5. Coping With PTSD Is a Sign of Weakness
Emrani says that one myth that particularly upsets her is the idea that people who have PTSD are “weak.”
“A lot of times people might say, ‘Oh, that person who has PTSD is weak, they’re easily susceptible to trauma.’ I just want to debunk that right now,” she says. “It is not a weakness and it isn’t something that people ‘should just get over,’ as they might be told by misinformed people. In fact, I would say it’s the opposite; it’s rather courageous when people come forward to seek treatment and help and are open to discussing and exploring their trauma.”
PTSD is a serious, chronic mental health condition, and it isn’t something to take as a joke. No matter the source of trauma, it can take years or decades to get over the lasting effects of the experience or experiences. The symptoms may be chronic, or they may even wax and wane over time.
“If your leg is broken, you go to the doctor and get a cast, and eventually have to ease back into running,” Emrani says. “No one says, ‘Go run’ immediately. PTSD is like that. If you are suffering from trauma of some kind, it takes a long time to work through that. It is nothing close to a weakness or something anyone should feel guilty about.”
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