Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect anyone, whether or not they served in the military. Read about the most common misunderstanding about this disorder and what you can do to help.

2. What do you know
about Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder?
You may develop it if you
have experienced a traumatic
event—whether as a victim or
a witness—like abuse, injury,
violence, death, or combat.

3. Here are some common
misconceptions and myths
associatedwith the disorder.

4. "PTSD only affects
warveterans."
Those who serve in a combat zone can
develop symptoms of PTSD, but the
disorder is not limited to members of the
military. According to the National Center
for PTSD, about 60% of men and 50% of
women will experience trauma during
their lives. 7-8% of the population will
develop PTSD at some point.
1

5. "I can't recover from
PTSD,since I can't
remember the trauma."
2
Specific memories can fade over time, but therapists say that the timespan
shouldn’t prevent someone from seeking treatment.
According to Psychologist Dr. Edgardo Padin-Rivera, “So many vets thought that
if they didn’t think about it, didn’t talk about it, in time they’d get over it. A lot of
what we get from them is that they’ve been suffering in silence over 60 years.”

6. It's never toolate to seek treatment.
National Center for PTSD
(802) 296-6300
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255
Veterans Crisis Line
(800) 273-8255 (press 1)
http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
The National Institute of Mental Health
(866) 615-6464
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

7. Symptoms of PTSD can be triggered by events in
everyday life, and sometimes years go by before
these symptoms are apparent. The National Center
for PTSD recommends seeking help, regardless of
how long ago the trauma was.
Use the VA’s PTSD Program Locator to find
specialized PTSD programs in your state:
http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp
"It's too late to do
anything for me."3

8. Anyone can develop PTSD, but not everyone develops it after a traumatic
event.
According to the National Center for PTSD, over 50% of Americans will go
through some type of trauma, but a small percentage of the population will
actually develop PTSD.
"Everyone suffers from
somekind of PTSD."4

9. Not everyone who has served in a combat zone is affected by PTSD, but
war-time events can lead to PTSD. The National Center for PTSD says
between 11-20% of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
Veterans have PTSD in a given year, and about 15 out of 100 Vietnam Veterans
were diagnosed in the late 1980s.
"PTSD affects everyone
who's been in combat."5

10. Just like there are different ways to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,
there are also various degrees in which PTSD symptoms are apparent.
Common symptoms include:
Distressing memories of the event Emotional numbness
Avoiding talk or thoughts about the event Trouble concentrating
All symptoms of PTSD can vary in intensity and can be aggravated by various
events and stimuli. Visit the Mayo Clinic’s website for a full list of symptoms.
"PTSD is either
allor nothing."6

11. There are various treatments
available to those who suffer from
PTSD. The VA website [http://www.
ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/
therapy-med/index.asp] discusses
common treatments, including
Cognitive Processing Therapy,
Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and
more.
"PTSD sufferers need
medication, nottherapy."7

12. With treatment, you can learn ways to cope with negative feelings and
thoughts,
connect with others, and make sense of the trauma itself.
The National Center for PTSD has a website called About Face, which features
stories from veterans who live with PTSD and provides information about
treatment options. Learn more here: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/AboutFace/
"You'll never completely
recover from PTSD."8

13. PTSD can affect any age group,
especially those who have suffered
traumatic events like war, violence,
abuse, terrorism, and natural disasters.
"PTSD only affects
people of a certain age."9

14. It does take time to recover from a traumatic event, but time alone won’t be
enough to fully heal. PTSD can affect your relationships, work, and life in
general, so it’s important to seek out treatment options and support.
"Recovering from PTSD
just takes time."10

15. The Mayo Clinic suggests PTSD symptoms can begin within three months
of the event, but could even take years to develop. Talk to your doctor if you
experience any of the following signs:
Reliving experiences of the traumatic event
Emotional distress when reminded of the event
Upsetting dreams about the event
"Symptomsalwaysdevelopimmediately
afteratraumaticevent."11

16. Not everyone may be affected by PTSD, but
it clearly has nothing to do with a person’s
internal or external strength.
Follow the advice of your doctor or psychologist,
and believe that you can become whole. Always
remind yourself that you are not your disorder,
and you are not weak.
"PTSD is a sign of
weakness."12

17. www.flagshipfinancialgroup.com