For many, this Veterans Day comes with a little extra heaviness. Just days ago, our country elected a new president who has insulted decorated war veterans and suggested that post-traumatic stress disorder is a sign of weakness.
Unfortunately, PTSD myths and stereotypes like this are all too common. An estimated 8 million Americans â?? and up to 31 percent of Vietnam War veteransand 20 percent of Iraq veterans â?? suffer from PTSD, and rates of the disorder in the U.S. are now higher than ever.
But still, the disorder is poorly understood, stigmatized and often misrepresented, and the negative connotations surrounding PTSD are a major part of what keeps many veterans from seeking help. Increasing understanding around the disorder can only help more veterans to seek help and get better treatment.
