Blog: Myths About PTSD
Introduction
Post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD) is a widely misunderstood mental health condition that affects millions of people globally. However, it is often surrounded by misconceptions that fuel myths about its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Equally, it is being misrepresented in media and public discussions, leading to stigma and discouraging individuals from seeking help. It is thus essential to gain a clearer understanding of what PTSD is and debunk the myths below:
1) PTSD only affects war veterans
PTSD is often perceived as a condition that affects only military veterans. However, it can impact anyone, regardless of occupation, race, gender, age, or background. Trauma may result from a variety of experiences, including armed conflict, natural disasters, personal loss, sexual assault, or other humanitarian crises.
2) Everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD.
Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Some individuals recover naturally, while others may need professional help. Certain aspects, such as past trauma, genetics, coping mechanisms, social support and various environmental factors, play a significant role in contributing to the likelihood of PTSD development.
3) PTSD develops immediately after trauma
A common myth is that PTSD always appears right after a traumatic event. In reality, symptoms can take time to emerge. Many individuals may seem to be coping well initially, only to experience delayed-onset PTSD later on. Flashbacks characterise this form of PTSD, nightmares, heightened alertness (also known as hypervigilance), and intense emotional distress.
4) PTSD is just about flashbacks and nightmares
While flashbacks and nightmares are common symptoms in PTSD, this condition can also involve other symptoms. These might include feeling emotionally shut down, disconnected from others, trouble focusing, avoiding reminders of the trauma, and changes in mood like irritability, anger, or sudden emotional shifts.
5) PTSD means you’re weak
There’s a harmful myth that only ‘weak’ individuals develop PTSD or that they should “just get over it”. In truth, PTSD is the brain’s way of responding to overwhelming experiences. It has nothing to do with personal strength or character, and the idea that it reflects weakness couldn’t be further from the truth.
6) People with PTSD are violent and dangerous.
There’s a common myth that individuals with PTSD are aggressive or unpredictable; however, most people living with this condition experience intense fear, anxiety, or low mood, not violence. Unfortunately, media portrayals often exaggerate or misrepresent PTSD, which leads to further misunderstanding and stigma.
7) PTSD can’t be treated
PTSD is a treatable condition. Many people can make significant improvements with the right kind of help, whether that’s therapy, medication, support groups or a combination of these. Practical therapy approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and other tailored strategies. While recovery looks different for everyone, significant healing is possible.
8) PTSD lasts forever
While PTSD is usually a long-lasting condition, and it takes time and work for people to heal, it doesn’t mean someone is stuck with it forever. Healing can take time, but many people can move forward, feel better, and rebuild their lives through ongoing support and the right coping tools.
Conclusion
PTSD is a complex condition that deserves understanding, compassion and proper treatment. The more we challenge myths and open honest conversations, the more we can support those affected and reduce stigma. If you or someone you know is facing PTSD, reaching out to a mental health professional can be the first step toward real healing.
You can reach out here if you think you can benefit from professional support on this issue.
References
- Brooks, S. K., Rubin, G. J., & Greenberg, N. (2018). Traumatic stress within disaster-exposed occupations: overview of the literature and suggestions for the management of traumatic stress in the workplace. British Medical Bulletin. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldy040
- Parrott, S. (2022). PTSD in the News: Media Framing, Stigma, and Myths About Mental Illness. Electronic News, 17(3), 181-197. https://doi.org/10.1177/19312431221146757 (Original work published 2023)
- Watson, P. (2019). PTSD as a Public Mental Health Priority. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(7). doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1032-1
- Zhu, Z., Eli, B., Chen, Y., & Liu, Z. (2024). Symptom structure of posttraumatic stress disorder in workplace trauma: A “distraction-avoidance” pattern. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 80, 490–502. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23626
