April 13, 2020
For many years, mental health professionals and the general public alike have studied and applied symptoms of CPTSD as related to women. However, men react differently to the stressors that cause complex post-traumatic stress disorder and are often either shamed for complaining or are misdiagnosed.
In this article, we shall examine how men express the symptoms of CPTSD and how our culture must change their attitudes toward male survivors.
To be honest, I am female and have limited knowledge of what it is like to be a male survivor. However, I endeavor to understand and to spread awareness just the same. If I get something wrong, I beg your forgiveness.
The Sad Truth About Men and Abuse
Although the statistics tell us that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience child molestation, those stats are probably low. The reason for the discrepancy is that men aren’t expected to tell on their abusers. In doing so they open themselves up for ridicule and self-loathing.
What a price to pay because society will not allow men to either feel or show their emotions or seek help.
Many of our men suffer instead in silence.
The Emotional Liability of Male Survivors
Men are cheated in that they are not allowed by some unspoken societal rules to show emotions. This seems to be especially true of speaking of or showing signs of any type of child abuse in their histories. Men are told to “buck up” or “get your act together” while women are encouraged to cry and tell all about their pasts.
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