At Spring Garden Counseling Inc., we have extensive experience in working with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. We also know that many of our patients dealing with post-traumatic symptoms, as well as the patients’ loved ones, can often harbor mistaken beliefs about this disorder and how it works. In this article, we will go over a few of the most common myths about PTSD and replace them with factual information.
- Myth: Only Soldiers Get PTSD – While it is true that what we now call PTSD was first identified in soldiers returning from combat, psychologists have since learned that these symptoms can occur in a wide range of people for an even wider range of reasons. People who have dealt with trauma of any kind, such as natural disasters, toxic relationships, or even abusive work environments, can develop PTSD.
- Myth: Everyone Who Experiences Trauma Will Get PTSD – Another common misunderstanding about PTSD is that anyone who goes through a traumatic experience will develop its symptoms. This is due to a misconception about PTSD and other disorders’ diagnosis. Specifically, the length of time that symptoms occur is the key to diagnosing PTSD—if someone experiences post-traumatic symptoms for longer than 30 days, then they may be diagnosed with PTSD.
- Myth: PTSD Lasts Forever – Finally, many of those who suffer from PTSD worry that their symptoms will last forever, never easing in severity or frequency. Fortunately, this is not the case, as it is possible to greatly reduce the occurrence and severity of your symptoms with a good care plan, which includes counseling.