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.
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Solomon, Z. Oscillating between denial and recognition of PTSD: Why are lessons learned and forgotten?. J Trauma Stress 8, 271–282 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02109564
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02109564