anthony
Founder
The media writes stories and scripts television in such a way that it seems as though everyone who endures a traumatic event will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You've seen this with combat operation reporting over the past decade. If you don't think your loved one is coming home with PTSD after being deployed into combat, then you must not own a TV.
Don't believe everything you read or watch on TV. News is hyperbolic -- exaggerated and edited to get viewer attention in order to sell ad space to pay the bills. Factually, quite the opposite is true; a minority obtain PTSD when exposed to traumatic events. In fact, the evidence to date uses the word "rare" when talking about PTSD as a consequence to catastrophic trauma (Dead Link Removed).
How is it that such exposure does or does not lead to the development of PTSD? It's called resilience. Resilience is influenced by diverse genetic, epigenetic, developmental, neurobiological and psychosocial factors. These factors interact in a complex web with multiple risk and protective factors associated with vulnerability or resilience to stress and trauma.
People tend to be more resilient in specific domains of their lives, than others. The same holds true for enduring catastrophic traumatic events, in that some have higher statistical rates for PTSD than others.
Examples speak best. While not empirically accurate, the following statistics are based on approximations from relevant studies.
If 100,000 troops are deployed into combat operations for a six-month period, it is likely 30% (30,000) will show PTSD symptoms on return. Within six months of return -- doing nothing other than reintegration with normal duties and society -- that figure will halve. This remaining 15% may require additional support, such as therapy or more time, to reduce symptoms and become functional within society again. Of this original 30%, approximately 5% (1,500) of soldiers will obtain lifetime PTSD.
When troops are redeployed on second and subsequent tours, these statistics increase significantly. Retraumatization occurs, and troops not affected by their first deployment may now become affected with PTSD symptoms.
Rape statistics vary. If one takes a sample of 100,000 rape victims, the initial statistics for PTSD symptoms are lower, likely around 20% (20,000). Rinse and repeat the above with time, therapy and then a smaller amount may obtain lifetime PTSD. Again, repeated exposure increases the statistics exponentially, increasing the percentage for PTSD.
Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) have a low rate for PTSD. For every 100,000 MVAs, you may be lucky that 2% - 5% demonstrate PTSD symptoms. Of that, maybe 50 - 200 people obtain debilitating PTSD symptoms.
In some countries, PTSD prevalence is as high as 60-70% of the population.
Whilst different types of trauma have statistical variance, what is statistically known is that repeated exposure exponentially increases risk for PTSD. Put simply, everyone has a breaking point when encountering trauma.
Overall, PTSD is a rare outcome from traumatic events. Resilience is proving to be an aspect of interesting study, demonstrating how we overcome, adapt and learn positively from otherwise negative experiences.
Anxiety and depression are the most likely outcome from experiencing traumatic events. These two disorders can look similar to PTSD, yet these are very normal to experience and have extremely high recovery rates.
The most important message one can glean from the hyperbolic media attention PTSD has garnered is this: PTSD can happen to anyone, given enough exposure to risk factors, though its occurrence as a chronic condition is rare. Those charged with supporting friends, spouses, and family who have endured traumatic experiences can be allies in resilience by providing support, withholding undue judgment, and contributing to the successful reintegration of those attempting to regain normalcy following abnormal and catastrophic circumstance.
Don't believe everything you read or watch on TV. News is hyperbolic -- exaggerated and edited to get viewer attention in order to sell ad space to pay the bills. Factually, quite the opposite is true; a minority obtain PTSD when exposed to traumatic events. In fact, the evidence to date uses the word "rare" when talking about PTSD as a consequence to catastrophic trauma (Dead Link Removed).
How is it that such exposure does or does not lead to the development of PTSD? It's called resilience. Resilience is influenced by diverse genetic, epigenetic, developmental, neurobiological and psychosocial factors. These factors interact in a complex web with multiple risk and protective factors associated with vulnerability or resilience to stress and trauma.
People tend to be more resilient in specific domains of their lives, than others. The same holds true for enduring catastrophic traumatic events, in that some have higher statistical rates for PTSD than others.
Examples speak best. While not empirically accurate, the following statistics are based on approximations from relevant studies.
If 100,000 troops are deployed into combat operations for a six-month period, it is likely 30% (30,000) will show PTSD symptoms on return. Within six months of return -- doing nothing other than reintegration with normal duties and society -- that figure will halve. This remaining 15% may require additional support, such as therapy or more time, to reduce symptoms and become functional within society again. Of this original 30%, approximately 5% (1,500) of soldiers will obtain lifetime PTSD.
When troops are redeployed on second and subsequent tours, these statistics increase significantly. Retraumatization occurs, and troops not affected by their first deployment may now become affected with PTSD symptoms.
Rape statistics vary. If one takes a sample of 100,000 rape victims, the initial statistics for PTSD symptoms are lower, likely around 20% (20,000). Rinse and repeat the above with time, therapy and then a smaller amount may obtain lifetime PTSD. Again, repeated exposure increases the statistics exponentially, increasing the percentage for PTSD.
Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) have a low rate for PTSD. For every 100,000 MVAs, you may be lucky that 2% - 5% demonstrate PTSD symptoms. Of that, maybe 50 - 200 people obtain debilitating PTSD symptoms.
In some countries, PTSD prevalence is as high as 60-70% of the population.
Whilst different types of trauma have statistical variance, what is statistically known is that repeated exposure exponentially increases risk for PTSD. Put simply, everyone has a breaking point when encountering trauma.
Overall, PTSD is a rare outcome from traumatic events. Resilience is proving to be an aspect of interesting study, demonstrating how we overcome, adapt and learn positively from otherwise negative experiences.
Anxiety and depression are the most likely outcome from experiencing traumatic events. These two disorders can look similar to PTSD, yet these are very normal to experience and have extremely high recovery rates.
The most important message one can glean from the hyperbolic media attention PTSD has garnered is this: PTSD can happen to anyone, given enough exposure to risk factors, though its occurrence as a chronic condition is rare. Those charged with supporting friends, spouses, and family who have endured traumatic experiences can be allies in resilience by providing support, withholding undue judgment, and contributing to the successful reintegration of those attempting to regain normalcy following abnormal and catastrophic circumstance.