Misunderstandings about PTSD

Misunderstandings lead to prejudices, assumptions, (self-)stigma, and other difficult side effects. To get a more realistic picture of PTSD, we are happy to explain a number of common misconceptions for you.

Misunderstanding 1: Trauma is the same as PTSD

A common misconception is that trauma and PTSD are the same thing. Although these two terms are closely related, there are important differences. Not everyone with trauma has PTSD; conversely, everyone with PTSD also has trauma.

You can better understand this by briefly considering the two concepts:

Trauma literally means wound or injury. An injury can be physical, such as a broken bone, but also psychological and emotional. Sometimes trauma specifically refers to the event that was traumatic, the traumatic experience, sometimes it refers precisely to its consequences; the injury. That consequences are different for everyone.

PTSD refers to a psychological disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD can therefore be seen as a manifestation of trauma.

Misunderstanding 2: PTSD affects only veterans

A common misunderstanding is that PTSD only occurs in veterans. Although they indeed form an at-risk group, PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event or has witnessed one. Such as violent crimes, sexual abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or severe illnesses.

Misunderstanding 3: A traumatic event always leads to PTSD

It is estimated that about 80% of adults experience a potentially traumatic experience at some point in their lives. Of these, about 9% develop post-traumatic stress disorder. By far the majority of people who experience a traumatic event therefore do not develop PTSD.

Incidentally, this says nothing about the impact of the event. In response to trauma, people can many different complaints and conditions develop, not just PTSD.

Misunderstanding 4: PTSD develops immediately after a traumatic event

PTSD symptoms can develop immediately after experiencing a traumatic event, but this is not required. It is also possible that they appear only months or even years later, which is also referred to as ‘PTSD with delayed expression’.

Misunderstanding 5: PTSD never goes away

PTSD is a serious psychological condition that has a major impact on daily life. Recovering from PTSD is often a long-term process, but it is certainly possible. Today, various good treatments for PTSD, which can greatly reduce symptoms, and sometimes even make them disappear completely.

Which treatment works well for whom varies per individual. A professional healthcare provider can help you in this search.

Misunderstanding 6: All people with PTSD suffer from nightmares

Although nightmares are characteristic symptom of PTSD, this does not mean that everyone with PTSD also has nightmares. The symptoms someone with PTSD experiences vary from person to person. For some, nightmares play a major role, while others suffer from other forms of re-experiencing, such as flashbacks or recurring thoughts about an event.

Misunderstanding 7: PTSD is the same as complex PTSD

A confusing misunderstanding is that PTSD and Complex PTSD is one and the same condition. This is not the case. Complex PTSD develops as a result of multiple and repeated traumatic experiences, often as early as childhood. The impact of this leads to ‘more complex’ symptoms: in addition to the ‘standard’ PTSD symptoms, people with complex PTSD also have problems in the areas of emotions, identity, self-image, (self-)confidence and dissociation.

Distinguishing between PTSD and CPTSS is important because the approaches to diagnosis and treatment can vary (greatly).