When many people think of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), an image of an embattled and shell-shocked soldier pops into their minds. But this image only paints a fraction of the overall picture when it comes to this trauma-related mental health issue.
Consider this — about 70% of adults in the United States, which adds up to more than 223 million people, experience a traumatic event at least once in their lifetime. Thankfully, not everyone develops PTSD, but many do, which is why the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in the US is nearly 7%. That is no small number.
Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Matthew Goldenberg has a great deal of experience helping patients break free from their PTSD so they can lead happy, productive lives that are not overshadowed by trauma.
One thing Dr. Goldenberg has learned along the way is that no one is immune to PTSD and having PTSD does not mean you are weak or powerless to get help.
In recent decades, great strides have been made in raising the awareness of PTSD among combat veterans, and for good reason. For far too long, soldiers returned home carrying a good deal of trauma with them, and this invisible injury is just as serious as any physical one.
While we applaud the efforts to get combat veterans the help they need for PTSD, we want to underscore a very important point — PTSD is not confined to combat. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs reports that 7 out of every 100 veterans develop PTSD, which is compared to 6 out of every 100 civilian adults.
In reality, trauma is all around us and most certainly found beyond the battlefield. Some examples of traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include:
It is rare to find someone who has not experienced some sort of trauma in life. For example, our recent global pandemic, which we all shared, could be counted as a significant and common traumatic experience.
We also want to shine the spotlight on women because they develop PTSD two to three times more than men. One of the main reasons for this gender disparity is that women are more often victims of violence and assault.
Even when women and men face the same traumatic event, women are more likely to develop PTSD. We’re not fully sure why this occurs, but it does and we want to be there to help.
Our goal with this article is to emphasize that PTSD can strike just about anyone — no matter your age, gender, or circumstance.
The good news is that we offer a way out of your PTSD through expert psychiatry care that starts with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Treatment recommendations are always individualized and might include medications, psychotherapy, and behavioral therapies. Dr. Goldenberg tailors a treatment plan to each patient's unique needs, experiences and goals.
To learn more about how we can help you break free from PTSD, we invite you to contact Dr. Goldenberg to set up a free, 10-minute phone consultation.
Dr. Goldenberg is based in Santa Monica, California, and sees patients from all over California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. He also sees patients via secure telehealth appointments from all over California and Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Wasilla, Kodiak, and other areas within the state of Alaska. To schedule your consultation, simply click here.
