The universal picture of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is, without a doubt, a male veteran. Maybe he is shouting or behaving irrationally, but that is the immediate thought that comes to most peoples' minds when they hear PTSD. Although veterans do make up a portion of people with PTSD, it is important to realize that there are many more people who struggle with this condition, and it is not as rare as we are made to believe. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 7.7 million Americans have PTSD, making up approximately 3.5% of the population.
PTSD affects more women than men, which may come as a shock to many. People can develop PTSD by living through a natural disaster such as a hurricane, dealing with an unexpected death in the family, living through any kind of sexual or domestic abuse, or being involved in any kind of attack. Even children have the ability to develop PTSD. Though there are many treatments available, most people with PTSD do not get the proper treatment in time, or sometimes at all. PTSD can range from lasting a month to being a lifelong condition.
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So if PTSD is so common, why aren't more people seeking treatment for it? One of the biggest factors may be that the number one trigger of PTSD is rape, which is seldom reported. Pair this with the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses, and you have double the reason people do not want to seek help. Many times, the people suffering may tell friends or family, who simply tell them to "snap out of it" or "not think about it," which makes the condition seem less real to them. Imagine telling someone who just broke their leg to just get up or walk it off. So why do we treat mental illnesses like something people are making up? Why aren't we spending more time to find ways to help those suffering instead of just telling them that it will go away, when it may not?
Characteristics and episodes of PTSD also differ from person to person. Some people may get loud and behave in an irrational manner; some people may silently relive the event and lock up in anxiety, and everything in between. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, and intense physical responses when reminded of the event. It is important to note that though these are universal symptoms; each person may react to them differently. We cannot look at one person and assume that because they are not reacting with shouting they are dealing with a "made-up condition." This kind of logic counteracts good treatment and leaves victims feeling more isolated and less hopeful.
Next time you think about PTSD, remember that it can look like a war veteran. It can also look like a young child dealing with the loss of a family member in silence, and it can also be someone in your own sorority or fraternity. PTSD does not just look like one thing or one person; it looks like many different people and many different situations, and we should all be understanding of that. A little understanding can help a lot of people, so I think we should all try to be doing so.
