Inside PTSD

The History of PTSD

Call it Soldier's Heart, Shell Shock, Battle Fatigue, Combat Exhaustion, Traumatic Neurosis, Gross Stress Disorder, Post Vietnam Syndrome, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Throughout time, it's been named many different things, but it's primarily the same condition that has affected so many combat Soldiers. Although research and social efforts gave way to further understanding and the official description of PTSD in 1980, first mentions go back as far as 5th century Ancient Greece. Even Shakespeare alluded to it in various plays, including "Romeo and Juliet."

Symptoms of PTSD

No matter the exact root cause(s) of a Soldier's PTSD, or when exactly it starts, they will experience a myriad of symptoms. Some symptoms may feel like mere annoyances in the beginning. Over time and without intervention, these symptoms can be completely debilitating and even lead to suicide. Without help, helplessness begets hopelessness. Unfortunately, Soldiers must endure these symptoms for at least a month before a diagnosis can be made, and not every patient with PTSD will experience all the symptoms. Symptoms may not surface immediately after a traumatic event, but rather may develop months or even years after the initial trauma. In no particular order, the most common symptoms include:

Involuntary and recurrent memories
Traumatic nightmares
Flashbacks
Intense or prolonged distress after exposure to reminders or triggers
Avoiding trauma-related thoughts, feelings, people, places, conversations, activities, objections and situations
Can't recall key features of event
Negative beliefs about self or world
Distorted blame
Persistent feelings of fear, anger, horror, guilt or shame
Diminished interest in activities
Feeling alienated
Inability to feel positive emotions
Irritable or aggressive
Self-destructive
Hypervigiliance
Exaggerated startle response
Poor concentration
Inability to sleep or sleeping too much

A Common Belief

Many people share in the belief that if more time was spent in training Soldiers how to transition back into civilian life, there would be a significant decrease in PTSD. Depending on the branch of service, anywhere from 7-12 weeks are spent turning a civilian into a Soldier, but little to no time is spent in helping that Soldier turn back into a civilian. After the horrors these men and women witnessed, how can they be expected to just flip off the switch and return to a pre-military way of thinking overnight?

The Transition Is Often The Catalyst

The History of PTSD

Symptoms of PTSD

A Common Belief

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