We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: PTSD can affect anyone. In fact, this was the first PTSD Fact we shared in this series. As such, we want to share one information point that may help bring this particular fact into focus just a little bit more: here is a website that lists 10 well-known celebrities who have come forward to admit that they have dealt with PTSD symptoms at some point in their lives.
Having said this, here are PTSD Facts 10 - 12 to continue this series:
It seems a bit counterintuitive, but medicine is not always recommended as treatment for PTSD — in fact, the World Health Organization even warns against the use of some medications as treatment. This isn’t to say that medicine is never recommended, though, and there are antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications that may be prescribed by your doctor. What’s more, studies have shown that EMDR is an extremely effective treatment for single trauma PTSD in as little as five sessions.
You may or may not realize this, but we have networks in our brains that respond to stress in others. Therefore, when we recognize symptoms of PTSD in another (especially in those who have not yet received treatment), we are affected in turn, and we may experience feelings of empathy or fear. And while this can result in a snowball effect, essentially traumatizing for those in the environment, it can also be used as an impetus to encourage those suffering from PTSD to reach out for help and get treatment.
One of the most important things to realize in terms of PTSD and its diagnosis in an individual is that trauma varies from person to person. What may be a mundane event for one person may prove to be traumatic for another — and the resulting reactions will vary just as much, if not more. Why is this fact particularly important? Because if we trivialize the trauma of another individual, we may discourage them from seeking treatment. Thus, it is imperative that if we desire to help those who suffer from PTSD, we try not to approach the situation as a third-party, and instead try to view everything from their perspective.
Here are some additional resources for you, in case you want to learn a bit more about these PTSD Facts:
- 5 Facts about PTSD We Bet You Didn't Know - TheTouchPoint Solution™
- Understanding the Impact of Trauma - Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services - NCBI Bookshelf
- PTSD United - All About Men and Women Health
If you missed the any of the previous posts in our PTSD Facts series:
