Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) impacts millions, yet misconceptions and stigma often prevent people from seeking the care they need. Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) launched America’s Mental Health PTSD Pulse Survey to gain insight into the PTSD myths. The findings reveal just how pervasive they are — underscoring the urgent need for more education, reduced stigma, and improved access to care.
“A lack of understanding feeds into the stigma associated with mental health challenges such as PTSD, which can deter people from seeking care. As a means to address any misunderstandings that surround PTSD, we wanted to take a look at Americans’ perceptions of the disorder. What we found is that there are strong misconceptions on everything from symptoms to treatments.”
– Dr. Anthony Hassan, President and CEO of Cohen Veterans Network
Understanding PTSD Through the Data
The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults and conducted by The Harris Poll, offers a broad overview of Americans’ perceptions of PTSD. Here are some key areas of misunderstanding revealed in the survey, paired with the research-supported facts:
Myth #1: “PTSD is extremely common among veterans.“
- Survey Result: Two-thirds (67%) of Americans believe most veterans experience PTSD.
- Fact: While PTSD is slightly more common among veterans than civilians, the majority of veterans do not develop PTSD. At some point in their lifetime, only 7% of veterans will experience PTSD (compared with 6% of adults in the general population).
Myth #2: “Most people with PTSD are violent or dangerous.”
- Survey Result: One in four (26%) Americans believe the majority of people with PTSD are violent/dangerous.
- Fact: People with PTSD are not dangerous. Although PTSD is associated with an increased risk of violence, the majority of veterans and non-veterans with PTSD have never engaged in violence.
Myth #3: “PTSD isn’t treatable.”
- Survey Result: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (23%) believe PTSD is not treatable, and unfortunately, respondents with a military affiliation were 2x more likely to believe this myth.
- Fact: PTSD is treatable. Multiple treatment options are effective for treating PTSD. For example, Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are both research-supported, short-term effective therapies to address PTSD. Many who engage in treatment fully recover from PTSD.
Myth #4: “PTSD symptoms start immediately after trauma.”
- Survey Result: 40% of respondents believe PTSD develops immediately after a traumatic event.
- Fact: Symptoms of PTSD often start within 3 months, but they can also emerge years later.
Myth #5: “Experiencing trauma guarantees PTSD.“
- Survey Result: More than half of Americans (59%) believe that if you experience trauma you will develop PTSD.
- Fact: The vast majority of people who experience a traumatic event will not develop PTSD. Nearly everyone encounters at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Most individuals will have a reaction and recover over time, but about 6% of people develop PTSD.
Myth #6: Key Symptoms Are Overgeneralized.
- Survey Result: 78% believe flashbacks are the most common symptom, while others think nightmares and hypervigilance are universal.
- Fact: PTSD manifests differently in individuals. While flashbacks and nightmares are common, symptoms also include intrusive memories, avoidance, distorted beliefs, emotional detachment, irritability, and concentration difficulties. Learn more about PTSD Symptoms.
PTSD Help for Veterans and Families
CVN provides high-quality, accessible mental health services to post-9/11 veterans, service members and military family members through its Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics across the country. Treatment is available for a wide variety of mental health challenges including PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, military transition challenges, relationship problems, and children’s behavioral problems. Care is available in-person and also via CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy.
About the Study
Cohen Veterans Network is committed to increasing access to mental health care services. America’s Mental Health PTSD Pulse Study was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Cohen Veterans Network and included 2,032 American adults aged 18 or older who participated in an online survey between May 18 – 19, 2021. Results were weighted to Census targets for education, age/gender, race/ethnicity, region, household income, and propensity to be online were adjusted where necessary to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.