#PTSD

Today's images come to you straight from the social media forum known for popularizing hashtags. The mental disorder featured today has been the focus of a great deal of media attention in the recent years due to our country's involvement in overseas wars - PTSD. However, PTSD can result from a variety of traumatic events, including but not limited to "exposure to war as a combatant or civilian, threatened or actual physical assault (e.g. physical attack, robbery, mugging, childhood physical abuse), threatened or actual sexual violence (e.g. forced sexual penetration, alcohol/drug-facilitated sexual penetration, abusive sexual conduct, noncontact sexual abuse, sexual trafficking), being kidnapped, being taken hostage, terrorist attack, torture, incarceration as a prisoner of war, natural or human-made disasters, and severe motor vehicle accidents" (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2013, p. 274). 

While reviewing the following posts, keep in mind the types of events the DSM-5 notes as being "traumatic." 

Image from Twitter user's post. Name has been redacted for confidentiality purposes.

Our first post includes an image of a mutant from a popular science fiction TV show. Note the "PTSD flashback" reference in the post. While some may find humor in the dramatic reaction to a character that was originally created using a trash can and plunger, this image and caption completely minimize the severity of images one may experience in a PTSD flashback as well as the emotional and physical response. A typical reaction to this image may be, "Ahhh!! Hahahahahah!! I'm totally having a PTSD flashback right now!!!" However, someone truly experiencing a PTSD flashback may experience sensory, emotional, and physical reactions. Some may even experience a dissociative state where they actually believe they are in that moment. These states can last a short as a few seconds to as long as a few days (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2013, p. 275). This silly post, therefore, portrays a PTSD flashback as a simple jump, giggle, and maybe even a quick experience of fear. I find this depiction and caption to be insensitive to those who are suffering from this condition. This social media user is clearly oblivious to the distress this type of experience has on those with PTSD. Because of posts like these, therapist and psychologists working with individuals with PTSD flashbacks may have to help their clients understand that they are not overreacting or "crazy" for having such an intense emotional, sensory, and/or physical reaction to these experiences. These therapists will likely also need to work closely with the family to understand the severity of the situation and the impact this has on the client's life. PTSD flashback are no joke, despite the portrayal of these experiences in social media. 

Image from Twitter user's post. Name has been redacted for confidentiality purposes.

Our next post is written by a mother in reference to her child's hair cut experience. Now, to this mother's defense, we all know that young children and hair cuts are NOT always the fondest of memories. The crying, screaming, and outright embarrassment leaves you begging to never cut your child's hair again, especially not at the same hair salon or barber shop. However, comparing a simple hair cut to "torture" that is going to cause PTSD is completely ridiculous and insensitive. Similar to our mutant image above, comments like that are minimizing the traumatic events that actually leave someone in complete distress. Based on the criteria set in this post, every parent in the world suffers from PTSD! Again, I am frustrated by the lack of awareness and acknowledgement of what this condition really means for those who suffer from it. I'm sure that someone with PTSD who reads this post wishes this could be their most traumatic experience. These types of posts put our therapists and psychologists in situations where they need to help their clients understand that 1) this is a serious disorder that they need to treat and 2) they should not feel ashamed of the trauma they have experienced. I can only imagine how isolated these people may feel from society when they see that their possibly debilitating condition is apparently affecting all of the "normal" people around them.

In reflecting on my past conversations, I definitely recall times when I've thrown in a dramatic phrase (using a mental illness) to create a wittier, more engaging story. However, after taking a step back, I realize the insensitivity I was showing towards those who actually suffer from conditions like PTSD. I was completely contributing to the desensitization of mental illness in our society. As a result, I'm definitely going to choose my words wisely next time I'm creating that "dramatic twist" in my story.