News Ptsd In Ancient Mesopotamia...

[WillyKat]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/ancient/ptsd-may-old-combat/

 

[greenleaf]

I think that our very distant ancestors didn't quite figure out a foolproof way to squash a bigger neocortex onto that older stuff... Seems to be a multi-species issue, though maybe not in actual reptiles?

Friends have an African grey parrot who sure acts like he was traumatized as a chick; he had apparently been bird-napped from his flock and parents as a young bird and is still terrified of men with beards; he has never developed into as social and calm a bird as human-raised African greys. I've also heard of ptsd-like things in cats, other primates, rodents... I'm sure some details differ but lots of chemistry is similar apparently...

 

[therisa]

Star, an abused kitten, who I have taken in, 3 years ago, still show signs of trauma, around me, even though, she knows, I won't hurt her and feels comfortable around me.

 

[greenleaf]

That is wonderful that you are helping Star, @therisa . I have (formerly?) feral cats and it is very calming to me and rewarding too when I slowly have figured out how to help them feel safer. I think it is teaching me emotional level things about safe feelings.

:chicken: I am including this chicken emoticon due to the very sad lack of a kitten emoticon on this list.

 

[therisa]

Thank you, @greenleaf . The only time, she let me, hold her, is when we are sitting on the edge of the bathtub, after my bath. She will sit on my lap and purr, like a Mack truck. As I alternate kisses and long stroke pets, down her back. In many ways, Star has helped me, in my own healing.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Yep, I'd definitely say it predates Mesopotamia! My dog is a rescue and she has an exaggerated startle response. Its quite sad to see her react like I do when she is startled. Sometimes she even startles herself! While hilarious, I still feel really bad as there's not much I can do for her other than comfort her. I don't even want to think what her previous owners did to her to make her this way.

 

[therisa]

I have similar feelings about the monster, who took Star in, @Solara .