Good Men Project commenter MediaHound tells a surprising story of how PTSD came to be recognized as such.
I would like to tell you a story. It happened in London on the streets. Because Christmas was coming, a journalist decided to spend a few nights on the streets with the homeless. He thought it would be a great way to promote some seasonal charity. It was rough and cold–they queued up for soup–and he actually talked to people he had walked past and ignored time and time again for so many years.
The journalist believed he knew homeless people. Drinkers, mental health cases, people who just lacked the ability to hack it in life. He was shocked. Time and time again when he asked what these homeless people used to do in the past, the answer was “Soldier”. They had all seen active duty from the Falklands War 1982. The journalist found that 90% of the rough sleepers were ex-soldiers.
The Journalist was surprised by the figure, but did not let it get in the way of a good story. He mentioned it in their newspaper article whilst encouraging others to be a bit charitable–it’s Christmas. Be nice to the Homeless.
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That newspaper article was read by one person. That person was intrigued by the figures–they were either right or wrong–if right they were such an anomaly there had to be a reason. The reader worked in a research institution, so they put together a modest proposal to check the figures. The figures were right.
More research was done. The homeless soldiers were interviewed profiled and they willingly took part. They knew there was a problem, but they didn’t know what it was. The research grew and more people were brought in –and an interesting opportunity arose. The research institution had access to something called a Functional MRI –one of the first in the world. That was how hyper arousal and amygdala activation was discovered and linked to PTSD–and it opened up a whole world for people with PTSD.
They were not mad–there is a specific change in brain function that they could not control.
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Throughout the work some claimed that PTSD did not exist (in fact those flat earthers are still about today) and others claimed that it was not possible that a cluster of homeless soldiers were statistically significant. Some called the research a waste of money and it was shocking to see all the excuses raised by so many to decry and debunk the facts that were uncovered.
People who promoted the research and findings were attacked and called names–I remember one person being called a fraudster and even money grabbing–supposedly inventing whole sets of false data to get a higher paid position in research. It was fascinating to watch just how so many framed the world in their own image.
It was the people who denied that there was an issue who had the biggest problems when their world view was shaken and overturned. Deniers are like that! It’s been shown time and time again across history.
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Photo: C. G. P. Grey / Flickr
“It was fascinating to watch just how so many framed the world in their own image.”
That is a poignant observation and truth. I think when people do that, denying the truth and reality, it is an automatic defense mechanism – they erect a wall around them and zealously protect their idealism, personal beliefs/views and pride – with vigor; to the point formulaic mantras are developed to cope with each situation. Perhaps if these mantras are chanted often enough they and everyone will be convinced!
This was very interesting, but then what on earth does that last line mean? Mediahound, your comment above seems to be trying to explain it but the whole comment is confusing and incoherent. Trauma & Recovery is a really good book on the psychological mechanisms of trauma, I thoroughly recommend it. You discover so much about what it does to people when they are subjected to violence, terror & abuse. It makes so much sense of how they react and how they cope (or fail to cope) afterwards. I think in the final section or chapter Herman writes about the… Read more »
MariaS said: “This was very interesting, but then what on earth does that last line mean? It was NOT a line written by me. You will have to ask the editors what they are attempting to say! I DID NOT say or write “The bible of PSTD and sexual assault is Judith Herman’s Trauma and Recovery of 1997. Odd how it’s actually titled “Women Rape Boys, Too.“ ” I was advised that the editors found my comments on the thread “Women Rape Boys, Too.“ interesting – I am not actually responsible for what has been published under my name. It… Read more »
I believe what I originally wrote read as follows: https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/women-rape-boys-too/comment-page-2/#comment-69672 “It was the people who denied that there was an issue who had the biggest problems when their world view was shaken and overturned. Deniers are like that! It’s been shown time and time again across history. People write books and believe they are the Absolute Authority on a subject, and then have a mind that is a closed book to anything else. The bible of PSTD and sexual assault is Judith Herman’s Trauma and Recovery of 1997? Odd how it’s actually titled “Trauma and Recovery: From Domestic Abuse to… Read more »
This is really interesting. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of discussion about the term PTSD being used too often and for too many mental health issues that might otherwise be called anxiety, panic disorder, etc. Some people feel the term should only be ascribed to veterans who are traumatized by war. When my daughter was born, she almost died, and I was really traumatized and checked her 10 times a night for two years–barely ever sleeping–because I was worried she’d have SIDS. I eventually got diagnosed with PTSD. But it seemed like what I’d been through should not be… Read more »
I have PTSD from begin raised by emotionally abusive parents. It surely is not the same as a vet’s case, but there are parallels. A situation arises that triggers a response that is disproportion to the stimulus. I may feel terrified, ashamed, shut down, desparate. Sometimes my response can be very intense and lengthy. This is PTSD. It is very real experientially. Understanding what is happening and cultivating tools to respond to it has been immensely transformational.
As a trauma survivor and a mental health professional I think we as a society are in a state of denial about the effects of trauma and don’t understand it insidious effcts because the DSM IV tries to make such fine distinctions and categorizations. Truama whether it is “BIG T ” trauma like that described in the DSM or “little t ” traumas of emotional abuse or neglect or substance use in the family among a million other things I could mention profoundly effect our brains, our sense of self, safety in the world, personalities and behaviors.
Lori, You can get PTSD just from WATCHING or being involved in a situation that is considered or perceived as life-threatening for another person. As a journalist I watched, photographed and wrote about horrific scenes of death, dismemberment and so on. I was not at risk, but developed PTSD from being a “neutral” observer. It’s entirely possible you can have PTSD from your situation. Get help for it if you haven’t. The longer you wait, the harder it is to work through.
Thank you. I did. This was years ago. Reflecting back on it within the context of this article made me wonder about the actual diagnosis, but yes, i got therapy and, obviously, my child grew up and did not die of SIDS, and time does help heal…
If you’re curious about the actual definition of PTSD and how it is diagnosed, you can look it up in the DSM-IV. It’s all spelled out there.
@Tru…..and its inadequate and incomplete in my opinion. I have, at this very moment, probably 12 women and 4 men that I treat who have been diagnosed by psychiatrists with Bipolar disorder after maybe a half /hour interview. The client or the physician didn’t volunteer, inquire or have the skills or more likely the time to do a thorough clinical assessment including biopsychosocial history that would have revealed a traumatic etiology to their symptoms. They wonder why they never get better and go from med to med and never address the wound, only the symptoms.
Laurie – PTSD and child birth is far more common than many realize. Studies have shown that medical focused child birth ( Primarily In Hospital ) has been linked to as many as 20% of women developing PTSD. I am working to track some of the original studies on that, they go back in to the 1990’s and possibly earlier – but they are now swamped and hidden under Guidance and Protocols that are supposed to prevent it. Odd how it was not an issue and then suddenly anyone who could get funding has been investigating! From a questionable diagnosis… Read more »
My best friend suffered severe PTSD after watching our mutual friend die next to him in a car wreck. He self-medicated, eventually leading to his own death 3 years later. His suffering and your suffering are as real as any vet’s.
My baby brother died of SIDS when I was 6. It hurt all of us, but really floored my mother and father. I’m so glad your daughter did not die.