June 5, 2021

This June, Get to Know the Truth About This Mental Condition

Photo by SHVETS production under Pexels License

At any given time, 7 or 8 out of every 100 people in the country will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their lifetimes. Currently, almost 8 million people in the United States have PTSD, and they include children as young as 2 years old.

Unfortunately, not everyone with this mental condition has access to treatment. Some don’t have enough money, while some are skeptical about the effectiveness of therapy or medication. And then there are those who believe that seeking professional help is a sign of weakness.

PTSD Awareness Month this June aims to encourage these people to get the treatment they need. The month-long observance highlights the importance of learning about the condition and how it should be dealt with.

It encourages the loved ones of sufferers to do their part to convince the latter to get treatment. As for individuals who lack the money to pay for the cost of treatment, they may be able to get free treatment from therapists in their community, particularly those who are strong supporters of the campaign.

The Truth About PTSD to Debunk These 5 Myths

In observance of PTSD Awareness Month, Veteran Car Donations is here to debunk the five most common myths about this mental illness. It’s time to put an end to these misconceptions and unveil the truth about this mental health affliction.

Myth #1: Only combat veterans can develop PTSD.

Fact: Anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event can get PTSD.

Given the violent nature of war, PTSD is more often than not associated with soldiers in war zones. However, trauma comes in various forms, affecting individuals from all walks of life.

People may develop PTSD after seeing or going through any of these events:

• Sexual assaults
• Violent crimes
• Natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes
• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Major accidents

Myth #2: Symptoms of PTSD emerge right away after a traumatic event.

Fact: PTSD can take months or even years to develop.

The truth is that not everyone who goes through a life-threatening event shows PTSD symptoms immediately. Some may develop the condition a few years after the incident. This is known as delayed onset PTSD.

Myth #3: Everyone who experiences a traumatic event will eventually develop PTSD.

Fact: Relatively few people do.

Only 6.8% of American adults develop lifelong PTSD after experiencing trauma. Although there’s no clear explanation as to what causes a person to develop PTSD, there are some factors that have been found to increase their vulnerability, such as:

• Having had more negative life events such as divorce, death of a loved one, and problems at work
• Experiencing repeated trauma
• Low self-esteem
• Weak social support

Myth #4: You don’t have PTSD if you don’t have any flashbacks.

Fact: You can have PTSD without experiencing flashbacks.

PTSD comes in many forms, depending on the person and the severity of the trauma they experienced. Some may have recurring flashbacks of the trauma, while others may have difficulty recalling parts of it.

PTSD symptoms fall under one of the four categories:

• Intrusive memories: You get flashbacks of the distressing event and feel like you’re living it over again.
• Avoidance: You stay away from places or people that remind you of the trauma, or refuse to talk about it.
• Negative thoughts and feelings: You lose interest in activities you used to enjoy. You often find yourself feeling hopeless and depressed.
• Arousal symptoms: You find it difficult to concentrate or fall asleep. You often feel irritable and easily startled.

Myth #5: It’s impossible to treat PTSD.

Fact: Many therapies can treat PTSD effectively.

Treatment will vary depending on the type of trauma experienced, the severity of symptoms, and the personality and environment of the sufferer. Here are several evidence-based treatments known to help people overcome PTSD:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Prolonged exposure therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Medication

Help Veterans Combat PTSD and Other Major Challenges in Life

There’s no better time than PTSD Awareness Month this June to reach out to our former service members whose poor mental health is disrupting them from living meaningful and productive lives. Many of them are continuously grappling with PTSD and other mental health issues as well as homelessness, service-connected disabilities, unemployment, and illnesses.

This month gives you the best opportunity to extend a helping hand to the suffering vets in your local area. By donating an unneeded clunker to us here at Veteran Car Donations, you’ll make it possible for them to turn their lives around.

We’ll put your vehicle up for auction, with the proceeds going to our veteran-focused nonprofit partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations use the funding that we give them to provide their beneficiaries with quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits.

Donating to us is quick and easy. We won’t hassle you with unnecessary steps or complicated paperwork. All you have to do is contact us.

Moreover, you won’t go home empty-handed after making your donation. You’ll receive precious rewards such as the free and fast towing of your unwanted vehicle wherever you had it parked or stored anywhere in the country.

Your charitable contribution will also entitle you to receive the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.

Perhaps more importantly, your act of charity will give you a feeling of intense satisfaction, knowing that you’ll be helping uplift the lives of the heroes residing in your area.

We accept almost all types of vehicles regardless of their age or condition. Find out more about them here.

If you’re interested to see how our donation process works, feel free to visit our FAQs page. If you have any questions or concerns, you may reach us at 877-594-5822 or you may send us a message here.

Support Our Hurting Heroes Today

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Your vehicle donation will surely make a difference in the lives of the hurting heroes and their families in your community. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form now!

Last Updated: March 8th, 2023