Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), also known as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury, is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Despite increased awareness and understanding of PTSD in recent years, there are still several common misconceptions that persist. These myths can prevent individuals from seeking help or receiving the support they need. In this blog post, we will dispel five common myths about PTSD.
Myth #1: Only soldiers experience PTSD
While PTSD is often associated with combat veterans, it can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. This includes survivors of sexual assault, natural disasters, car accidents, and other traumatic events. In addition, it can also affect people who are expose to trauma through their jobs, such as medical workers, firefighters, and police officers. In fact, according to the National Center for PTSD, about 7-8% of the US population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
Myth #2: PTSD is a sign of weakness
PTSD is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a mental health condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their strength, resilience, or mental toughness. Seeking help for PTSD is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Myth #3: PTSD is rare and uncommon
PTSD is more common than you might think. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 3.6% of US adults experienced PTSD in the past year. While the prevalence of PTSD is higher among certain groups, such as veterans and first responders, anyone can develop PTSD after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
Myth #4: PTSD only affects the mind
PTSD can affect both the mind and body. Common symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts or memories, avoidance of triggers, negative changes in your mood or thoughts, and hyperarousal, which includes things like irritability, difficulty sleeping, startling easily, and/or feeling like you have to be on guard. These symptoms can also manifest as physical complaints such as headaches, stomach problems, and muscle tension. PTSD can also increase the risk of other physical and mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and cardiovascular issues.
Myth #5: PTSD is untreatable
PTSD is a highly treatable condition and not a life sentence. Treatment options for PTSD include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. When seeking therapy for PTSD, it is important to find a specialist who offers evidence-based treatment specifically designed to treat PTSD. There are several evidence-based therapies that have been shown to be effective in treating PTSD. These include cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and written exposure therapy (WET). With the right treatment and support, individuals with PTSD can reduce or eliminate their symptoms and lead happy, fulfilling lives.
Myths about PTSD can discourage people from seeking the help and support they need. They can also leave many people feeling hopeless and believing that they will have to live with significant PTSD symptoms for the rest of their lives. By better understanding PTSD and your treatment options, you can feel empowered to take that first step toward healing.