Why Does PTSD Get Overlooked?

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a traumatic stress-related mental health disorder. In the past decade, the general public has become more aware of the basic signs and symptoms of PTSD. However, the appropriate diagnosis and screening for PTSD still remain largely overlooked. In fact, one study notes that as many as half of the PTSD diagnoses, and a general clinic may be missed during routine clinical screenings (1). So why is that? Today we will work to answer that question.

As a therapist specializing in trauma, it is very common to see clients who have been suffering from PTSD symptoms for years without the correct label and understanding of their experiences. There are good and complex reasons that PTSD diagnoses are sometimes overlooked, and today we will discuss these reasons.

Lack of Awareness and Education Surrounding PTSD

While it may feel as though conversations surrounding trauma and PTSD are occurring all the time, it is important to remember that PTSD did not even become a diagnosis until 1980 (2). And at that time, the research and understanding related to PTSD and other trauma related disorders were highly limited. It is only been over the last 40 or so years that the clinical evidence for diagnosing, treating, and evaluating trauma-related disorders has been developed. 

And  relatively speaking, that is a short time. Well, of course, trauma, and PTSD symptoms have existed in the population long before we had the PTSD label to associate it with, the diagnostic label is what gives researchers, therapists, psychologists, and other mental health providers, a construct for treating educating, and understanding symptoms. And while we’ve come a significant way, in the distribution of trauma-informed, education, and trauma-informed care, there is still work to be done both within professional realms, and within the general population.

Stigma and Societal Barriers

 In addition to the challenges within health and human services professions incorrectly evaluating symptoms of PTSD and trauma, there is also a general stigma and some barriers related to our societal understanding of trauma that also impacts the under-diagnosing of PTSD. For example, it is not uncommon for a trauma therapist, like myself to hear, “No, I didn’t experience any trauma.” From a client during an initial intake to later, find out that an individual may have, indeed, experienced significant trauma, but had never labeled it as such.

As trauma therapists, we very much encourage the working definition of trauma as anything that overwhelms one’s ability to cope or make sense of during that moment. And when we use that broad lens for understanding trauma, things that are saving all ignorable based off of one’s upbringing, can actually fit into, those categories of trauma based on how the body may have responded to those experiences in those moments. We continue to encourage and educate that there is no specific criteria for what constitutes a trauma. We are much more concerned about how the body responded to the events that we encountered rather than the content of the events themselves.

Challenges in Identifying and Diagnosing PTSD

Finally, the way in which, PTSD and other trauma-related disorders present, if the general population is diverse. The diversity of trauma symptoms actually increases the complication when it comes to correctly identifying and diagnosing, PTSD, and other trauma related disorders. Trauma can present in physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, and psychological symptoms, and there can be a wide range of specific symptoms that exist even within these major categories. As a result, it’s not uncommon for someone to present in a variety of different ways, and still meet criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. 

If you were curious, if you or someone you love, may meet the criteria for PTSD and benefit from PTSD or trauma-related treatments, it is important to get connected with a trauma professional for a quality evaluation. Individuals with PTSD that remain on diagnosis often experience an increased level of adverse mental health and health outcomes (3). Appropriate and accurate diagnosing is key.
If you are interested in learning more about trauma treatment here in the Arlington, TX, or DFW area, a member of our team would love to connect with you. With options for online therapy, in-person therapy, EMDR therapy, DBT therapy, and more, we offer a variety of ways to meet your needs.