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As our understanding of PTSD improves, it’s important to dispel outdated beliefs. Here are some common myths and the facts behind them.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can present itself in many ways, and no one is truly resistant to developing mental conditions related to trauma at some point in their lives. Knowing the facts about PTSD can help you understand yourself and others who struggle with this condition.
At Brain Revive Psychiatry, LLC, in Lakewood, Colorado, Alison Burton, DNP, PMHNP, treats teens and adults with PTSD, helping them learn to manage their conditions and live happy, fulfilling lives. Here’s what she wants you to know about PTSD.
Myths and facts about PTSD
When dealing with trauma, misleading information can be dangerous and detrimental to recovery. Whether you’re the one struggling, or you’re supporting someone else who has PTSD, it’s important to approach the topic with care and compassion.
Here are four myths about post-traumatic stress disorder, and the facts to disprove them.
Myth: PTSD goes away with time
Fact: While there’s a grain of truth to the phrase “time heals all wounds,” trauma is not a physical ailment that your body can simply heal. People carry trauma for their entire lives, and treatment for PTSD focuses on lightening the burden so patients can continue to move forward and recover.
Myth: PTSD is caused by mental weakness
Fact: Everyone engages with trauma differently. While one person might be able to process a traumatic event and move on, that doesn’t make them stronger — it just makes them less affected.
There are many reasons someone might develop PTSD where another doesn’t, including previous trauma, a lack of support, their brain chemistry, and their personality. It’s not an indication of their strength of mind or character.
Myth: Veterans are the most affected by PTSD
Fact: While “shell shock” experienced by soldiers formed the initial basis of our understanding for PTSD, soldiers aren’t the only vulnerable group. Women and children are even more likely to develop trauma caused by domestic and sexual abuse, yet they’re often overlooked in discussions involving post-traumatic stress.
Myth: PTSD manifests immediately after trauma
Fact: Not all cases of PTSD are the same. It’s not unusual for people to appear or feel fine immediately after a traumatic event, only to recognize symptoms of PTSD in the months or years following.
It’s also common for people in ongoing traumatic situations to repress symptoms in order to survive. For example, an abused spouse or child might not begin experiencing PTSD until they feel safe enough to begin processing that trauma.
When to consult a specialist
When dealing with PTSD, it’s important to find the correct mental health professional and have a support team in place. At Brain Revive Psychiatry, LLC, Dr. Alison Burton tailors treatment and therapy to each patient’s unique needs. You might be recommended for therapy, medication, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to help you move past the troubling symptoms of PTSD.
To learn more about PTSD and mental health, call 303-578-8949, or request an appointment online.