Originally written for The HLP App
Key Words:
PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition caused by a traumatic experience
CPTSD – Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition where you experience some symptoms of PTSD along with some additional symptoms, such as: difficulty controlling your emotions, and feeling very angry or distrustful towards the world
Trauma - The lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event
We would like to acknowledge that PTSD has the potential to affect everyone. That being said, this article focuses on how the negative effects of PTSD interact with the negative societal expectations put on men by a culture of toxic masculinity.
Introduction ✍
Sometimes, events can be so traumatic that it causes significant difficulty and distress down the line. This distress can manifest itself as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD for short.
Whilst PTSD can develop in men, women and non-binary individuals, men are far more likely to experience some of the more negative after-effects, including self-harm, substance abuse and risk-seeking behaviour.
So, why does this happen?
In this article, we’ll define PTSD, what it looks like and the effect it has. We’ll also specifically explore how it affects men and what we can do about it.
What exactly is PTSD? 🔎
PTSD is a mental health condition that develops in response to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, or events.
PTSD is complex, and can come with a lot of negative symptoms, behaviours and side effects, including but not limited to:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Distressing intrusive thoughts
Memory loss
Paranoia
Deterioration in relationships
Feeling unsafe
Depression
Feelings of shame and guilt
Feeling jumpy / easily startled
Intolerance of certain sounds (this is also called misophonia)
PTSD can affect anyone who has gone through or witnessed a distressing experience.
You may have heard of it due to its association with war veterans, but PTSD can develop in an individual if they’ve been in a car accident, witnessed a natural disaster, or suffered through any acts of violence.
It is important to remember that there is no one event that is more likely to cause PTSD than another. Trauma is trauma, and it affects everyone differently.
PTSD affects about 1 in 3 people who experience a traumatic event, and it is not actually known why some individuals develop PTSD and others don’t.
Like most other disorders, PTSD has variants, the most prominent one being Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or C-PTSD for short.
Like the name suggests, C-PTSD can be caused by varying and complex factors.
C-PTSD is more likely to develop if the trauma is prolonged and repetitive, like domestic violence, human trafficking, bullying, neglect and childhood abuse.
In addition to the above symptoms, C-PTSD can also come with difficulties forming lasting relationships, emotional regulation and self- esteem issues.
How can I spot it? 👀
PTSD is an invisible illness, and presents differently in different people. But some things to watch out for are:
Withdrawing / spending time alone
Extreme avoidance of certain subjects
Extreme negative reactions to seemingly insignificant events
Extreme discomfort when experiencing loud noises
Frequent and consistent problems with relationships
Blaming oneself for everything
It’s important to note that whilst the above can be seen as signs of PTSD, they do not constitute a diagnosis.
Why Men? 👨🦲
While PTSD can affect all individuals, studies have shown that women with PTSD outnumber men at a ratio of 2:1.
This does not mean that men are immune to the disorder; this statistic does not account for men that have undiagnosed PTSD. In fact, research shows that men face unique challenges when it comes to recognising and seeking help in general.
There is a societal expectation that men should be real men, strong and stoic, able to handle any difficult situation without showing vulnerability.
This is an unhealthy and dangerous stereotype which can make it difficult for men to express their emotions, look inward, and ask for help, as they fear being perceived as weak, or unmanly.
When the trauma is in a domestic abuse context, men face even more barriers when it comes to acknowledging their PTSD and its damaging effects.
It can be said that society fails to acknowledge male victims of domestic violence, which leads to a lack of awareness, support and resources.
As a result, many individuals suffer in silence, worsening the impact of their PTSD.
What can we do? 🤝
Whilst the overall problem is with the gender politics of our society, we can find ways to help on an individual level.
If we break down the stereotypes and stigmas associated with masculinity and mental health, we can create an environment where men feel safe and supported in seeking help.
We can do this by talking.
Encourage an open dialogue, which can lead to the provision of education on the effects of PTSD in men, and a more open discussion about the impact of domestic abuse.
If you suspect that a male identifying individual in your life may be struggling with PTSD, it is important to be vigilant, compassionate, and patient.
Encourage them to share their experiences and feelings without judgment.
Remember that seeking professional help, such as therapy or counselling, can play a vital role in their recovery journey.
Conclusion ✍
By raising awareness about PTSD in men and offering support, we can create a community that acknowledges the unique struggles faced by male survivors and works towards their healing and well-being. By acknowledging these struggles, we can create a safer world for everyone.
By showing kindness and understanding to those around us, we can provide solace to those who may be silently battling the invisible wounds of trauma.
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