How Do I Know If PTSD Articles Are Credible?
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is generally defined as a serious condition that can have a major impact on the lives of the people who have it (and those who love them). It’s can be a complex condition that may leave people with unanswered questions about its causes, symptoms and treatment.
While it’s generally recommended to get your information by speaking to a licensed mental healthcare professional with a background in helping people cope with PTSD, the internet can provide an outlet to learn about the disorder, too. But like other serious conditions, internet research about PTSD may do more harm than good if your sources of information aren’t properly vetted.
There is generally a wealth of reliable information about PTSD via blogs and articles from service providers and nonprofits that specialize in mental health conditions. Knowing how to find them and how to tell if a website is not credible is considered by many to be essential when conducting an online search.
How to tell if a website is credible: A guide
One of the first things many might look for when landing on a website is to determine who is running the site. It should be easy for most to find an “about” tab on the site, either on the landing page or in a drop-down menu outlining who publishes the materials there and what groups they may be affiliated with.
When clicking on a specific post, you might also look for information about the author/editor. Have they written any books or won any awards? Do they have prior experience with writing or studying the topic? Also, if the writer isn’t a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or therapist, you might choose to look for an indication that the post was verified as clinically accurate by a pro.
As you search, there should generally be a link to the author, editor or expert’s contact information and credentials. If there isn’t, but the article still seems legitimate, a quick Google search should yield results that can help to establish the site’s credibility.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it can be helpful to make sure the blogs cite solid sources for statistics, case studies and other information. If there are no hyperlinks within the text, you can also look for footnotes or notations within the article. You can then click on these links and see where they lead.
If they trend towards “infotainment,” that is, information that comes from pop culture sources like fashion and wellness blogs, it may be worth passing over. That doesn’t mean the source isn’t credible—however, there may be more accurate and targeted sources available as you continue your search.
Personal experience vs. research
If you aren’t looking for expert advice, you might appreciate articles written by individuals with firsthand experience with PTSD. There can be many moving narratives from PTSD survivors who might post their experiences online to help others. Memoirs and personal PTSD books and articles can be very helpful as well, especially if you’re looking to get a firsthand account of someone else’s experiences with PTSD, how they found help and how it impacted their relationships.
It can be prudent to note that personal experience can be a very subjective thing, however, and you may or may not be able to relate on a personal level with everything you read.
If you’d like to do a little research into autobiographies or publications documenting the experiences of others with PTSD, a quick Google review search should help.
If you're looking for factual information or the latest in research on PTSD, however, you may choose to look for sites that have a .edu domain—which means that a college or university might have built the site.
Sites that have a .gov domain generally belong to a government website, and you can usually count those in your list of trusted resources. Domains such as .com, .org, and .net are domains that anyone can buy and use to build a website.
That doesn’t mean they aren't credible; it just means you should consider the possibility of implicit bias or inaccuracy when reading them.
Design and professionalism
A professionally designed site can often be an indication of reliable information. Good design can also make it easy to navigate around the site and find the information you're looking for.
However, you may benefit from keeping two things in mind: Site-builder programs make it easy for anyone to build a webpage, and sometimes, good-looking sites can be deceiving. If you're not sure if a site is accurate or trustworthy, you can look for other sites or information to validate that the information there will be helpful for you.
Lastly, you might choose to evaluate the writing style of the page. Armed with the knowledge that anyone can build a decent website in an hour or less, you can then review the spelling, grammar and tone of voice for the site. Credible sites are generally mindful of their editing and presentation.
How to find credible PTSD stories and articles
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a shocking, scary, or dangerous event”.
This means that anyone can develop PTSD, regardless of age, sexual orientation or class. War veterans, victims of any kind of abuse or neglect, and survivors of natural disasters or other trauma may be at a higher risk of acquiring PTSD.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
A host of exclusive and nonprofit organizations generally devote their time and attention to educating others and advocating or lobbying for improved services. These types of organizations can be good sources of credible information, and the information they provide may be more current than many alternatives.
