Is It Possible To Be a Victim of Violent Trama and NOT have PTSD?

[missy8888]

Happy new Years Everyone!

i was just wondering if it's possible for someone to be a victim of a violent crime but NOT have PTSD??? Can someone go through something and not be affected??

I know several people who have been victims of rape, domestic violence,and a few others that have ben shot or stabbed in the line of duty.

The reason that i ask, is because the seem to be completely okay... They seem to act as they always have even before the trauma.. No withdrawal from people ect..

I am only wondering cause the more i learn about PTSD and from the site...I am wondering how one person can seem unaffected and others who are affected and suffering..

Are those people just in denial? or do u think they are messed up and hide it... Or can it be that they are just stable and can have the mental capacity to think "ah well, shit happens, i am fine???"

I am confused, cause how can you be shot, raped or stabbed, and not have some kind of scars??? Should these people seek counseling anyway even if they think they are fine???

are there any behavior that they might be expeiriencing that could be related to the trauma and they dont see the connection???

i am really concerned about them not seeking help and it causing them problems later on...

any info from anyone will be greatly appreciated!!

Missy

 

[Yumeko-chan]

I don't have my source in front of me, but I heard that only about 27% of victims of violent crimes develop PTSD, and that some people are more genetically susceptible to it than others.

I wonder how some people are perfectly ok and some aren't, too. Then again, I have this sneaky feeling that just like rape (for example), incidents of PTSD are highly underreported, since a lot of people may feel ashamed to seek help due to the stigma of mental illness (though I really hate to call PTSD that).

What does everyone else think?

 

[Kunoichi]

Missy,

I have been a victim of rape, physical trauma, molestation etc etc. I have PTSD. I have met people who have physical trauma's (from abuse) as well as other things and do not have PTSD.

I don't think its a person's mental capacity to handle things...then it would be categories of "strong" versus "weak". And having PTSD doesn't mean that we are not stable, just dealing with the trauma. There are a lot of factors that contribute to developing PTSD

1. genetic predisposition
2. length of the trauma
3. severity of the trauma
4. support systems (whether or not any are available)
and more.

I do think that many people do not report of they have PTSD symptoms or are in denial of the fact. I have a friend who was physically abused by her boyfriend for a year, and has no PTSD symptoms..however, she is hardly "over it", as she still gets triggered (altho it does not happen often) and she is still lacking trust with men at times. It isn't PTSD, but it isn't healed either.

So yes, people can NOT develop PTSD symptoms even if they go through horrible trauma, but I think that far more people in this category are still healing even if they don't want to admit it to others or themselves.

 

[Tinyflame]

Hi missy, Happy new year!

Can't remember if I have welcomed you to the Forum :)

People can absolutely go through violent crime or otherwise and NOT develop PTSD. Similarly, other traumas than violent crime can cause PTSD.

I have gone through (as many, many others have) several traumas over the years of various types, and it just seems to me if you "talk about it, and feel/ accept your feelings" that seems a good start to reducing "fall-out" later.

There are some excellent articles in the information section.
Much luck to you and those you care about.

 

[missy8888]

Stigma of Mental Illness

I don't have my source in front of me, but I heard that only about 27% of victims of violent crimes develop PTSD, and that some people are more genetically susceptible to it than others.

I wonder how some people are perfectly ok and some aren't, too. Then again, I have this sneaky feeling that just like rape (for example), incidents of PTSD are highly underreported, since a lot of people may feel ashamed to seek help due to the stigma of mental illness (though I really hate to call PTSD that).

What does everyone else think?

well i definately think that some people do feel a sense of shame due to that stigma of mental illness. (and they shouldn't cause it's not their fault).

One of the people i know has this real macho attitude, like nothing can hurt him, so i definately think he would feel ambarrassed seeking help.

I also think then if they do not have PTSD, that they definately have some unresolved healing to do.. Hopefully they will find the courage to talk to someone about it so as not to have a fall out later.

Thank you everyone for posting.

Missy xoxo

 

[patrick]

I'm no expert on this, but from some of what I've read, a lot depends on how the trauma was dealt with right after it happened. If a safe, caring support system is available so the victim can process the experience right away, the lingering effects can be reduced.

I read an interesting book recently about PTSD in war veterans called War and the Soul by Edward Tick. There is a lot in the book, but one of the things he talks about is how the cultural and support system a person is in, both before and after the trauma, makes a huge difference on its impact.

And I know that "macho attitude" you mention is a big thing preventing a lot of people, including me, from getting help, even though they know something is wrong.

Interesting topic, Missy. Thanks for bringing it up.

 

[missy8888]

I Will Check That Book Out Patrick

I'm no expert on this, but from some of what I've read, a lot depends on how the trauma was dealt with right after it happened. If a safe, caring support system is available so the victim can process the experience right away, the lingering effects can be reduced.

I read an interesting book recently about PTSD in war veterans called War and the Soul by Edward Tick. There is a lot in the book, but one of the things he talks about is how the cultural and support system a person is in, both before and after the trauma, makes a huge difference on its impact.

And I know that "macho attitude" you mention is a big thing preventing a lot of people, including me, from getting help, even though they know something is wrong.

Interesting topic, Missy. Thanks for bringing it up.

Yeah, I know it can be hard for anyone seeking help especially a guy cause ever since they are little they are told not to cry, crying is for girls...and then as they get older, their friends bust their balls for showing any emotion or weakness...

