5 PTSD Myths Busted!
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common in the United States with about 8 million Americans presenting with symptoms.
Trauma can result in a person developing PTSD. PTSD is most commonly associated with veterans in relation to war but it can also be due to being in severe accident/s, abuse, and with assault survivors.
Witnessing something traumatic can also cause PTSD symptoms to develop.
Those who experience trauma and symptoms of PTSD can find it intimidating to ask for help, this might be due to the social stigma, as well as the concern about opening up old wounds or memories.
Between Two Gardens Psychiatry understands that seeking help needs to be normalized; we all have a mental health and the status of our mental state is vital for living a good life.
They’re are a lot of misinformation and myths about PTSD making it challenging for those that need assistance.
*Interested in learning more about the medical definition of PTSD? Read this page from Mayo Clinic.
Lets talk about some truths about PTSD:
Myth 1: “It’s all in your head” aka “its not real”
Truth – PTSD is a demonstrable and broadly researched health problem.
Choose a Category
Share This Page
Myth 2: “PTSD happens only to those who have been to war”
Truth – many veterans do experience PTSD but many others develop PTSD symptoms through trauma unrelated to military service.
Myth 3: “PTSD makes people violent”
Truth – PTSD can cause some individuals to react aggressively due to feeling fearful or under distress. PTSD does not make someone inherently violent.
A common symptom of PTSD is reliving the traumatic event which can manifest due to triggers like loud noises, lights, and specific scenarios – which in a minority of cases can cause people to react aggressively but this is a fear reaction rather than a desire for violence.
Myth 4: “PTSD is just being afraid”
Truth – PTSD is caused by trauma and often (but not always) results in a hypersensitivity to the specifics of the original traumatizing event.
This manifests in ways specific to the original trauma – car accident survivors might find themselves unable to ride in vehicles or even be in small spaces, whereas someone who experienced physical violence may be wary of wide-open spaces or people who resemble the perpetrator.
Myth 5: “There’s no treatment for PTSD”
Truth – with the right combination of therapies and coping mechanisms, symptoms can improve. Some of these therapies include EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, talk therapy, and medication.
Expand your understanding of PTSD, look into how to support those with PTSD, or perhaps getting support would be beneficial and could be life changing if your are some who struggles with these symptoms.
Get in touch and schedule a free alignment call today.