Post Traumatic Experiences

World War II is still seen today as one of the most lethal wars in history. As technology advanced, more destructive weapons were created. In the hands of the wrong people and those forced to use them, these weapons paved the way for physical and psychological destruction. Furthermore, the mentality of individuals during this time enabled more marring upon themselves and upon other individuals. Even though what we now refer to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, existed before World War II, this time period brought about a higher prevalence of PTSD, as well as began to change the way this disorder was perceived by people.

Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is sometimes considered to be a relatively new diagnosis, as the name first appeared in 1980, the concept of the disorder has a very long history. That history has often been linked to the history of war, but the disorder has also been frequently described in civilian settings involving natural disasters, mass catastrophes, and serious accidental injuries. The diagnosis first appeared in the official nomenclature when Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-I was published in 1952 under the name gross stress reaction. It was omitted, however, in the next edition in 1968, after a long

It was not until the 1980’s that the diagnosis of PTSD as we know it today came to be. However, throughout history people have recognized that exposure to combat situations can have profound negative impact on the mind s and bodies of individuals in these situations. But there are other catastrophic events that can have such profound impact on people resulting in PTSD…

Physical disorders or disease meant that soldiers could be fixed and later sent back to the front lines of war. The diagnosis of “exhaustion” was not comprehended as a legitimate illness because soldiers were just “tired men” instead of being seen as scared and traumatized (Eagan,p. 360). As time continued to pass, more and more soldiers were diagnosed with “exhaustion” which later was coined “shell shock” followed by “combat fatigue” (Eagan,p360-362). While terminology changed, the remedies of the illness did not. However, with the rising numbers of diagnosed men leading up to the First World War, the process of enlisted men did change. When the military was concerned about the “economic costs of psychiatric casualties”, they began “psychiatric screening of enlistees”(Eagan,p. 362). The military began using screenings because they believed that they could minimalize the amount of “psychologically unfit” soldiers that could not face the “intensity of war”(Eagan,p 362). Discussing how men were starting to breakdown from the trauma of war, Eagan states that men are seen as weak and worthless due to

​War takes a toll on those who fight, or are affected by it, this is undeniable. Over the course of the 20th Century, within the U.S. Military and Psychiatric Community the way that this effect is identified and treated has changed many times based on the conflict and the mindset of the American public. The purpose of this report is to discuss the history of the mental effect of the trauma created by US involvement in wars within the 20th Century and the steps that were taken in those eras to predict, prepare and treat for those effects.

(Rosenthal, J. Z., Grosswald, S., Ross, R., & Rosenthal, N. 2011) Veterans presenting with symptoms of PTSD will often engage in behaviors which can be dangerous for themselves, their families and socity. Lack of effective treatment can place the veteran at increased risk for drug and alcohol abuse or dependence, suicide ideations or attemps, and bouts violence toward others. (National Center for PTSD, 2010) PTSD can occur anytime anytime one has have been through the experience of a traumatic event. PTSD has been referred to by many names in past years such as post-combat disorders, shell shock, post-traumatic stress disorder, disordered or heavy heart, and war neurosis. In DSM-I PTSD was referred to as ‘‘gross stress reaction’’ this was the name of the diagnoises given to those individuals who had suffered combat exposure, and their minds had become psychologically altered. It was very helpful to have a name to the sympotms of military or civilian individual that had been exposed to combat exposure, ex-prisoners of war, and rape victims. This term had also been helpful in diagnosing Nazi Holocaust

African Americans living in urban, low-income, impoverished environments are at high risk for exposure to traumatic events, and have a potential prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to previous and repeated trauma exposure.

