What wrong idea about PTSD would you most like to eliminate?

That the nightmares, flashbacks, and bad memories don't always go away, even with time.

That you know what happened to me and what triggers me. You don't. You have some idea, and that's partly right. But I get triggered a lot - this week alone three times by male genitals (someone drew one on the window in my classroom - well, I get triggered by that every time I'm in that classroom because no one has removed it -, a classmate thought it was funny to send a link to a picture of a naked man to the whole class (on the year group what's app group) with the message it would give information on which teachers wouldn't come in because of the snow, and when sharing pictures of snowmen on our family's what's app group, my cousin sent a picture of two snowmen "doing the deed") - and people probably wouldn't do that if they knew what triggers me, what happened to me, stuff like that. (At least I hope they wouldn't.) But people just assume "No one told me they've been s.assaulted, so no one I know has been s.assaulted, so I can send crude pictures and no one will get triggered". I wish people would be more careful in that area. Don't send pictures like that unless you know the person receiving it will be OK with it.

Or the people assuming my PTSD is because of my leg amputation, or sometimes the illness preceding it. Uh, not quite. My PTSD is mainly because of the medical torture that resulted in my leg needing amputation - the amputation itself wasn't actually traumatizing. And to a lesser degree, because of the s.assault and some other stuff. But mainly the torture.
When people assume PTSD is because of my leg amputation, it's kinda hurtful, because it feels like they're discounting that something REALLY AWFUL has happened (or, for those who don't know, might have happened). Or one of my teachers at school (I receive assistance and stuff from a special eduaction school that has an office at the adult education school, while following my classes at said adult education school - she's the teacher that mainly provides my SpecEd assistance) sent the rest of the teachers a short email saying I have PTSD (we discussed she'd do that, the fact that she emailed wasn't the issue) because of a nasty medical history or medical treatment. That's like saying I have PTSD from a tooth extraction. A tooth extraction might not be fun, but it's not abusive. It's "for the greater good" - it has a purpose. I have PTSD because of mindless violence. No purpose, just pain.
Any time someone says it's because of a treatment, I feel.. well, I don't know how I feel, but I don't feel heard.

Then there's some annoyances, such as people being too careful (people who know I don't like being touched in certain situations, or assume I can't stand being touched at all) and as a result won't come within 10 feet of me (OK, that's a bit of an exaggaration, but I trust you get my point).
On the other hand, my parents aren't careful enough - they know I have PTSD and tell everyone (even those who don't need telling because it's none of their business) about how they have to be careful in some areas, but they themselves never are.
Definitely one thing I hate the most - but that's mostly what I hate about my parents, not a wrong idea that I'd like to eliminate.

I would like people to know and understand that just because a person has PTSD from childhood it doesn't automatically mean DID.Many people seem to believe that's true and it's just not.

I would like them to know that PTSD symptoms are wide and varied for each person.No two people experience the same ones.

Not all triggers are the same either.And while it may seem silly or stupid to be triggered by a shirt color,a look on someones face or any kind of grape drink,it's very serious to me and really sets me off,not by choice.Triggers are not funny,they're not silly,nor are they b.s.

Depression is and can be a part of PTSD.And it definitely is for me.I don't need to be told I should also have a depression dx,or an anxiety dx,or any other diagnosis when I have already been to professionals and everything I experience falls under one dx,which is PTSD.

Not everyone with PTSD is heavily medicated.Some manage their symptoms without medication.Having the dx doesn't automatically mean meds are necessary to keep the person from becoming dangerous or violent.

PTSD doesn't cause a person to cheat on or abuse their partner.

People with it ARE capable of being loving,kind,caring,sympathetic and compassionate.

Neuroscience is young, so I don't expect people to know that PTSD is a brain disorder. It is not a mechanism that can be willed (solved) through character development. Once the science behind the disorder is understood, the healing work can begin. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist and university professor, explains on You Tube the mechanics of PTSD through neuroscience, but most importantly, gets to the root of the problem of malevolence and what that does to ones innocence whether in war or family combat, etc. Peterson's work with those having PTSD has helped me tremendously; I am grateful for the turning point he brought me to in my recovery.

Who better to get the word out than those of us with PTSD?

That non-combat vets with PTSD are not as necessary to treat than combat vets.

PTSD has shown me the worst that humanity has to offer. A lot of PTSD is caused by human nature and a lot of PTSD is worsened by human nature. Ultimately, I believe that human nature is to blame for PTSD and until humans shape up and stop traumatizing each-other, it will only get worse.

I wish that people were educated more about PTSD and made aware that it is a PHYSICAL BRAIN INJURY that effects EVERYTHING; not merely the inability to accept something and move on.

Victim blaming and shaming is horrendous and can be worse than the initial trauma!

Several things:

1. People seem to be bandying about the term PTSD. It seems the in thing to have these days and I get so very irritated by those jumping on the bandwagon and self-diagnosing the condition. That is not to say that some of these people might very well have trauma issues but it just seems that so many claim to have it because it is en vogue to do so.

2. That due to the above taking place, people seem to question and devalue the disorder's legitimacy. Even with a proper diagnosis, I still seem to need to prove its veracity. It still comes down to a case of my statements being a matter of heresay.

3. People jump to the conclusion that PTSD is a physical result of trauma. In the case of emotional injury they seem to refuse to believe that non-physical trauma could possibly result in a diagnosis of PTSD.

ie. Oh, you never saw combat so you either shouldn't have a problem or shouldn't dare to equate it with what the soldiers go through.

