Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs after someone experiences trauma. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety. Many people have a basic understanding of this condition, but some common misbeliefs can prevent people from seeking assistance. Here are some ideas you may have heard that aren't true.
What Are Myths About PTSD?
1. Occurs Right After a Traumatic Event
Symptoms can start a month after a traumatic event, but they may also occur years later. Some situations are so stressful that people store them in a part of the brain that isn't easily accessible. Those memories can resurface after a long period and cause new symptoms to occur. When PTSD starts six months or more after a trauma, it is diagnosed as delayed-onset PTSD.
2. Only Affects Those Who Experience War or Violence
PTSD is common among military veterans and those who have experienced assault or violence, but those are not the only types of trauma that can cause symptoms. Any event that creates severe stress may inhibit the ability to process these memories and emotions. These situations can include the death of a loved one, a serious accident, or a natural disaster.
3. Goes Away on Its Own
Many people think that anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks will fade away as time passes. This may happen for some individuals, but it often isn't the case. The disorder can vary in intensity and provide a false belief that it has passed. If left untreated, the symptoms can last for a long time.
Professional counselors can help patients process their trauma and separate it from the triggers they experience in daily life. Treatment will be different for everyone, but talking about the affair and finding ways to deal with related emotions can reduce the severity and longevity of symptoms.