Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops in certain people after experiencing or witnessing a painful, life-threatening, or otherwise traumatic event. Unfortunately, there are many myths about this disorder, and these misconceptions may prevent a person from getting the PTSD counseling they need to heal and move forward. Here are a few of the most common PTSD myths.

What Are the Most Common PTSD Myths?

1. Anyone Who Endures a Trauma Will Get PTSD

Because of the intense nature of most traumatic events, it can be easy to assume that anyone who survives one will be left with some degree of PTSD. In reality, just 6.8% of American adults will develop this condition after a trauma. No one is entirely sure why only a relatively small group experiences PTSD after a triggering event, but the condition is more common in women, in people with other health conditions, and in those who have endured multiple traumas and more negative life events.

2. Symptoms Occur Right Away After a Traumatic Event

With many health issues, symptoms are immediate. This has led to the common misconception that if you don't show signs of PTSD right after a traumatic event, then you won't acquire it. However, it's not uncommon for symptoms to take up to three months to emerge, and in some cases, they can take considerably longer, several months or even years after the fact. There are several theories as to why this is, including anomalies in how traumatic memories are stored, delays in reacting to the trauma, and changing perceptions over time about the triggering event. 

3. Everyone Experiences PTSD in the Same Ways

This condition encompasses a wide range of symptoms, many of which are painful and life limiting. Not everyone diagnosed will have the same symptoms, which is one of the many reasons why PTSD counseling is a crucial part of properly diagnosing and managing the condition. Common symptoms include disruptive thoughts or dreams about the event; increased anxiety and depression; anger management issues; and avoiding people, places, and events that remind one of the triggering episode. PTSD can also manifest in subtler ways, like moodiness, poor decision making, and emotional numbness or detachment.

If you endured a traumatic event, PTSD counseling can help you process the complex emotions involved. White Spruce Counseling provides the Rochester, NY, area with mental health counseling for PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other challenges. Call (585) 424-2436 to schedule an appointment with an experienced therapist or visit their website for more information about their services.