Chapter five discussed trauma and stress disorders. Two of these disorders being acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. For this week’s discussion we were asked to discuss what types of events in modern society might trigger these disorders. I feel that many events could trigger this type of disorder. The initial events that come to mind are the Iraq war, Hurricane Matthew that is affecting the east coast currently, the San Bernardino terrorist attack, death of a child, and being a victim of a sexual assault. I think that all of these can be extremely stressful for an individual. However, people on the outside may view one event to be more traumatic than another. Some things that may help relieve the stresses of modern society

Research has shown that approximately 41 percent of veterans in the Vietnam War were diagnosed with PTSD. The term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was first coined in the late 1900s right after the Vietnam War. This is no surprise as most veterans fighting in the Vietnam War faced many traumatic events fighting in combat and PTSD came about as a result. After a traumatic experience most soldiers will feel frightened, sad, anxious, disconnected, and even experience sleeping disorders, along with many other mental and emotional problems. If this continues and does not fade, soldiers will continue to feel overwhelmed with the feelings of continuous danger and painful memories. These symptoms all point to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. These feelings will make people feel as though they are stuck in time in a deep hole, but it can be overcome. By reaching out and seeking therapy, soldiers can move on with their lives. However, it can be hard for the person experiencing PTSD because most people cannot relate to this disorder. Only a select few who experience a traumatic event will be affected by this disorder. A well-known appreciated author who once suffered from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is Tim O’Brien. He transcribes his experience in the novel, “The Things They Carried.” Tim O’Brien does a phenomenal job of illustrating the disorder through a collection of fictional short stories. In addition, he also speaks about the therapy he went through to suppress the feelings of

Since the beginning of human existence people are believed to have suffered PTSD brought on by a traumatic event. There are many symptoms of PTSD that disrupt daily routine, and make people afraid of their own shadows. WWI and WWII helped make people more aware of PTSD, causing studies to be done on this condition. This paper covers some history on PTSD. It also covers symptoms, and characteristics of the disorder. Treatment of the disorder will then be discussed followed by the conclusion, and references.

As far back as time goes or at least written record men have gone to war. With a war comes physiological and psychological scars. Physical wounds may heal quickly and be forgotten, but psychological wounds may last a lifetime. In the past society did not understand the effects of war and mental illness nor how to treat it. In this paper, I will discuss the history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), explain the diagnostic description, and describe etiology and treatment for PTSD.

Post-traumatic stress were documented as early as the Civil War., yet only did it during World War I and II become known, it was known as “shell shock” or “battle fatigue”. Although they didn’t quite understand it yet, it was thought that shrapnel entered the brain during battle explosions and caused small brain hemorrhages. When symptoms occurred in war veterans who had not been exposed to explosions, it was then often viewed as a character flaw. In the 1970s, during and after the Vietnam War, post-traumatic stress received more serious research and documentation. In 1989, the National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder was established in the U.S. About 5 percent of men and 10 percent of women in the United States have PTSD. In women, the

Who would have thought that an innocent trip to the mall would cause me to have such a traumatizing experience, getting lost! It began on a sunny day, my mother decided that she would take my siblings and I to the mall to look around. As we strolled around the crowded mall, we advanced to the toy store. Rummaging through the toy filled Isles, a brand new toy caught my eye. As I began to examine it, I noticed my mom had vanished! I frantically looked for her, sprinting down the mall. A woman just so happened to spot me alone and grabbed my hand, heading towards the exit door! Not long after she took my hand, my mom saw me a started shouting my name. I ran to her as quick as my legs could carry me and leaped into her arms! After that day I never

Languidly sitting in the bathtub with both hands on my belly, tears mixing with bathwater, imagining the life within that would never reach fruition; this is the moment that I realized I should document this brief story, that my pain could serve as the catalyst for something profound and beautiful. Out of the darkness of emotional trauma has come my most powerful work. Drawing upon personal experiences, I utilize the sensual and powerful human form, as well as, metaphorical imagery to express magnified emotion. The images attempt to personally communicate universal and yet intimate human experiences. When I achieve a sense and reverence for the unavoidable human suffering, I am able to focus my intellectual drive with emotional purpose.

Most people probably know by now that high levels of unmanaged stress can lead to very serious physical symptoms and illnesses. But did you know that excessive stress can also cause damaging changes in your behaviors too, such as stress eating or self harming? These are just two ways in which people try to stop feeling overwhelmed as stress takes a toll on their lives. But there are many others. Here are my five best tips to stop stress from ruining your life.