The Importance of Discussing PTSD by Lacey

The Importance of Discussing PTSD by Lacey - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

TED Talks are lectures designed to spread ideas based in technology, entertainment, and design. They are typically short and educational, often used to gain a quick background on a specific topic. If I were asked to give a TED Talk, I would choose to speak about PTSD. PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental illness that affects millions every year, yet most know little to nothing about it. As someone with PTSD, I believe it’s important to educate people about PTSD, erase common myths about PTSD, and help people understand how their actions and messages can be damaging to those with PTSD.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that reaches 8% of Americans. There is not much the general public knows about PTSD. Most know that it is a mental disorder that commonly affects war veterans. They may have learned about PTSD as “shell-shock.” Approximately 17% of war veterans develop PTSD. Although this is commonly known, there is still much that is not known about PTSD. Misinformation and misunderstanding often leads to myths being spread about PTSD. These myths can be damaging to those who experience PTSD. While most know that war veterans can develop PTSD, many believe that those who have experienced war are the only ones who can develop PTSD. This is untrue, and can be extremely damaging to those who have experienced a trauma outside of combat exposure. In fact, the number one cause of PTSD in both men and women is sexual assault. By perpetrating the idea that PTSD can only be present in those who have experienced combat, others are limited in resources and may find difficulty pursuing help. A problem many with PTSD face is the use of the word “trigger”. Many with PTSD use the word “trigger” to describe people, events, or places that cause a flashback, nightmare, or panic attack. Unfortunately, there are many on the internet who equate the word “trigger” to a joke, thereby lessening the reality of PTSD for those who have it. Another common misconception is that PTSD is something that can easily be healed from. Those with anxiety disorders, and PTSD specifically, are often told to “get over it,” or that “it’s all in your head.” Many don’t understand that PTSD is a mental disorder, which affects the brain and is not something that can be ignored or fixed easily. While PTSD is treatable, the myth that it is made up bars those with PTSD from getting treatment out of fear, embarrassment, and misunderstanding.
It’s important to have conversations about PTSD, despite reaching only 8% of Americans. When put into perspective, that’s 24.4 million people. 24.4 million people who may not have access to treatment due to the spread of misinformation. 24.4 million people, including myself, who can’t get treatment because PTSD is seen as a fantasy rather than an actual mental illness. PTSD is a topic that cannot be ignored. Dismissal of the conversation surrounding PTSD can have implications which can make it difficult or even impossible for those diagnosed with it to receive treatment and accept the fact that they have this disorder.