Posted on Oct 23, 2014
Do you believe that your PTS (PTSD) symptoms can be found in your family members? It is called secondary PTS.
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Not contagious in the literal sense, but rather secondary PTS. They have been doing a much better job teaching us to identify the signs and symptoms of PTS in the military, but in my opinion they do not explain the effect that PTS has on our loved ones.
Symptom example: Startle response.
You are doing everything in your power to keep noise to a minimum so you don't find yourself clinging to the ceiling. Suddenly, the kids accidentally drop something and BOOM! That demon rises up and takes control. Even though you calm down and apologize, you plant that seed in those around you. Before long, even if you manage not to react, the kids may. They flinch and panic because they expect your reaction. We have now conditioned others to feel what we feel.
So many arguments happen in the family because of the lack of understanding that our symptoms can effect our loved ones. Don't waste your time pointing fingers. YOU might be Rambo and think you can deal with it on your own. Your family may not have that same iron constitution. If you don't want to get help for yourself, get help for their sake. One Team One Fight applies to family even more than the branch you faithfully serve.
This is an example from my life before I got help from the VA. Please share your opinions for the benefit of the community. God bless. Uncle Mark
Symptom example: Startle response.
You are doing everything in your power to keep noise to a minimum so you don't find yourself clinging to the ceiling. Suddenly, the kids accidentally drop something and BOOM! That demon rises up and takes control. Even though you calm down and apologize, you plant that seed in those around you. Before long, even if you manage not to react, the kids may. They flinch and panic because they expect your reaction. We have now conditioned others to feel what we feel.
So many arguments happen in the family because of the lack of understanding that our symptoms can effect our loved ones. Don't waste your time pointing fingers. YOU might be Rambo and think you can deal with it on your own. Your family may not have that same iron constitution. If you don't want to get help for yourself, get help for their sake. One Team One Fight applies to family even more than the branch you faithfully serve.
This is an example from my life before I got help from the VA. Please share your opinions for the benefit of the community. God bless. Uncle Mark
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I do not believe it is contagious but I do believe PTSD is used as a catch all by some doctors. Instead of finding the true problem they can diagnose PTSD and send the Soldier on their way.
I do think that unfortunately there are too many veterans out there that are also trying to abuse the PTSD diagnosis for a higher VA rating. If we are looking at anything being contagious I think it is greed and the almighty dollar. This pisses me off because it detracts from those that really do suffer and need help.
I do believe that PTSD has an effect on not only the individual but for those around them from unit moral to family life which causes other problems for those around them. This is not the fault of the person with PTSD but is a result of it. I believe with proper care it is treatable and the benefits for all the individual suffering and those that are in their life are invaluable.
Just my thoughts
I do think that unfortunately there are too many veterans out there that are also trying to abuse the PTSD diagnosis for a higher VA rating. If we are looking at anything being contagious I think it is greed and the almighty dollar. This pisses me off because it detracts from those that really do suffer and need help.
I do believe that PTSD has an effect on not only the individual but for those around them from unit moral to family life which causes other problems for those around them. This is not the fault of the person with PTSD but is a result of it. I believe with proper care it is treatable and the benefits for all the individual suffering and those that are in their life are invaluable.
Just my thoughts
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SFC Mark Merino
Agreed. It might not be anyone's "fault" but like a good vet, once a problem is identified, it is the responsibility of the service member to take the problem head on. Thanks for your input SGM.
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Continued on with my reply. .. accidentally hit send.
After a year of living like this, I asked her to leave, I knew that counseling wasn't helping, and our Therapists agreed that my wife was toxic and getting through this wasn't going to be possible with her negatives. Now here is the kicker, in every treatment, every session, my wife stated that the fault lie on ME alone. What was the first thing she did. ... Took her ass to the battered womens shelter and claimed secondary PTSD. They even asked her to provide my paperwork, and this gave her free legal services, court filings, documentation preparation, and as it stands.. .2 years of lawyer representation. (legal counsel). Her claims of secondary PTS only flew for a short time because she only went to my appointments, and did not continue anything further. But she was locked in the system and the program allows their services to the end. so do I think that PTSD is transferable to somebody else, it very well could be, but not to the extent of a war veteran or somebody who has been through horrific traumas or witnessed such things. There's two words but I mean what is apathy and empathy... Its certainly not empathy I have for my ex....
After a year of living like this, I asked her to leave, I knew that counseling wasn't helping, and our Therapists agreed that my wife was toxic and getting through this wasn't going to be possible with her negatives. Now here is the kicker, in every treatment, every session, my wife stated that the fault lie on ME alone. What was the first thing she did. ... Took her ass to the battered womens shelter and claimed secondary PTSD. They even asked her to provide my paperwork, and this gave her free legal services, court filings, documentation preparation, and as it stands.. .2 years of lawyer representation. (legal counsel). Her claims of secondary PTS only flew for a short time because she only went to my appointments, and did not continue anything further. But she was locked in the system and the program allows their services to the end. so do I think that PTSD is transferable to somebody else, it very well could be, but not to the extent of a war veteran or somebody who has been through horrific traumas or witnessed such things. There's two words but I mean what is apathy and empathy... Its certainly not empathy I have for my ex....
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Let me say this about any mental illness. It affects everyone close to that person. Do not be an enabler but face the reality of the situation and believing things can get better with proper treatment. Start proper treatment by understanding you are not alone in your recovery, that is true also for family members, you are not alone.
