Ptsd News Article Bbc - Ptsd In The Genes?

[Barberian]

Dead Link Removed

I'm brain dead this morning so will paste first few paragraphs of article from BBC News. I can't think very well so I'm pasting to give u an idea of what the article is about. I found it interesting.

A US team looked at the DNA from 200 members of 12 families who survived the 1988 Armenian earthquake.

It found those who carried two gene variants which affect the production of serotonin - which affects mood and behaviour - were more likely to display symptoms of PTSD.

The research is published in Journal of Affective Disorders.

Further down in the artilcle.

Psychologist Dr Jennifer Wild, who is an expert in PTSD, said the finding was significant, but it would be "premature" to give it too much emphasis.

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey Barb,

I have done some research on this too. My opinion is it's more like 'High Cholesterol', or 'Asthma', your more suseptable to it but don't necessarily have to get it.
I reckon we just have to accept the hand we were dealt and move on. But it's interesting reading.

 

[Barberian]

Now that I'm awake, I don't give it much weight either. Just thought it interesting. That's why I made sure I included the line below "Further down in the article".

 

[Wagon]

The problem with genetics and the reason why we are not all getting shots to live forever at the moment (who the hell would want to with PTSD........ "I'm 125, get out of my way you bastards") Is because they have found it really is about the individual. Each individual has their genetic triggers for X condition or disease. They are all different for different people. Some higher tolerances, some lower.

Case in point if you took ten diverse "normal" people and subject them to a test to give them PTSD. Eventually you are going to traumatize all 10. It's just a matter of how much is too much for each individual.

Unfortunately there is a giant real life experiment going on with this with our troops. Multiple deployements. Send you back to the front lines until you crack.

Wagon.

 

[IraqVet86]

Not sure how much credence I lend to the genetic idea either, but I can tell you that my Dad and I both have PTSD. He has been a State Trooper for 30 years and I'm sure has seen some f*cked up stuff. I don't know why, but I just spilled the beans to my dad a couple years ago and told him about some of my problems. His eyes got all glassy as he said that he wasn't glad I was having problems, but he has almost the exact same symptoms and he was excited to finally talk to someone about it. (he's been hiding it for years so that he can just retire soon.)

 

[Sarg]

Yeah. that's the shits...trying to work a career and keep it all canned up for years. It's damaging, that's for sure. Luckily, my Dad just pushed papers most of his career and never got sent to Korea or VN. But I've got (or had) uncles, that you could definitely tell. But back in those days everybody drank alcohol, so they and I self medicated ourselves. Don't recommend it. You burn both ends of the candle that way.

Sarg

 

[IraqVet86]

Unfortunately the Army and other professional Orgs like state police tell us that it is okay to get help...then help us straight out the door when we do. I would never have let the Army know I was having problems, and the same goes for my Dad.
His dad was a cop also, and was shot in the head during a firefight with some gun smugglers. He lived, but after retirement all he does is sit in a recliner and stare out a window. I'm glad I have had more education on this stuff so that I could try to pick myself off the floor before I get THAT bad.

 

[JarHed]

I would say the article is 'interesting', but I'd agree with everyone else. I'd say everyone has a genetic predelection for some specific 'condition'. In some families it's actually quantifiable. But in general I'd say not. As far as PTSD is concerned there may be certain individuals that have a greater likelyhood of getting it than others. But as far as a genetic link, at this point in time, I'd say no.

There are so many conditions, diseases and such that may have those type of links and they've been researching that stuff for years and still can't actually say definately that there is a link. It's like smoking. If most people smoke most of their life they will most likely get cancer or some other lung ailment. But there are a few, very few, that won't. They don't have a clue as to why that is so.

Let's face it, PTSD is a psychological condition caused by our exposure to trauma experienced during combat conditions. It's not like a physiological condition such as Bipolar disorder which is and can be passed on genetically. I just see someone that's gotten a grant to study PTSD now that it's become so, can't believe I'm saying it, popular recently.

Jar

 

[Jimmy1]

Unfortunately the Army and other professional Orgs like state police tell us that it is okay to get help...then help us straight out the door when we do. I would never have let the Army know I was having problems, and the same goes for my Dad.

Your spot on there mate. I would probably not have told my boss or the Army either, but in a way I am glad I did as I was going into a downward spiral with the alcohol and drugs. Lucky the Army did not piss test me prior to discharge otherwise I would have been dishonourably discharged rather than medically.
Like your Dad, my Dad was police officer over here for 32 years, but he had no idea what was wrong with him and I did not get the chance to talk to him. By the time I had worked out what was wrong with me, he was already well and truly on the road to the only cure for PTSD, Alzheimers. He had just about forgotten who I was. :(