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
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 compared to what soldiers go through, and I felt sort of like that would be offensive to a soldier who really had PTSD. Any opinions on this whole issue?
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 to a massive research industry in some 20 years!
The earliest reference I have been able to track is “Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
Volume 11, Issue 4, 1993 – Post-traumatic stress disorder in women who have undergone obstetric and/or gynaecological procedures: A consecutive series of 30 cases of PTSD”
As I recall – the first study that drew attention was by one of the UK medical colleges dealing with Midwifery. The Internet can be a great tool – except when some people decide to have a clear out and dump resources – or even hide them behind pay walls. AGHHHHH!
Child Birth Related PTSD It has been a known issue for at least 20 years – and if I recall correctly over 20 years.
The Cause of the PTSD is not relevant – The effect is!
It does not matter if you are a Soldier or a Mother – the cause may be different, the effects can be equally devastating. It’s a fact that many medical types still fail to address – so I’m not surprised that you question your own experience. Matt’s comments about the DSM IV criteria and misinterpretation is spot on.
Some are trying to Politicize PTSD and make it a veteran only label.
Now where have we seen that trick before? P^)
Glad to see that you have recovered – a survivor!
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.
I believe what I originally wrote read as follows:
http://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 Political Terror” – and how it is criticized by so many for capitalizing upon only certain subjects to the detriment of the wider field.
A Bible is a book – The subject is Theology! Some write Bibles and others deal with the subject.
I used to have a bible – I burned it.
I have been given many bibles in my time – and one so angered me I burned it and posted the ashes to the Self Appointed God who had written it. They were not amused.
Self Appointed Gods are people I don’t like, just as I don’t like people who throw labels around in the hope that the mud they are slinging will stick to others.
I like people who see an anomaly and ask WHY? ”
I also note that certain gender references have been changed from the neutral to the masculine. I would like to make clear as correction – the Journalist’s gender was not mentioned as it was not relevant to the matter being addressed – How simple facts can be either ignored or derided by some – and yet still be true.
Judith Herman’s book has great value – but it is not the whole truth. It can be a valuable starting point for many dealing with PTSD and those working with people with PTSD. As with all sources they need to be treated with great respect and wisdom. The content of the book is nearly 20 years old and much has been learned and has changed in the 15+ years since publication. It is a seminal work, written with great care, and in a most scholarly style. Readers will often skim the work for “Key Words” that relate to their own experience and interests. That can and all too often do promote bias – that is the readers bias. Much of the work references upon known studies from 20 years ago, and much study has occurred since.
Reader based bias has not altered much in the last 20 years.
Judith Herman asked Why? and produces a work with answers – but they are not the whole truth. I am sure that even she would be happy to say so.
It should also be noted that in the Forward there is an admission of bias from line one –
“This book owes it’s existence to the women’s liberation movement. Its intellectual mainspring is a collective feminist project of reinventing the basic concepts of normal development and abnormal psychology in both men and women.”
- and that bias does recur through out with the victim being referenced with the feminine and aggressor referenced as masculine ( page 7 onwards), domestic abuse is always framed as victims being female and child ( page 8 onwards).
Wisdom does not come with age or even experience. Wisdom is seeing matters just as they are in the moment. Wisdom can be revealed when a simple word is used – “Why?”.
Consider who was the wise person in the story of “The Emperors New Clothes”.
I have not burned a copy of “that” publication. P^)
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 history of the psychology of trauma and in particular treatments of soldiers for “shellshock” in the First World War. (The novel Regeneration, by Pat Barker deals with the same subject and makes an interesting companion read to Trauma & Recovery – Regeneration has also been adapted as a film).
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 is NOT what I wrote. I have addressed this already.
You can check the editors views here – http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/women-rape-boys-too/comment-page-2/#comment-69683
I quote – “Awesome story about PTSD — thanks. We are going to re-run that as a blog.”.
Note the use of the Third Person plural identifying TGMP.
I have to wonder why the “edited” piece has been attributed to me? I understand that such edited or reproduced pieces are attributed as “By the Editors”.
That is what occurred when another comment I had made was reproduced under the heading of ” Linking of Child Sexual Abuse to Homosexuality Is Fraught With Peril – November 21, 2011 By the Editors”.
I did not and have not linked the Herman Text to my opinions or views or anything I have Actually written!
If I wished to I am more than capable of using hyper-links myself. That fact can be verified by reading my many comments and contributions of the originating thread titled “Women Rape Boys, Too.“
I am more than happy to provide links to source texts and sources that further debate and inform others on an issue. I am more than capable of explaining why I believe the sources are relevant.
Please note clearly – I have provided no link to the Herman text.
The none functional link created by the editors does contain references to Amazon and the Herman text as it can be purchased there.
If I had created such a link – I would have included a warning as to my reservations and how I believe the text should be read – and Why!
“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!