Today we will be addressing a common stereotype associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We will be investigating who can experience PTSD, why this stereotype exists, and the portrayal of PTSD in the media.
Whenever this particular anxiety disorder comes to mind, many of us automatically think about individuals who have served in the armed forces. Many people believe that everyone with PTSD is also a veteran, someone who is only reliving trauma related to his or her time overseas. This bias, however, can be detrimental to the millions of people who currently struggle with PTSD, since many of them have never been apart of the military.
This stereotype, therefore, discourages people to seek the help they need after a distressing or painful event, ignoring their symptoms long enough to develop an anxiety disorder. The truth is that anyone who experiences a traumatic event can develop PTSD, no matter who you are, what you do, or how your traumatic event occurred.
The question, then, is where this stereotype came from. While there may be a number of causes, one of the most apparent is the popularity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in movies, especially members of the war genre. Movies like Apocalypse Now, First Blood, Born on the Fourth of July, and The Deer Hunter are some of the most popular movies ever created, and all feature veterans afflicted with a very specific interpretation of what PTSD looks like.
When viewing these films, the general public sees PTSD as a mental illness that only soldiers could have. Even though PTSD is certainly an important issue for the veteran population, individuals who experienced other forms of trauma are in many ways invalidated by the public’s narrow view. It is important to recognize that all traumatic events, whether they are related to combat or not, are significant and worth addressing.
While this stigma still exists to some degree in modern media, there have also been a number of movies that have set out to dispel the “soldiers-only” myth surrounding PTSD. Movies like Ordinary People, Mystic River, and Room detail the lives of individuals that have experienced other forms of trauma. Please note that these films may be triggering for individuals who have experienced similar trauma in their lives, so view with caution.
If you are struggling to cope with a traumatic event or suspect that you may be suffering from PTSD, seek help from a local Spokane health care professional. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.
