Myths About PTSD And How To Address Them

Mental health stigmas and myths are often spread in popular media or society, leading to misconceptions about mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Because myths can lead to further stigma, individuals may find it beneficial to educate themselves on the statistics and why certain myths are untrue. 

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What is post-traumatic stress disorder? 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts those who have experienced a traumatic event. Anyone who goes through trauma or witnesses it happening to someone else may develop PTSD. However, note everyone who has been in a traumatic event develops the condition. Symptoms like avoidance, emotional challenges, and intrusive thoughts can occur. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder may affect about 6% of people in the US, according to the National Center for PTSD. However, various myths about PTSD may perpetuate misconceptions about people with this condition. In some cases, individuals with PTSD may internalize myths, impacting well-being, mental health, and self-esteem. 

Common myths about PTSD

The US Department of Veterans Affairs VA News page aims to address some of the common myths associated with PTSD. VA News notes the following misconceptions about PTSD. 

Myth: PTSD only affects military veterans and people who have gone to war or combat zones

PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Traumatic events can include but are not limited to natural disasters, physical and sexual assault, serious injuries, and other extremely disturbing experiences that place one's life or personal integrity at risk. Such experiences can occur at any point in one's life, from childhood to adulthood. 

While some military veterans develop PTSD, others do not. In some cases, a person may not have experienced the event first-hand but may still exhibit PTSD symptoms. 

Myth: PTSD occurs immediately after the experience of trauma

There are many responses to trauma, affecting each person differently. For example, one person may have milder symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, that can gradually worsen and interfere with daily functioning. Another person may not have PTSD symptoms until months or years after the experience. Suddenly, they may be affected by a quick startle response or the experience of intrusive memories in the form of flashbacks and other symptoms. 

Myth: PTSD is a sign of weakness

PTSD is not a sign of weakness, and anyone can develop it. There are many contributing factors to the development of PTSD, including genetic predisposition, the type of trauma experienced, the duration of the traumatic event or multiple events, previous exposure to trauma (such as childhood trauma), and a lack of social support.

People with PTSD are often challenged to meet the demands of daily life while contending with distressing memories, feelings, and sensations, which can often be seen as a sign of strength. Those who seek treatment for PTSD can learn tools for building resilience and reframing thoughts and experiences, as well as coping strategies for managing symptoms. 

Myth: The experience of trauma automatically leads to PTSD

People respond to trauma in various ways. Distress is a common response to trauma, which tends to decrease over time. A person may develop PTSD when their reactions to traumatic stress don't decrease over time or worsen. However, there is no one defining factor that ensures one will develop the condition. 

Myth: PTSD is not a normal response to traumatic stress 

There is no right or wrong way to respond to a traumatic event or series of events, whether there is a risk of developing PTSD or not. Some people may also experience complex PTSD (C-PTSD) concerning long-term or recurring traumatic events. Symptoms of complex PTSD include finding it difficult to connect with others and intense feelings of shame, low self-worth, and guilt. Some specialists may also view symptoms of PTSD as “a normal adaptation to the experience of abnormal events.”

PTSD symptoms

Symptoms of PTSD can vary widely among individuals. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of PTSD often begin within three months of the traumatic experience and must last more than one month to meet the criteria for PTSD. The symptoms tend to be severe enough to interfere with daily functioning but must not be related to other mental health conditions. However, some people with PTSD can experience co-morbid conditions, such as substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. Symptoms of PTSD include the following.

Re-experiencing symptoms 

People with PTSD may have a sense that they are “re-experiencing” a trauma via flashbacks, dreams, nightmares, and intrusive memories and images. These experiences can provoke a range of feelings, including fear, anger, shame, and guilt. Distressing physiological responses, such as sweating, heart palpitations, and nausea, may accompany these experiences. 

Avoidance symptoms 

People with PTSD may avoid reminders, including people, places, and other stimuli or situations that can summon memories of the event. A person may also experience emotional numbing, which may relate to avoiding addressing uncomfortable emotions, causing detachment or a disconnect.  

Arousal and sensitivity symptoms 

Arousal symptoms may include a sense of being “on edge” or hypervigilant in expectation of a threat, being easily startled, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. Arousal symptoms are often frequent or constant, which may add to stress and interfere with a person's ability to function. Reactivity symptoms may include engaging in self-destructive or risky behavior or lashing out in anger in response to irritation and stress. 

Cognition and mood symptoms 

Cognition and mood symptoms, such as difficulty recalling the main features of the traumatic event, social isolation, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, ongoing negative emotions, and pessimism about oneself and the state of the world, can also occur due to PTSD. 

For someone to be diagnosed with PTSD, they usually must experience at least the following:

• One symptom of re-experiencing the event
• One avoidance symptom
• Two arousal and reactivity symptoms
• Two cognition and mood symptoms

Treatment for PTSD 

Several approaches for relieving PTSD symptoms are available. Treatment tends to include psychotherapy and, in some cases, medication. Those who are experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or panic disorder, may find that addressing these conditions may also aid recovery after trauma. 

The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends the following psychotherapy approaches to address PTSD: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
• Cognitive therapy
• Prolonged exposure (also known as exposure therapy)

Other therapeutic approaches that may be helpful include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and brief eclectic psychotherapy. In addition to therapy, seeking social support may be beneficial. Support groups and community centers may have resources available.   

Therapy to address PTSD

PTSD symptoms can often be successfully managed with the support of a therapist who specializes in trauma and PTSD. However, some people may struggle to attend in-person therapy due to barriers like cost, distance, or symptom severity. In these cases, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may be more accessible. 

Online therapy can be convenient for those who would rather speak with a licensed therapist from home. Sessions can be conducted via phone, video conferencing, and live in-app messages. In addition, online platforms may offer resources like journaling prompts and support groups. 

One British study using cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for addressing mild-to-moderate PTSD examined the effectiveness of online versus in-person therapy. The results of the study, which involved 196 people, indicated that "PTSD symptoms improved equally after online or face-to-face treatment at 16 weeks."