Affect Of General Environment On The Development Of Ptsd?

[Abstract]

I am still attempting to understand aspects of this condition. What I am wondering is if the general environment potentially could have a part to play in the development of PTSD.

What I mean by that is for example a vet who is in a war. Or someone who is surrounded by violence of some type or the other. Could this potentially contribute? As a backdrop. Or is it irrelevant? And if it is or isn't then why or how?

What about childhood neglect? I am not sure I understand how that fits in either; or not.

Any information or personal stories would be welcome.

 

[ashdawn8287]

I believe its a normal reaction to abnormal circumstances (like the envroonmemt as in childhood neglect, war, abuse, etc). We are not equipped to handle trauma well, nobody is.

I believe it's how we heal that defines us, not the PTSD.


That's just what I like to believe :)

 

[nursenurse]

Interesting topic. I had my usual and somewhat insightful spiel thought out and ready to go, but it is more complex than that. I wonder how some people who live in crummy environments end up doing well in life, and others with seemingly everything just fail miserably. My guy loved the marines, loved the lifestyle and the environment. But without that environment, he would not have had the opportunity for the experiences that shaped his PTSD. For him, I think it was the accumulation of incidents that caused it. I am privy to some of his darkest secrets. There was one that put him over the top, it was by society's definition not the worst thing he ever did as a marine, and in fact was one of the most humane things. However, it iced his cake so to speak. I think, and I could be wrong, that environment can help set the circumstances that incite PTSD. But not in of itself cause PTSD. Then again, I'm not so sure...... Again, very interesting topic.

 

[Loloma]

I am still attempting to understand aspects of this condition. What I am wondering is if the general environment potentially could have a part to play in the development of PTSD.

What about childhood neglect? I am not sure I understand how that fits in either; or not.

Good questions Abstract. I can only speak for myself and what I have experienced in my life. As a child the environment in which I was raised was, extremely dysfunctional to say the least.

Parts of my childhood, I've blanked out due to the severe trauma I encountered. This period of my life definitely was the cause of my PTSD. Neglect and sexual abuse from both parents as a toddler, plus continual beatings by a deranged mother was the starting point. Unfortunately I wasn't the only one, it happened to all my brothers and sisters.

I had 13 brothers and sisters, as my parents had no problem procreating. Parenting skills they never had. I wrote in my diary that my mother cared for us until the next baby arrived. It was left to the siblings to care for the younger ones as best they could.

As we entered adulthood, our parents still influenced our lives. We had been so well programmed that they eventually pinned us against each other for their own personal gain. Most of us married people who continued the trauma. I guess we stuck to what we knew because it was so familiar, even though we didn't know it at the time.

Drug and alcohol abuse was rampant amongst my siblings. Five have since died by suicide and shootings. My father was involved in the drug world and used his son's to manufacture and distribute. This had dire consequences for all of us, both from the underworld point of view and the authorities. I really don't want to go into it here, although I think you get the general idea.

It is not just the environment, it is also the events that can contribute to PTSD.

 

[Abstract]

Thank you Ashdown, Nursenurse and Loloma. :)

I think I am pretty clear about the basics of PTSD and the actual trauma or trauma's that can cause it. What I am wondering is how much if at all a general backdrop of violence can potentially contribute or not. I ask that just because of listening to peoples stories. And certain things I have read.

Lets say soldier A does not see any gruesome violent events but is in a war zone for a period of time. He is then in a severe car accident. He develops PTSD after. Could being in the war zone have contributed at all?

Also how does childhood neglect possibly affect or cause PTSD? I have seen it referred to indirectly and at times directly. I am trying to still understand how it would fit into the PTSD stressor criteria.

Ashdown,
that sounds like a really good belief!

Nursenurse,

I think, and I could be wrong, that environment can help set the circumstances that incite PTSD.

I think this is what I was referring to mostly. Thanks for sharing. It interesting too how our own interpretation of what was the most awful is not necessarily what others would guess it would be.

