Overexposure To Location/ Culture/ Events As Possible Cause Of Ptsd?

[jrflipjr]

Is PTSD only caused by a single traumatic experience, or can prolonged, overexposure to an area/culture/threat/experience/etc. be a potential cause for PTSD?

I currently suffer major depression and recently had a massive emotional trigger (4 mths after return from deployment) that led to me an incident resulting in me destroying 2 vehicles (runing into my house with one), getting tazed 3 times by the police, asking the police to shoot me, and since then, persistent suicidal thoughts. I have several triggers that lead me to:
- Cry uncontrollably
- Become enraged
- Re-experience past thoughts and locations (not quite like a flashback, but very vivid)
- React to threats, sounds
- Have disturbing nightmares associated with this area of the world.
I am currently taking Effexor and seeing a military mental health professional. I've lost trust in the miltary on many levels and have begun to look for outside sources of support and healing.

I have travelled to and lived in many parts of Southwest Asia and the Middle East - most recently to Afghanistan for a year. I have lived in Soutwest Asia for roughly 13 years, both as a civilian (father worked in oil business) and as a military member. Although I have lived/travelled in many more countries, I suspect my condition is directly related to my experience in this part of the world. As such, the countries I have lived in/travelled to in this area include:

Ethiopia - Lived there for 2~3 yrs
- Witnessed/recall 1974 revolution at 3 yrs old

Saudi Arabia - Lived there for 4 years as a kid
- Recall cannon shots for Ramadan (very traumatizing as a kid)

Turkey - Lived there for 2 yrs and deployed to Turkey 2x
- Experienced lock down after USS Cole bombing and constant terrorist threat

Yemen - Deployed for 4 months
- Under constant terrorist threat

Tunisia - Lived there for 1 year; went to boarding school in Italy, but maintained "home" in Tunisia
- Experienced riots, curfews, etc. and evacuation by USMC from elementary school

Qatar - Deployed to Qatar 2x

Afghanistan - Lived there for 1 year
- Worked on joint military PRT team
- Experienced IEDs (small scale) and small arms fire

Israel - Travelled to when I was 2. Was likely there during the Yom Kippur war.

Thanks for considering my question. I encourage discussion on this topic and hope to meet others in a similar situation.

 

[anthony]

Is PTSD only caused by a single traumatic experience, or can prolonged, overexposure to an area/culture/threat/experience/etc. be a potential cause for PTSD?

Conclusively, PTSD can be caused by a single event or multiple events. All places above listed, have high prevalence of permanent PTSD due to the countries circumstances and history. Compounding trauma is worst than one off events typically via symptom severity, constant trauma over a long period is then often worse again, ie. childhood abuse that carries on for years, POW's, etc, where the brain is literally rewired from reality / social norm.

 

[Greg Clark]

I can't understand why some dads think it's "tough-ass" to drag their little kids through the trails of war and not expect there to be any fallout. I guess they're just naive. Maybe they're taking a risk they know they shouldn't be taking. I've lived in many countries too and just changing countries all the time is very stressful. So add war to a constantly changing environment and I'm absolutely NOT surprised that you're finding it difficult to cope. Some parents never think about the consequences of their choices on their families. Every generation feels like they have to pass on "better things" to their kids and they can get lost in this rather than just being there for their kids. Money is useful; but I'd rather have my family.
First of all, you're not alone. If I had a dime for every suicidal thought I've ever had!! The main thing is that you find a good psych doc ... don't be afraid to stick with one you like and don't be afraid to change docs if you don't feel you're getting the right help. Trust your instinct ... don't be afraid. Courage to look after yourself is the thing to remember.

 

[anthony]

If I had a dime for every suicidal thought I've ever had!!

Oh yer... they where just part and parcel of my day years ago... only pop back every now and then these days, with a quick kick back into the corner with reality.

 

[No Folded Hands]

I never heard of PTSD being caused by overexposure to a culture or area, but then that's not what you describe, in my opinion....to me that would mean something like spending too much time in the country as opposed to living in an urban environment, or living too long in kansas instead of some other state, or learning how people in the Inuit culture live....lol! What you describe, on the other hand, is traumatic incidents and constant threat situations. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find PTSD in someone desribing such experience.

I understand not trusting the military, or the VA for that matter. You may try to see someone outside military or VA through Fee Basis. Every major VA medical facility has a Fee Basis section. Essentially they pay the fees for you to see someone outside the system. You'd need to talk specifically to the one in your area about what procedure you need to follow there. I am currently working with a therapist through Fee Basis, but it took some pushing to get it authorized and some patience to find someone I could work with.

I am not clear if you are Active Duty now, or perhaps Guard, and I am not sure if you are eligible for VA care. It is another option to check out. And by the way...Welcome Home, Brother. Hope things get better for you.

BTW, you call it whatever you want...I just wanted to let you know how it looked to me when I saw the note title -possibly the phrase cultural overexposure may be similarly confusing to people you talk to before they hear any detail.

 

[anthony]

I never heard of PTSD being caused by overexposure to a culture or area, but then that's not what you describe, in my opinion....to me that would mean something like spending too much time in the country as opposed to living in an urban environment, or living too long in kansas instead of some other state, or learning how people in the Inuit culture live....lol!

Sure you have... just look within most countries and the poorer neighbourhoods that often come with risk factors just living in that area, ie. America - Brooklyn, what Americans call "the hood" and such neighbourhoods. You only need to live in them, never see a traumatic event, and you could develop PTSD from nothing other than knowing what is going on around you, ie. you hear gun shots often enough, police busting in doors, gang presence, etc. Being exposed to it is one thing, living within it is a whole different thing, especially if then removed from it to what is deemed normal, or moving into such an area from what is deemed normal, ie. due to sudden poverty. Not all countries have such extreme neighbourhoods, but those that do... could absolutely fit for PTSD, though I imagine it would be marginal.

There are studies that show evaluations done on poorer communities, neighbourhoods, where people meeting the diagnostic criterion for PTSD are above 60% in one area, and they consider it "normal". If they moved out of that area, and experienced socially normal as defined by a majority Western culture for a while, a good majority of those would develop severe PTSD as their brains begun to process how lucky they are to have lived through that time in their life.

A lot of military veterans never see any type of real action in combat zones, they develop PTSD due to being within such a threatened area that their brain is not used too. Its about the perceived threat, not actual threat.

 

[No Folded Hands]

Exactly, Anthony. It has nothing to do with the area. It's the traumatic incident and threat situation.

Trust me to know what happens to military veterans. I am one.

 

[anthony]

As am I... however, if the area doesn't exist, then neither does the threat situation! They go hand in hand... play on words, though unfortunately, some words go together to make-up the complete picture. I don't believe anyone is claiming its JUST about the area, but more specific locations are factually proven to be heightened stressors due to their cultural severity, which can also be said as traumatic abuse, threat, etc.

 

[jrflipjr]

Thanks all! I understand the possible overuse of the "P" word and what it actually entails. That's one of the reasons I've been searching for assistance. Each day is another and I expect it will get better....but there are definitely days...
I really appreciate the posts and look forward to reading more in the future.