Abstract
Consistent observations suggest that denial of PTSD and blaming of its victims are not isolated omissions or distortions but a pattern that spans over time, crosses national and cultural boundaries, and defies accumulated knowledge. This article traces the origins of these attitudes and offers three explanations: (a) mental health professionals are unable to transcend prevailing cultural and social norms; (b) they are "blinded" by professional theories; and (c) denial may stem from a fundamental human difficulty in comprehending and acknowledging our own vulnerability.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 271-282 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Traumatic Stress |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1995 |
Keywords
- PTSD
- mental health professionals
- professional theories