patients understand what they're experiencing and providing the tools needed to move forward.
Healing begins with understanding.
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