You may want to get on the e-mailing list for a few of your favorites, which can help the most current information, events, and opportunities that will come right into your email inbox.
PTSD articles and blogs from nonprofit organizations
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)—NAMI was founded in 1979 by Harriet Shelter and Beverly Young, which many believe happened over a conversation at a kitchen table in Madison, Wisconsin. They pondered ways to help themselves and others with family who live with a mental health condition. Since then, NAMI has grown to become one of the largest grassroots mental health organizations that are dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans who can possibly be affected by mental health conditions. Today, NAMI has over 500 affiliates that offer education, support, and advocacy for people living with mental illness.
- National Institute of Mental Health—The National Institute of Mental Health is thought by many to be the lead federal agency for research on mental health disorders. This site generally has a wealth of information for providers and individuals on all types of mental health conditions. Here, you can find the latest news and events that surround mental health. You can also find the latest information about clinical breakthroughs. You can subscribe to various newsletters and news feeds for the most up-to-date information on all things mental health.
- Child Mind Institute—The Child Mind Institute is known by many as a national nonprofit organization that serves children and families who face difficulties with mental health and learning disorders. This organization advocates legislatively to advance the science of brain development to support children's mental health as they're growing up. The site notes that of the 74.5 million children in the United States, about 17.1 million have or have had a mental health condition. That is more than the number of children living with cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Children and adolescents who live with mental health disorders can be at risk for trouble in school, addiction, and the juvenile justice system. This group Is noted to be reliable by many, as the publishers draw their information from colleges and universities, scientific journals, and researchers. The site lists lots of mental health topics under the health tab.
How can online therapy help those who are looking for resources?
Online therapy can be a helpful resource for those who are looking for resources, providing people with support they may need in the moment to address symptoms of PTSD. Your therapist may also be familiar with resources that can help, such as trusted publications or websites.
Is online therapy effective?
With the prevalence of online therapy options, many wonder if it is comparable to in-person therapeutic support. An article published in Psychological Bulletin has found that it is a comparable supportive method for depression, which can be a co-morbidity of PTSD.
Takeaway
What is a good source of evidence-based information about treatments for PTSD?
One source of evidence-based information about post-traumatic stress disorder treatments can be found through the Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD. This research and educational center offers information regarding clinical practice guidelines, as well as up-to-date treatments for PTSD. These treatments currently include various types of psychotherapy, medication, and alternative approaches like complementary and integrative health (CIH) and mindfulness. The National Center for PTSD can also show individuals ways to access treatment, in addition to sharing stories from those experiencing the disorder.
What do researchers say about PTSD?
There is a significant amount of research relating to all facets of PTSD, including its symptoms, long-term effects, and treatment. One typically reliable resource you can utilize is the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which lists featured studies relating to PTSD and current research focuses relating to the disorder. These studies include the use of newer treatments like Ketamine, research on specific demographics being affected like frontline health care workers, and expanded research on topics like cognitive processing therapy.
Why is the diagnosis of PTSD controversial?
While PTSD may not currently be a controversial diagnosis, there have been some controversies in the past surrounding the disorder. First introduced as a psychiatric disorder in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the criteria for PTSD was initially criticized. Experts questioned what the precise definition of trauma was, how many symptoms there were in total, and even whether the diagnosis was valid at all. Subsequent editions of the DSM have changed aspects of PTSD’s criteria, with one major change being its reclassification from an anxiety disorder to a trauma and stress-related disorder.
What do most people not know about PTSD?
One common misconception about PTSD is that it can only happen for those that experienced the trauma of war. While combat veterans may experience high rates of PTSD, the disorder isn’t limited to those who have been exposed to warfare. In reality, developing PTSD is a process that may occur after a number of traumatic situations, including abuse, a serious car accident, the loss of a loved one, serious health problems, experiences during childbirth, and physical or sexual assault.
