Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone exposed to trauma. While often linked to military service, PTSD also affects:
- Car accident survivors
- People who have experienced sexual assault
- People exposed to natural disasters
- Children who witness violence
PTSD develops when the brain struggles to process and store traumatic experiences, resulting in ongoing distress.
How is PTSD diagnosed?
PTSD is generally diagnosed when symptoms last longer than one month and interfere with daily life. Symptoms include:
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Nightmares
- Avoidance behaviours
- Emotional numbness
- Hyperarousal, such as being easily startled
- Negative changes in mood and thinking
Left untreated, PTSD can affect relationships, employment, and physical health.
Myth 1: PTSD is untreatable
PTSD is treatable with evidence-based therapies and, in some cases, medication. Effective treatment options include:
- Psychotherapy: one-on-one or group sessions with a psychologist
- Exposure therapy: gradual, supported exposure to trauma-related triggers in a safe setting
- EMDR therapy: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
- Medication: such as antidepressants, where appropriate, for anxiety, irritability, and low mood
Supporting habits like better sleep, regular activity, and reduced alcohol can also help recovery.
Myth 2: PTSD is a sign of weakness
PTSD is a natural response to overwhelming stress, not a personal failure. Several factors influence who develops it:
- Trauma severity and duration
- Type of trauma (for example, violence compared with an accident)
- Past trauma history
- Individual neurobiology and stress response
- Lack of social support
The belief that PTSD reflects weakness often discourages people from seeking help.
Myth 3: People with PTSD are unstable or dangerous
PTSD is not the same as psychosis and does not make a person violent. This myth is fuelled by media portrayals that are not supported by research. Most people living with PTSD are:
- Emotionally reactive
- Withdrawn or hypervigilant
- Coping with internal distress
PTSD is about survival, not aggression. People with PTSD are far more likely to be affected by their own distress than to pose a risk to others.
Myth 4: People with PTSD can’t live normal lives
With treatment and support, people with PTSD can recover and live full lives. Most people:
- Continue working
- Maintain relationships
- Stay engaged in their communities
- Manage symptoms with healthy coping strategies
Recovery may take time, but it is both possible and common with the right care.
How Mind-Care supports people with PTSD
At Mind-Care, our psychologists provide trauma-informed therapy for adolescents and adults, including EMDR and CBT. Care is paced around safety, and appointments are available in person in Newcastle and Charlestown, or via secure telehealth across NSW.
If you are living with the effects of trauma, you do not have to manage it alone. Book an appointment or contact our team to talk through your options.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone get PTSD?
Yes. PTSD affects people of all ages and backgrounds after exposure to trauma.
Is PTSD treatable?
Yes. Psychotherapy, EMDR, medication, and supporting lifestyle changes all help recovery.
Does PTSD mean someone is dangerous?
No. PTSD is not associated with violence or psychosis. That is a harmful myth.
What are the signs of PTSD?
Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, irritability, and mood changes lasting more than a month.
Can someone with PTSD live a normal life?
Yes. With treatment, people with PTSD can function well in their personal and working lives.
What treatment does Mind-Care offer for PTSD?
Mind-Care provides trauma-informed therapy, including EMDR and CBT, for adolescents and adults.
This article was reviewed and updated by the Mind-Care team in June 2026.
