Five Myths about PTSD

This video describes five myths of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Myth number one is that any event can count as a trauma when diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder. I think part of this myth is this idea of over-pathologizing. The idea that the DSM is really too broad and pretty much any event can count as a trauma. If we look at the qualifying trauma area of the definition of PTSD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, we see that it is appropriate in terms of what types of events.
Myth number two is that with PTSD comes a higher risk of violence now in order to understand why this is a myth you really have to understand that PTSD often times does not occur in isolation of other mental health symptoms particularly substance use disorders seem to come occur with pts a lot of times we think the PTSD symptoms come back first and then as a way of managing those symptoms sometimes people turn to substances so when you look at PTSD as a whole yes there is an increased risk of violence with post-traumatic stress disorder but when you control for other comorbid mental health disorders like substance use disorders and other mental illnesses PTSD doesn't carry any increased risk of violence
Myth number three is that when a traumatic event occurs the symptoms are always immediately evident. We know that sometimes the symptoms come about fairly quickly after a trauma. There's even another disorder called acute stress disorder, which is really designed to deal with these symptoms. For an individual to have posttraumatic stress disorder the symptoms would have to be present for one month or more. The symptoms of PTSD can occur months after trauma and sometimes even years after a trauma. This is called “delayed expression,” and even though it's not particularly common we do see it once in a while.
Myth number four is that traumatic exposure through television or pictures doesn't count as a qualifying trauma. Work-related exposures would count as part of this definition.
Myth number five is that a diagnosis of PTSD can occur immediately following a trauma. There's another disorder called acute stress disorder. When we see symptoms of PTSD immediately after a trauma oftentimes we're looking at acute stress disorder and not posttraumatic stress disorder. By definition, a diagnosis of PTSD cannot be given until at least one month after a traumatic event.

[bigtimepimpin]

1:55 #2 PTSD does not make the person violent. Thank You Dr Grande. I am a war Veteran and the assumption that we are psychopaths eager to keep killing because of PTSD is inaccurate but broadly embraced to the point that one sees it leveraged in Family court etc.

[drakkmas]

My father was a Vietnam vet, and he had nightmares, flashbacks, and triggered hyper-vigilance right up till his death. One of the things I learned early on was that if he was speaking Vietnamese in his sleep, and tossing and turning, do NOT touch or shake him. Instead I would shake the foot of the bed and call his name. Then I would give him a minute and tell him that it was a nightmare.

[ubuntu]

Clear. Concise. Impartial. Informed.

Dr. Grande sharing his time and knowledge.

[RyelSteele]

Thank you, Dr. Grande, for bring a calm voice of reason and information in an internet full of misleading self-accredited "experts"

[tsbcmhc]

The myth that stood out to me the most is myth #2 (PTSD comes a higher risk of violence). I believe this myth mostly relates to veterans that suffer from combat related PTSD. It is good to hear that this is not the case. Very informative.

[angelinastanton]

This video was very helpful in explaining the myths associated with PTSD and also challenges the stigmas and misconceptions related to PTSD. This is very educational for both the public and for mental health professionals.

[leenbee]

Interesting about the delayed response. We were hijacked by gunpoint outside our gate many years ago. Thankfully we weren't harmed. I was surprised how little it affected me. Then I was mugged outside my gate in another place years later. There were no weapons and it was much less traumatic but after that, I suffered severe anxiety and panic attacks and had to move away from that house. I think the second occurrence triggered the PTSD from the first one.

[janicedixon]

Myth 5 confirmed some thinking I’ve had about PTSD. Just because an event is a traumatic one does not mean her person has PTSD or will even be diagnosed with PTSD.

[kalistaier]

My therapist diagnosed me with PTSD due to severe emotional abuse growing up. It's not life threatening so why does it not count as PTSD?

[amyhensley]

Question, can anyone ever be free of PTSD or is it something an individual would have to work through their whole lives?

[dumonceauxable]

I would have sworn that I experienced PTSD after seeing The Exorcist - 8 years of nightmares.  I really think I still haven't recovered!  Thank you, Dr. Grande, for your most excellent videos.

[tomjones]

I`ve been in three serious car accidents and my brother died in a car accident. I have severe anxiety when I ride in a car with someone. It only recently (in the past three years) got much worse.

[kikixiong]

It's very helpful to hear these clear explanations from a professional. Thank you for this video!

[johnharrisjr]

Thank you for clarifying the myths. It gave me a better understanding of PTSD

[virginiamurrey]

This video was helpful in decoding myths about PTSD. Before I became somewhat educated on this subject, I thought there were situations that could be considered as  a trauma related to PTSD, that I now know are not due to lack of symptoms. This is a great video that has continued to help me understand PTSD more.

[veronicabetz]

Thank you for clarifying the differences between Acute stress disorder and PTSD. I was unaware that the diagnosis of PTSD could not be given until at least one month after the traumatic event.

[rhondabaileyyy]

Myth #2 caught my attention. I agree that PTSD can occur with other mental health diagnosis that may be patients at risk for more violent behaviors.

[misschievous]

30+ yrs married to a narc. 20 yrs raised by one. 50 total years of being severely abused by the two men closest to me.

[xShate]

Thank you for this video. It's really helpful and interesting

[jackiesorrells]

There is still so much that needs to be reveled regarding PTSD. There is such stigma around this disorder.