“PTSD” —a term so used in society its meaning has dwindled. You may have heard a friend mention these four letters, joking about how an event has left them with it. You may scrunch your eyebrows at this, wondering if this is truly the correct way to use this term, but casually shrugged it off because you weren’t entirely sure. It may be complacent, but you weren’t entirely sure.
It’s time to change that.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder is described as a “psychiatric disorder” that “may occur in people who have
experienced or witnessed a traumatic event”. It can happen to anyone.
It was known as “shell shock” or “combat fatigue” during the World Wars,
festering like an unwanted blister to those who bravely risked their lives on the
battlefield. Now, we see this psychiatric disorder forming amongst people in our current
society: victims of rape, sexual assault, abuse, and serious accidents and incidents carry
this terrible disorder with them.
So, just how common is PTSD?
PTSD is reported to be diagnosed in one out of eleven people in their lifetime.
Yet in many cases, symptoms can fade in a few weeks or several months. Of course,
this isn’t the case for everyone. Symptoms can stay quite high constantly, but in most
cases, victims won’t be plagued for the rest of their life.
So, yes, PTSD is not a term that should be casually thrown around, but instead, a
real disorder formed by strong people who have been given much reason to give up. It is
important to respect them—and you can start by using the term “PTSD” properly.
Being aware is always the best way to show respect.
Let’s start today.
References: What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?, Article,
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd, Taylor-Desir, 2022
How does PTSD Develop and How Long Does it Last?, Article,
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/craftptsd/lesson04/04_005.htm#:~:text=PTSD%20symptoms%20
usually%20appear%20soon,fairly%20constant%20level%20of%20severity.,
