PTSD – Only Combat Trauma Allowed?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), unfortunately, has been a hot news story in past years, as a diagnosis for symptoms war veterans were exhibiting.  My question – is PTSD only combat related?  And, selfishly positioned, does PTSD have to involve an intense exposure to short-lived trauma or can it result from prolonged not necessarily intense negative pressure? 

According to Dr. Shaili Jain, PTSD specialist at Stanford University, “the trauma most likely to cause PTSD is rape, with combat trauma as a close second.“ Ok – we are getting somewhere!  PTSD doesn’t require combat trauma. 

According to blackbearrehab.com, “although medical professionals previously categorized PTSD to originate from one traumatic event, they now recognize that continuous exposure to stressful situations, or cumulative stress, can cause symptoms of PTSD.  This is referred to as complex PTSD, prolonged duress stress disorder (PDSD), or rolling PTSD.”  Hmmm.

Blackbearrehab.com goes on – the symptoms of PTSD are essentially similar whether the cause is a single event or long-term exposure to on-going stress, and they can include the following problems:

·        Sleeplessness

·        Nightmares

·        Difficulty managing emotions

·        Uncharacteristic temper

·        Substance abuse or addiction

·        Flashbacks

·        Depression

·        Difficulty concentrating

·        Suicidal thoughts or actions.

If left untreated, this level of psychological distress can destroy relationships, ruin personal health, and deplete a person of everything he or she once loved.   Double hmmm.

Mayoclinic.org says PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions; and that the symptoms can vary over time.  For me – check, check, check, and check.

In PTSD is often undetected, but early help is key to recovery, Dani Blumi recounts a mom’s reaction to the death of her stillborn baby.  She oscillated between numbness, vivid paranoia, and bursts of anger.  The mom would think, “I would just think to myself, Who in their right mind experiences four different, incredibly intense mental states in the span of 15 minutes.   Another non-combat PTSD diagnosee (not sure that is a real word, but let’s go with it) said, “Hearing I had PTSD – it felt like I didn’t earn it…. because I didn’t go to war.”

www.verywellmind.com says the symptoms of prolonged stress, not necessarily traumatic stress, include:

·        Anxiety

·        Decreased sex drive

·        Difficulty concentrating

·        Disorganized thoughts

·        Eating too much or too little

·        Fatigue

·        Feellings of helplessness

·        Frequent illnesses or infections.

Ok – since I can relate to these symptoms AND I don’t want to suffer with the guilt of a PTSD diagnosis without experiencing war, I will declare myself a Post Prolonged Stress Disorder sufferer.

My question for you – are you considering your mental health whilst striving for mind – body – spirit balance?