Truth is, (in my opinion)...Getting help for PTSD......is a sign of being strong, NOT weak.

You know what Patrick, i am wondering in my bf's case from what you said about the support they get before/after the trauma makes a difference...

Well let me tell you that when he was in Iraq. his family didn't know... he didn't tell them (they thought he was stationed somewhere else) cause he didn't want them to worry..

Then after he came home he still didn't tell them... So his family doesn't even know he has PTSD. I think they think he has some anxiety ect... but really have no clue.. i am the only civilian he has to talk to.. besides Therapy..

I'm wondering if u think that could be why his PTSD is so bad...maybe if he had some support from the beginning.. it could of helped, instead of him bottling it all up in his head, thinking he was crazy...

I have such compassion and love for all you veterans. People (meaning not having or caring for someone with PTSD) how debilitaing PTSD is. How much of a struggle it is..

So many people dont know what emotional scars from War are.. War isn't what they think it is.. Veterans deserve to get ALOT more than what they are getting.

I know that it is better now than when you where in Nam Patrick. It pisses me off that your generation of Vets wern't treated better...

and it also pisses me off that some of you sufferers who got PTSD from other trauma wern't treated better. I am sorry for everything you all have been through.. You all are so much stronger and braver than me. I admire all of you!

Big HUG!!!!! Missy xoxoxox

 

[pandora]

I agree it has to do with the support you had at the time of the traumas...if it was negative and like me I became a workaholic and then when I had some severe reminders...BOOM..it all blew up in my face over 20 years later. Better late than never I guess as I am young enough to learn and learn how to live a different life and just accept that this is just the way my life turned out.... It takes strength and personal growth and willingness to learn how to change your thinking, forgive youtrself and others and just try to take it one day at a time especially if your symptoms rise.....good luck to you!

 

[missy8888]

Thank you Pandora

I agree it has to do with the support you had at the time of the traumas...if it was negative and like me I became a workaholic and then when I had some severe reminders...BOOM..it all blew up in my face over 20 years later. Better late than never I guess as I am young enough to learn and learn how to live a different life and just accept that this is just the way my life turned out.... It takes strength and personal growth and willingness to learn how to change your thinking, forgive youtrself and others and just try to take it one day at a time especially if your symptoms rise.....good luck to you!

Good Luck to you as well, thanks for the post! Missy

 

[Simpleman33]

I'm no expert on this, but from some of what I've read, a lot depends on how the trauma was dealt with right after it happened. If a safe, caring support system is available so the victim can process the experience right away, the lingering effects can be reduced.

I read an interesting book recently about PTSD in war veterans called War and the Soul by Edward Tick. There is a lot in the book, but one of the things he talks about is how the cultural and support system a person is in, both before and after the trauma, makes a huge difference on its impact.

And I know that "macho attitude" you mention is a big thing preventing a lot of people, including me, from getting help, even though they know something is wrong.

Interesting topic, Missy. Thanks for bringing it up.

This is a good point you bring up Patrick. When I was at inpatiant care at a VA hospital in St louis during a very low point for myself I had the privilage of speaking with my heros, veterans from past wars. A very wise man from WWII told me that he feels it made a difference that when he was coming back from the war he traveled for weeks in a boat with other soldiers who were headed home. He said this gave them all time to process what happened and cope with the difficult situations they had, not that it made everything better, but helped. On the other hand soldiers like myself are in Iraq one day, and on the streets in the US the next, Freaking the hell out. Just something to think about in regards to your post.

Eddy

 

[missy8888]

Hmmmm

Do you guys think that if BEFORE going into combat something more could be done as well? Or does it matter?? I was reading some of Anthonys posts about the military giving you PTSD kinda while in basic, to get you in the fight mode instead of flight..

But what i mean by some kind of help/support before is... hmmm i don't know how to even word what i am trying to say... But, it's like you have an 18 year old kid who is shipped off to the sandbox when 6 months before he was getting yelled at by his mother to clean up his room..

Now most 18 year olds i know arn't mature enough to even drive a car or handle civilian life.. an 18 year old that has been sent to combat just had the childhood ripped right out from under him in the first week...

Then it seems that once home....They are old men, in a young mans body... Thats how my boyfriend driscribes himself... he has no interest in doing things guys his age do..

It is just so sad. I just wish that there was something that could be done before and after to get rid of all the shit you all went through.. i can't thank you Vets enough for your service.

Patrick, I just ordered that book online from edward tick.. I am gonna read it first, then i will give it to my boyfriend... Thanks.. oxoxo

 

[Simpleman33]

Missy8888,

I feel the same way, I do not feel 26 on the inside at all. I do not get along with most people my age because of their maturatiy level, which is funny because they think they are so mature lol. On the other hand I am sure in some aspects that I am not mature - relationships for example - but I do not know, I do not judge myself well. In my therapy sessions I am starting to break down my childhood with my T. The reason we are doing this is because he thinks I had depression and GAD prior to going into the military. He believes this may have put me at greater risk of developing PTSD after serving in Iraq. Also ask your boyfriend if he feels this as well - I feel no purpose or meaning what so ever, I miss serving, I miss being a part of something greater than myself. My 9-5 job just seems so insignificant to me and not fulfilling. Just some more thoughts.

Eddy