Myths and Facts of PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be challenging for families to navigate together. In this article, we explore some of the common myths and facts of PTSD. Remember: you and your family are not alone.

What is PTSD?

Trauma affects each person differently and having reactions to trauma is natural. However, distress over the traumatic event or events becomes a problem when it is prolonged and disrupts someone’s daily life, work, or emotional wellbeing.

The National Institute of Mental Health explains: “People may be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if their symptoms last for an extended period after a traumatic event and begin to interfere with aspects of daily life, such as relationships or work. People who have PTSD may continue to feel stressed or frightened, even though they are not in danger.”

PTSD manifests differently in each person, with varying symptoms and experiences. Common symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. While these symptoms can be overwhelming, it’s important to understand that PTSD is a recognized medical condition that can be treated with proper professional help.

Myths and Facts of PTSD

Myth: Only veterans experience PTSD.

In popular culture, PTSD in military veterans is often portrayed well, underscoring the extreme experiences of military service.  Too often, though, our society ignores or minimizes other events or experiences that may lead to a person developing PTSD. These might include one-time events in which the person feels like their life is threatened, like a violent crime, a fire, or a natural disaster. But PTSD can also develop when a person has endured family, partner, or workplace abuse; has been subject to discrimination; lives in an unsafe area; or has a history of adverse childhood experiences. Also, not everyone realizes that witnessing a traumatic event can also lead to PTSD

The bottom line: Anyone can develop PTSD after experiencing or witnessing trauma, regardless of their background, profession, or life circumstances. Understanding this helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help when they need it. What matters most is recognizing the signs and getting appropriate support.

Myth: Only men will develop PTSD.

While PTSD may develop following many types of events, it is more likely that “high-impact” events will lead to PTSD symptoms. A “high-impact” event typically refers to experiences that are severely distressing or life-threatening. Though men and women experience high-impact events, women are more likely to experience them more often. This pattern may contribute to a higher rate of PTSD in women.

Myth: PTSD can only come from a one-time event.

Trauma can accumulate over time through repeated exposure to distressing events. Experiencing multiple traumas can sometimes lead to more complex symptoms and require specialized support.

One example of this is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Although not yet recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, it is recognized internationally as a valid diagnosis that includes symptoms of classic PTSD. This condition develops after “sustained or multiple exposures to a trauma, such as childhood abuse and domestic or community violence.” Early research indicates this type of PTSD is common, with up to half of individuals being treated in mental health facilities meeting diagnostic criteria.

Myth: PTSD is due to weakness.

PTSD does not mean someone is mentally weak. Speaking up and seeking help are some of the bravest things someone with PTSD can do. The stigma around mental health conditions like PTSD often prevents people from acknowledging their symptoms and getting the support they need.

It’s crucial to understand that PTSD is a response to trauma that can affect anyone, regardless of their perceived mental or emotional strength. Just as we wouldn’t consider someone “weak” for developing a physical illness, we shouldn’t stigmatize those who experience psychological effects from trauma.

To learn more, join the Families for Depression Awareness livestream panel discussion, PTSD and Depression: What Caregivers Need to Know, on June 3, 2025, or watch later on Facebook or our YouTube channel.

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Author

Cameron Bartlett is a volunteer blog copywriter for Families for Depression Awareness, a psychology major undergrad student at UMass Lowell, and works in direct care with patients in a behavioral health unit. Cameron first became fascinated with abnormal psychology and is now expanding into cognitive psychology, assisting a professor at UML in a research lab. In his free time, Cameron listens to music of all kinds, walks dogs, and spends lots of time with his family and friends.