4. People seem to be of the opinion that those with PTSD are unable to function at all.

5. In the case of abusive traumas, the attitude seems to be, "Oh I was bullied too, get over it."

Interesting post! I liked what you wrote. I want to comment on some of the things you wrote.

1.) I would have to agree that there is a gradual shift in society towards mental health and identifying with it. While there are certainly some people out there who 'jump on the bandwagon' so the speak, (just like people think it is a fad to be gay) I have to give them benefit of the doubt. I believe a lot of the people you are referring to are coming forward, not because it is a fad, but because they finally feel comfortable to speak up about their struggles now that society is finally starting to spread awareness and validate mental health.

3.) Are you referring to the people who think that someone can only suffer PTSD after experiencing PHYSICAL abuse / trauma? It is interesting you mentioned this and soldiers: I recently had someone tell me that ONLY soldiers can have PTSD and everyone else has TRAUMA. The person worked in healthcare as well and claimed this is what the professionals were saying to her. I quickly challenged it and she stopped responding to me. It was really invalidating.

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

Thank you for your comments.

In my own dialogue I was intending to state that there is an opinion held by many that that PTSD is the result of either physical injury or that which has occurred from 'front line experience' (ie. military, emergency workers).

I encounter people who have questioned whether PTSD can result from trauma other than combat/emergency services experiences.

Incidentally, I have seen the reverse of this. I attended a few meetings of a PTSD support group. The 'victims' present were mostly those whom have encountered violence - the majority of which were women. Several gentlemen showed up whose PTSD was in fact pertaining to combat duty. It was really awkward and unfortunate as their (male) presence was really quite upsetting to many in the group. I was upset myself, what with my own PTSD stemming from violence (and at the hands of military persons no less). But I was even more upset when these gentlemen were asked to no longer participate. How cruel was that sort of message? That there own anguish was discounted on account they were male.

I just very recently had someone say to me "I think I have PTSD too,I get paranoid like you do"(This same person,just not too long ago said "I think I have PTSD too,I blow up in anger like you do").

This time I said "do you even know what PTSD is?" and they said "yeah it's when you get upset about stuff".

No..just STFU...is what I wanted to say.

I honestly don't get why anyone would WANT to have it or try to make their experiences fit the dx.Especially when they have no idea what it is or what can cause it.

***low growl gradually crescendos into a loud groan***

I was born with a high sensitivity level. Which also doesn't mean what people think it means.

Ironically, I have PTSD due in large part to the actions of people trying to toughen me up so I wouldn't be so sensitive.

Oh I can fully relate to this! "Just be rational, think positively, nothing so bad is happening!" although events I went through were difficult, it was the reaction of people to my fear/depression that was more traumatising than the circumstances themselves...

I was diagnosed years ago with CPTSD. I have had many physical, and emotional traumas in my life. I have trouble with sleep, flashbacks, anxiety ect. I see a T, and a Pdoc monthy. I am able to function to an extent. The thing I find wrong, that I wish people would understand is that even if you don't see a problem, it doesn't mean that it isn't there. I have this, MMD, and many physical issues, but I don't have a disabled sticker for my car, or anything that would make a person think I was disabled, and I was diagnosed to be totally disabled physically, and mentally in 2009. I just wish people would treat others with more compassion. Because if a person might be waiting for a close parking spot to a store, it might be for a major reason. I don't normally tell everyone I am disabled, but I wish people would have more compassion, instead of giving another person the finger, or foul words.

I feel more awareness is needed to inform the general public that PTSD is not only a military issue. I was once told by a friend that she knew people a lot worse off than me. To me, that was about the worst thing she could have said. Nothing like getting judged when you re already judging yourself so harshly.

Telling somebody they can't be unhappy because others have it worse is like telling somebody they can't be happy because others have it better. Makes no sense either way.

That sometimes after trauma people can end up with irrational fears and afraid of the people around them. Even if they haven't hurt them. It doesn't have to be a personal thing.

I was terrified of my dad touching me after my initial abuse even though he would never hurt anyone and never gave me any reason to fear him. I feel so guilty for how I must have made him feel. Now I'm making my fiance feel the same way and I feel like ****.

UGH.

I think I said this before but that PTSD cannot be caused by trivial things.It really irks me when people claim to have it over something upsetting.Trauma and something upsetting are in no way the same thing.It's so invalidating and downplays just how serious true PTSD is.

*sorry,was just upset by a post throwing the term around again*

I understand.

I used the falling down the stairs analogy in an earlier post. That's learning from experience, which isn't the same thing as having PTSD.

I was permanently injured in a car accident. Years later, I walk with a cane, and will for the rest of my life. We were T-boned on the passenger side. Now any time I glimpse the slightest motion out the passenger side window, I can't control a startle reflex. There WILL be a jump and a gasp. That's PTSD. (And the car accident isn't all that caused it. There are other factors too.)

That some people with PTSD do not respond to pharmaceutical drugs the same way others with PTSD do. Some of us are treatment resistant, despite our determination and perseverance.

I just got triggered today. It was bad. My husband accidentally put me in a bad situation that was traumatic. It was real and brought a me back to a situation from childhood when I was scared . This was traumatic for me to be in the situation and deal with the overwhelming memories. Hard for us to understand the painfulness of it.

Thank you all so much for offering your perspective. This has helped me to understand a lot. <3 <3

i wish people would not say "that's years ago- just get over it and move on" i would if i could

Just because some treatment will work for some people with PTSD, doesn't mean it would work for *all* people with PTSD.

Omg,me too.I have heard that one quite a few times from people.

One person told me to just bury all the stuff from my childhood.
Another said just stop thinking about it.
Another said just let it go.
Another asked "why do you let it bother you?"

They just simply don't understand,do they?