Another PTSD topic some may not be aware of is traumatic event avoidance. Traumatic event avoidance symptoms can lead someone to avoid discussing or thinking about their trauma. In other cases, a person may avoid any places or people that may remind them of a traumatic event. This can make it difficult to seek support, as one may feel physically unable to talk about their trauma.
What is the best theoretical approach for PTSD?
Different treatment approaches can have varying levels of effectiveness depending on individual risk factors and the nature of a person’s trauma. In many cases, two therapeutic approaches that can be helpful are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT (sometimes called talk therapy) can help individuals identify and address the emotions and behaviors associated with PTSD in order to find ways to improve functioning. Talk therapy may involve sessions focusing on understanding their traumatic experiences, as well as techniques they can use to cope with their PTSD symptoms and increase their potential for positive emotions.
- Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy for PTSD typically involves individuals describing the details of their traumatic experiences and confronting their feelings relating to their trauma. This may be done through exposure to realistic stimuli that may invoke feelings of anxiety or fear until an individual experiences less severe symptoms.
Why is PTSD not taken seriously?
While the mental health community takes PTSD very seriously, some individuals may not. In addition, it is possible for PTSD to be misdiagnosed or go undetected, which may be interpreted as not taking the disorder seriously. One of the reasons for this may be that PTSD can share symptoms with other mental health disorders like anxiety. Examples of these shared mood symptoms include panic, irritability, anger, difficulty controlling one’s emotions, and negative thoughts.
Another reason PTSD may not be taken seriously is due to the stigmas surrounding the disorder. Individuals may not seek diagnosis or treatment due to the belief they will face public discrimination or that it may prevent them from finding employment. In addition, depictions in media may paint those with PTSD as dangerous, which could lead to further avoidance of a diagnosis.
Do people with PTSD realize they have it?
In some cases, it's possible to have PTSD without realizing it. Part of the reason behind this is the possibility of misdiagnosis, as PTSD can sometimes be mistaken for anxiety or depression. In other situations, a person may not realize they have PTSD due to struggles with their memory. It's possible for individuals to forget traumatic events due to the way PTSD can affect the brain. One of these affected areas is the hippocampus, which plays a large role in memory and learning. While it can be possible to recover functioning in this region, this is typically done through treatment, which can be difficult to receive if an individual isn’t aware they have PTSD.
Do people with PTSD know their triggers?
While some individuals experiencing PTSD are aware of their triggers, others may not be. In some cases, those living with PTSD may not know about a specific trigger until they have encountered it. As a result, they may be surprised by their symptoms and have a more difficult time coping. In certain situations, these triggers won’t be obvious or may not seem related to one’s trauma. For example, someone’s trauma may result from sexual assault, but their triggers may not have anything to do with sex. In addition, some triggers can be subtle due to forms in which they manifest, which can include specific sights, sounds, smells, or sensations.
What method is most effective for processing trauma?
One of the most effective treatment methods for processing trauma is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. CBT focuses on a person’s thought patterns, behavior, and coping methods. In many cases, these therapy sessions will involve identifying what distortions in thinking are causing a person to struggle, how their thoughts are influencing their behavior, and increasing one’s confidence in one’s self and abilities.
In cases involving trauma, CBT can help a person address the events they’ve experienced and understand their impact. From there, therapists can help individuals separate healthy and unhealthy patterns of thought and reconfigure how they think about a traumatic event. This may help them find relief from their symptoms and, in some cases, move past their trauma.
Which psychological intervention is the most effective treatment for PTSD?
There are a variety of effective treatments for PTSD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. While treatment efficacy will vary by the individual, one of the psychological interventions designed specifically for PTSD is EMDR.
First developed in 1987, EMDR focuses on processing traumatic memories and understanding the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that occurred during these events. This type of therapy focuses the use of eye movements and rhythmic bilateral stimulation to prevent individuals from being overwhelmed while they process their memories. EMDR may help reduce arousal symptoms, reformulate negative beliefs, and relieve the distress associated with PTSD.
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