Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affects people worldwide. There are many myths surrounding the effects of PTSD and many common misconceptions about the people who have PTSD and how one would behave with PTSD. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has many signs and symptoms that can be identifiable to individuals who know someone suffering from this disease. Signs and symptoms of PTSD include the individual having flashbacks of the traumatic event that occurred, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and increased agitation or aggression. The common myths about PTSD are varied in many ways because of the years of misconstrued stories or experiences with an individual suffering from this illness.  

Myth #1: Only Soldiers Get PTSD. 

   This myth comes from the common misconception that soldiers or war veterans are the only ones to develop PTSD. In an article by Ralph Ryback M.D. in 5 Myths About PTSD (And the facts you need to know), he says that most people correlate PTSD with individuals who have been in the military, but this is incorrect in the sense that anyone can develop PTSD from any experience, not just war veterans (Ryback 1). This myth offers insight into the fact that not just soldiers have PTSD, but anyone can have this disorder and it can develop from any experience an individual has had. He also says that women are more likely to suffer from PTSD based on experiences revolving around sexual abuse or child abuse, while men are more likely to develop PTSD based on incidents surrounding violence and life-threatening experiences (Ryback 1). This information helps put away any controversy surrounding the false notion that only soldiers experience PTSD and only someone who has served can suffer from this disorder.  

Myth #2: Experiencing PTSD is a Symptom of Mental Weakness; People Should Just “Get Over” Traumatic Events of Life. 

   This myth is derived from the lack of knowledge and understanding of PTSD disorder and is strictly the biased opinion of a certain social group. In an article by PTSD Alliance in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Myths, it says that PTSD is a disorder that can be cured and treated, but some people who do not get passed this are not weak, they just have suffered a different type of trauma, have a different personality, or have gone to some type of support group (PTSD Alliance 1). The statement that people who develop PTSD are weak is incorrect and is a biased opinion that originated from the lack of understanding of the disorder. If a person were to develop PTSD, this does not make them weak or fragile, it only means that they have suffered a traumatic event in his or her life and is taking steps to overcome this fear.  This information gives a different viewpoint on the way people who suffer from PTSD and how they can or cannot be treated. PTSD can be based off many things and many factors affect whether an individual can be cured.   

Myth #3: People with PTSD Are Dangerous. 

   PTSD victims can suffer many different signs and symptoms caused by the trauma they have experienced, but this does not necessarily mean that individual is dangerous.  In an article by Ralph Ryback M.D. in 5 Myths About PTSD (And the facts you need to know), he says aggression is not the main sign and symptom of PTSD, but include lack of concentration, disconnecting socially, nightmares, flashbacks, etc. (Ryback M.D.). What he is saying is that not all PTSD patients have the basic sign of aggression but can have the other symptoms that are more commonly associated with the disorder. Most people automatically assume individuals with PTSD will be aggressive, but some have proven to not be aggressive at all and instead, show signs of decreases social interaction and series of flashbacks. In another article by Brian Mastroianni, 5 Myths About PTSD You Need to Stop Believing, he says that most people associate aggression with PTSD victims because they can be unstable or even irritable, but that there are many other symptoms that are commonly placed with PTSD (Mastroianni 1). He is stating that aggression is thought of as the first sign that is presented with someone suffering from PTSD because they may be afraid from the trauma suffered enough to lash out, but this myth is incorrect because of the list of signs that are more common with the disorder.   

Myth #4: PTSD Cannot be Treated. 

   PTSD is not an untreatable disorder as some may think.  In an article by Ralph Ryback M.D. in 5 Myths About PTSD (And the facts you need to know), it says that there is a plethora of medications that can be used to treat PTSD disorders (Ryback 1). This myth that PTSD cannot be treated is incorrect because with today’s advancements, there are many types of medications that can be used to calm individuals as well as therapy which can highly improve the overall health of the patient.  

With all the myths revolving around Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, there is very little knowledge about the true facts about this disorder. There are many ways that people can be more understanding and educated on the facts about PTSD, as well as ways that society itself can help individuals suffering with this disorder. People could help figure out solutions to aid in the recovery of victims suffering PTSD as well as educating society on the facts about the disorder and destroying the myths.