NEW YORK, NY, April 06, 2022 - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often depicted in the media in ways that link the disorder to violent outbursts. But, writes Jenna Williams, this is a misconception that harms those who suffer from this disorder.
"In reality, the majority of people with PTSD do not exhibit outwardly violent behavior and are civilians," Williams writes in her scholarship-winning essay for the Dansker & Aspromonte Associates PTSD Scholarship. While the disorder can affect those who have served in the military, civilians constitute the majority of cases.
Williams is passionate about this misconception because it can greatly impact the way people treat others who have been diagnosed with PTSD. Plus, the inappropriate juxtaposition of violence with the disorder can create a stigma that prevents those in need from seeking help.
"People experiencing PTSD unequivocally deserve access to compassionate care," she writes. "Through minimizing misconceptions about posttraumatic stress, people may be more likely to seek help and receive informed care."
In fact, Williams points out that there is no correlation between PTSD and violence once outlying factors such as brain injuries and drug usage are taken into account. While members of the military are often affected, nearly a third of all sexual assault victims develop the disorder.
A student at Indiana University, Jenna Williams will graduate with an international studies major, a journalism certificate, and a Spanish minor. She plans to teach English in Spain following her graduation, coming back to the U.S. to work in non-profit communications and eventually attend law school.
About Dansker & Aspromonte Associates
Headquartered in New York, Dansker & Aspromonte Associates is a personal injury law firm that helps clients nationwide. The firm's offices are near to the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks that forever changed the world and left many people with post-traumatic stress. The coverage of this disorder is near to the hearts of the firms' founders, and they are proud to award the scholarship to someone like Jenna Williams who shares their goal of destigmatizing mental illness.
Contact Information
Paul Dansker
Dansker & Aspromonte Associates
New York, New York
United States
Voice: (212) 732-2929