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LTJG Daniel Bouysou
Like most illnesses there are others affected especially family members, thus family or group therapy including significant others is prescribed.
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LTJG Daniel Bouysou
I said similar to co-dependency, not same as. since co-dependency usually involves an addiction and/or enabler. PTSD is an illness in its own right but all mental illness have common denominators starting with the brain. The environment is also a factors including significant others. That is why treatment consists of a team: psychiatrists, psychologist, professional counselor, social worker, medical doctor.
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Yes i do believe in Secondary PTS. You live in a environment enough you will start to take some of the responses. The best thing to do though is have your spouse take part in Therapy for herself. I know it helped in our house. Great post by the way this is what i like about rally point there are so many post that need to be discussed and you can bring it up here to the RP public and know just about everyone has experience when a issue comes up.
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PO2 Corey Ferretti
This is true. i was luck i had a great therapist. i did deal with alot of "SME's" that really did not understand it what so ever. I dont even consider myself a SME i give my experience and say im always open to talk and point them in a direction of the VA or towards a Dr. because i cant help them past being a place to just talk.
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PO2 Corey Ferretti
This is true. i was luck i had a great therapist. i did deal with alot of "SME's" that really did not understand it what so ever. I dont even consider myself a SME i give my experience and say im always open to talk and point them in a direction of the VA or towards a Dr. because i cant help them past being a place to just talk.
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LTJG Daniel Bouysou
As a former Licensed Professional Counselor I would say it is no more contagious than any other mental health disorder. I think the issue here is the use of the word contagious.
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PV2 Violet Case
could it be LTJG sir that if you have had alot of toxins in your body and then had children and formed PTSD that it could be brought threw the genes to those children and possibly grandchildren not in a contagious way but a way threw the genes. Because I was told many things could carry threw my genes from the toxins but in this situation fort McClellan AL was the worst in history and they do not no for sure what will happen to us or when but I the past two years have gone down bad and moved to 100% disability with the VA. But am partially bed ridden.
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LTJG Daniel Bouysou
Part of the healing process is to accept responsibility for what you can do for yourself.
The patient has to be invested in his own recovery.
The patient has to be invested in his own recovery.
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No, I don't think PTSD is contagious. The effect of it might be but not the condition itself. Bear with me here.
To the veteran who is going through it, it on going and probably can be helped with treatment, or he/she is just stuck with it for however long it takes to be controlled whether through medication or counselling or just self control. The point is, the vet has it, they are always in the mental environment and it may be there to stay. They can not easily "walk away" from it.
To the family, they may feel the "startle" effect, but once they are away from the environment or know how to deal with it, their reactions can be less impactful.
Obviously I am no authority on PTSD, this is JMHO
To the veteran who is going through it, it on going and probably can be helped with treatment, or he/she is just stuck with it for however long it takes to be controlled whether through medication or counselling or just self control. The point is, the vet has it, they are always in the mental environment and it may be there to stay. They can not easily "walk away" from it.
To the family, they may feel the "startle" effect, but once they are away from the environment or know how to deal with it, their reactions can be less impactful.
Obviously I am no authority on PTSD, this is JMHO
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Not PTSD itself, however the general mood can be. Like being around a happy or sad person can rub off, the mood one would create with PTSD may be mirrored by people around you for some time.
You listed the startle responce, one being on edge can make others edgy and more prone to startle, but only so much as while they are around him/her.
I think people around each other all with PTSD may enhance the symptoms.
Alas however, I'm not a shrink so its just an opinion.
You listed the startle responce, one being on edge can make others edgy and more prone to startle, but only so much as while they are around him/her.
I think people around each other all with PTSD may enhance the symptoms.
Alas however, I'm not a shrink so its just an opinion.
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Sgt Packy Flickinger
MARRIED!!! Nooooooooooo. Lol. Congrats. I'm not but Sarah and I have plans. Monday is the only day we have to go out together free of baby. Where's the wedding and honeymoon at?
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No. Someone can't develop someone's symptoms. They could react to the exhibiting symptoms, but according to the method of diagnosing PTSD, there has to be a certain number of symptoms met to be accurately diagnosed. If you have PTSD, have you heard about EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing? Ask your service provider about it. Also, PTSD can lessen over time.
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SA D Joseph Ruffin
Where are the services for veterans suffering from these symptoms? It would be easy to start a non profit that provided services specializing in helping vets with mental illness. It takes a year usually, but if you want to do it, I could help. I started one non profit, and although I didn't give funding, I did awaken people to my mission.
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PV2 Violet Case
I have dealt with the anxiety, depressive and PTSD along with toxins for many many years. AS it got worse certain things trigger it. Lots of people in an area for one. Have to have my back to the wall ect.. cant keep a relationship because no one understands. Im sick one day bleeding and migranes, kidney, stomach,early gallbladder out, early hystorectomy, surgeries and a few out of more then 200 in a church said my troubles were to over welming when I needed rides to and from hospitals. So I stopped calling. I live and own property over 2 and half hours one way from the nearest va clinic. I cant handle city or apartment life either.I honestly believe I have gotten worse since all their meds. I take 29 pills a day. Nurse comes in 2 times a month. I am trying to get whinned back off some of the drugs and just try to deal with the severe pain that haunts me daily. But I spend most of my time alone with my little United States Registered Service dog. I would be lost without him and the computer for outside world.I also have no immune system left.
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