General Ptsd Controversy

[Mrs. T]

I've just been reading about some controversy related to ptsd, which I am curious about your opinion.

I was reading an article about how ptsd is over diagnosed. The article seemed to imply that ptsd caused by childhood trauma was silly. It even minimized any childhood abuse causing ptsd because that is simply the "old way" to discipline. Basically stating that someone with childhood trauma should not be diagnosed with the same thing as someone with combat ptsd. That was my interpretation, but maybe you would have a different one, so I'll add the link:
[DLMURL]http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/our-empathic-nature/201205/ptsd-the-latest-hottest-maybe-most-controversial-diagnosis[/DLMURL]

On a more interesting note. It explored the possibility that ptsd is most likely to develop in a person who has a tendency to experience survivors guilt. Where they have an unrealistic view of their ability to have changed the situation. I found this interesting, as my husband definitely has a tendency to feel unrealistically guilty for accidents he had or things he predicted. He does things out of extreme caution for possible accidents, because he knows that since he imagined something bad could happen, if it ever did, he'd never forgive himself. he has a wild imagination when it comes to potential dangers.

What drew me to look up ptsd controversy was because my dad told me about something he heard on the radio. It was about ptsd, and it mentioned that some doctors and psychologists still deny the legitimacy of the disorder. Does anyone have experience or knowledge on that?

 

[Mrs. T]

Sorry, this was meant to go in supporter discussions.

 

[amethist]

I have moved it for you Mrs T. If you need anything moved, just hit the report button and leave us a note.

 

[safenow]

It even minimized any childhood abuse causing ptsd because that is simply the "old way" to discipline.

Abuse was never a good way to parent a child. Never! I was not just spanked or sent to my room. I was traumatized, I was tortured, almost starved to death (had protein malnutrition when rescued), and abandoned to live with the animals all before I was 5 years old.

While that did not cause my PTSD, it sure didn't help me to fight it when other traumas came into my life. I have been raped, sodomized, held captive for days and nights being repeatedly beat and cut and not allowed to sleep during that time. I have never been to war in a foreign country, and I don't compare my trauma to those who have, however, my body looks like I have been in a war. I have scars from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. All caused at the hands of others. I have been shot at, lived in fear for years and years.

I know that many doctors just stick the label on others, but when a person hasn't been treated and taught good coping skills after major events in their lives, they can't function in this world. The military do not treat our men and women well once they come home, and yet expect them to function well in society. Divorce rates are very high because of that.

Basically stating that someone with childhood trauma should not be diagnosed with the same thing as someone with combat ptsd

Because they are both titled PTSD does not mean they are the same thing. However, when you are in fear of your life every day and night for years on end, it ends up being Major Trauma. In that respect, it is the same thing. The difference is the training the combat person gets, and the need to harm others to protect. The guilt and shame a person feels when they have to kill doesn't just go away over night. In fact, for most, it never goes away.

I am not saying they should feel that way, because I don't believe that for a minute. What I am saying is, until we walk a mile in another person's shoes, we should never judge them. And anyone who has been diagnosed with PTSD must have had some major issues in their life in order for them to have the reactions they are having.

Just my .02

 

[safenow]

I just read that article you posted. You made some incorrect assumptions. I'm sorry I blasted you with my personal stuff. Perhaps you should reread what they said.

Just one more comment, than I'll shut up. The day the police rescued me, my sister was beat to death, which is why the police came in the first place. So when they speak of survivor guilt, I can so relate to that as well. So, using that as the criteria, perhaps I did have ptsd as a child. Plus, I have been involved when others were killed because someone wanted me dead. How do you define what deserves the title of PTSD or not?

 

[Mrs. T]

Thanks for the input safe now. Can't begin to imagine what you have been through. I totally agree with you. I did wonder if I misread the article. It just seemed so one-sided to me. I will reread it, thanks. I can imagine that perhaps the diagnosis is over used, but who's to say that that something a person went through was not traumatic? Even if it does sound like something ordinary. As you mentioned about coping skilled not being there at the time of the trauma. Coping skills are taught. Either no one taught the person, and/or, how could they have been prepared for the trauma experienced? From what you described, how could any adult be prepared mentally for what you went through, let alone a young child. That goes the same for my husbands childhood traumas.

I apologize for misleading about the article. Maybe I was tired. I'll read it again.

 

[Mrs. T]

Yes I did misread the article. Quick question. Are flashbacks a reality for everyone with ptsd? If so, how can a person who has not experienced an actual trauma, be diagnosed? How about dissociation? Is that a definite in a person with ptsd? Do these things occur in a person who has not experienced trauma? I mean I have experiences that, with my imagination I could lable as dissociation and flashbacks that are at times linked to something upsetting, but not traumatizing. I suppose if I wished to make my life dramatic, I could exaggerate things in my life to get a diagnosis...? In this case, perhaps another diagnosis is in order?

Just trying to understand how someone with the absence of trauma, can favorite ptsd.

 

[amethist]

You can get PTSD like symptoms, but not be actually have the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

I get flashbacks and dissociation from my past, but had no trauma so I know it is not PTSD.

 

[Mrs. T]

Makes perfect sense, thanks

 

[Lucycat]

I have just read the article and found it quite patronising. It belittles child abuse to a wee smack. What about those of us who were sexually abused over a number of years? Not mentioned. I am one of very many.

This article, to me, seemed very superficial and has not addressed the real psychological sequalae that we endure.

 

[anthony]

Lucy, I think interpretation should be kept away from this, because the first paragraph adequately covers the scope of problem being highlighted:

Lilienfeld reviews the history of the PTSD diagnosis, notes that it is now used in the absence of trauma, and suggests that when people demonstrate the characteristic symptoms of PTSD, they might legitimately be diagnosed with PTSD. Lilienfeld noted that trauma and PTSD expert, Harvard based Richard McNally, questions this current trend, warning about what McNally describes as “criterion creep” –or getting rather fuzzy with criteria used in diagnosing a patient. McNally may be right.

This is the problem. A child being smacked is not traumatic to the nature of a child being sexually abused.

This is likened to some of the nonsense you read here, with people being diagnosed for a relationship breakup, or the most recent was because a husband had a porn addiction. This is "criterion creep" at it's worst. This is empathetic / sympathetic / just greedy, deceptiveness at its best, in psychology. This is people very 'loosely' interpreting statements to 'fit' themselves within.

It is a major problem today, and you see it posted here occasionally, proving it. Because a psychologist or doctor diagnoses you with PTSD, DOES NOT mean you have PTSD.

I don't think this was written based on a sexually abused child, but more criterion creep due to loose interpretation. That is valid, and is true. There are people trying to obtain PTSD diagnosis for everything and anything, ever so minute in life, now stating it was traumatising for them. Rubbish. It is political correctness crap going stupid again, and all a person need do is find the right therapist to agree with them.

It is the same old issue... diagnosis dilution at work.