Loloma,
I am sorry you and your family experienced all that. It is a mass of trauma and think it is no wonder it led to more and more along the way. I agree that trauma itself causes PTSD. I am just trying to figure out if a general environment could have an affect. I have read research on resilience (such as having support or no support for example) and that is one aspect of PTSD development, but I was wondering if general violence (that may not be personally witnessed) or other factors that would contribute to feeling general feelings of lack of safety could potentially affect on PTSD or not.

 

[Loloma]

Yes I agree, the environment caused the trauma. Sometimes I get very confused when trying to put it in perspective. Every time I starting thinking about it all, including the years that followed I feel overwhelming sadness.

It encompassed all of the areas in your last post that were addressed to me. No support, violence not witnessed and general feelings of lack of safety. My mother suffered from schizophrenia, losing control without any warning. She was aware of the sexual abuse and blamed us for it, not my father. The list of traumatic events during the first 17 years in that environment are too numerous to mention.

The most surprising of all is that none of us knew we had PTSD until many years later. I suppose we were all just trying to survive. I believe as adults, other trauma's finally broke us and the PTSD took over. I was 41 when I "snapped" and ended up hospitalised for a year and a half, having attempted suicide several times. Since then I have been in therapy for 22 years. I count myself lucky, as I learnt many invaluable coping skills. I still see my psychiatrist every couple of months.

The environment we were raised in, was one with no boundaries. This was the reason why both my marriages failed, as I'd never been taught any, hence I became a door mat. If a child lives from birth is such a suppressive, evil environment, the chance of having any sort of normal life is very slim.

 

[nursenurse]

I'm looking at environment as more the physical place. I think what you are describing, Loloma, encompasses both the physical and psychological environment, and honestly, I don't think the two can be separated in these circumstances. I just feel for you, and anyone put through whatever environment and circumstances that you have.

 

[Abstract]

I agree with Nursenurse Loloma.

I think what you are describing goes way beyond just the environment and would be impossible to separate out.

I also think not being allowed boundaries is a sure way to ensure that someone is traumatised later or at least ends up in horrible situations. I know that was the case for me. I do think it makes someone into a perfect victim. In many ways I look back and am surprised more did not happen to me.

My history is nothing as extreme as yours but how I would describe it is that I was not being allowed to be a person. To me a person has its own physical personal space in the world, its own thoughts and feelings and its own identity. I was not allowed that and as a result I literally didn't feel human for most of my life.

This is not what I meant by environment but goes very deep for me.

I also think things like being blamed when we should be protected are another way of denying us humanity. The invalidation that comes with that is another subject entirely and for me invalidation is an extremely sore point.

But I am hearing you when you say say that the violence you did not witness, the general environment of lack of safety all had an impact on top of the actual witnessed or experienced traumas so thank you for sharing that.

When it comes to resilience and things such as lack of support I think they are really important. I suspect the human mind can cope with an awful lot if there is stability and understanding in some form present.

I am sorry that this is what life was like for you and wish you much healing.

 

[nursenurse]

I travel a lot on medical missions. Have been to some of the poorest places on earth. The physical environment can hardly be described as ideal in most cases. And yet, because the family members cherish one another, support one another, for the most part (and there are horrible exceptions too) these people do not show PTSD. The psychological environment for them is good, even when the physical environment is not up to snuff.

 

[nursenurse]

At any rate Loloma, you have suffered so much and the two are inseparable for you, I wish you peace and healing. Virtual hugs, if you'll accept them.

 

[Pencil]

What about childhood neglect? I am not sure I understand how that fits in either; or not.

Neglect is a form of abuse - it is called abuse by omission, whereas the visible forms, such a physical abuse is an act of commission. Neglect can be devastating.

 

[Abstract]

Hi Pencil! Thanks. I really agree. I think neglect is devastating.

I guess I am just trying to understand how that fits into the criterion A/stressor part of PTSD. What the official thoughts are on it and what are peoples own experiences. I feel like there is still some part of PTSD that I am not yet getting. I know this thread is a little vague in a way and wish I was not so private but there you go. :(

I think Harlows experiments say it all when it comes to neglect. Careful looking if anyone is sensitive as it is upsetting.