There is a current trend to apply the label of PTSD to our family and friends if they have any anxiety, trauma, or depression. Many members are self diagnosing other people.
This is not healthy for a few reasons. One being that it's rather unfair to the friend or family member (whether living or not.) How would you feel if someone was running around telling others you were bipolar or clinically depressed? Not very good I would bet. We are not doctors. We are not experts that can diagnosis and treating someone you know like this is rather insensitive.
The second reason is just because someone may have experienced trauma, death, pain, anxiety etc.. does not mean they have PTSD. PTSD is actually a lot less common than some people think. You can even have every symptom of PTSD but not have PTSD. A very small percentage of people actually develop PTSD. Keep this in mind.
The third point I would like to address is the view that it's being passed on. PTSD is not hereditary. You can not pass it on from one member to the next. You can teach your children unhealthy coping skills, fears, etc.. but you can not pass on PTSD. PTSD is damage to the brain from trauma. It is caused by a chemical imbalance between the two hemispheres. This is not something you just pass along.
Thanks,
bec
This is not healthy for a few reasons. One being that it's rather unfair to the friend or family member (whether living or not.) How would you feel if someone was running around telling others you were bipolar or clinically depressed? Not very good I would bet. We are not doctors. We are not experts that can diagnosis and treating someone you know like this is rather insensitive.
The second reason is just because someone may have experienced trauma, death, pain, anxiety etc.. does not mean they have PTSD. PTSD is actually a lot less common than some people think. You can even have every symptom of PTSD but not have PTSD. A very small percentage of people actually develop PTSD. Keep this in mind.
The third point I would like to address is the view that it's being passed on. PTSD is not hereditary. You can not pass it on from one member to the next. You can teach your children unhealthy coping skills, fears, etc.. but you can not pass on PTSD. PTSD is damage to the brain from trauma. It is caused by a chemical imbalance between the two hemispheres. This is not something you just pass along.
Thanks,
bec