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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PTS is definitely not contagious, it doesn't pass on like the common cold. However, PTS could be pass to others through a learned response, where one person picks up the startle response by seeing the other doing the same- "Lead by Example", so to speak- so many times to where they are then "taught" that they feel that they should react with a Startle response too.
I'm not a Psychology major, but that's my Philippine Peso (equal to 2cents) worth.
I'm not a Psychology major, but that's my Philippine Peso (equal to 2cents) worth.
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Only in the sense that everybody and their grandmother is claiming PTSD for no reason whatsoever. It makes it so much harder on those with legitimate cases to get the help they need.
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SFC (Join to see)
I definitely agree. There is always the few that ruin a good thing for the majority.
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PV2 Violet Case
I had never even heard of PTSD until the VA diagnosed me with it along with many other things. But the one that gets me the most is they can tell me about the PTSD but let me hear it from the news that I was toxified at Ft McClellan AL and have been sick and dying from it. They would have rather diagnosed me with PTSD in 2009 at 60% and then asking them for the truth about FT McClellan and putting a claim for it they moved me to 100% now that Ive been partially bed ridden. Study Fort McClellan AL toxic exposure. So it may be a way the VA is using the PTSD to avoid some truths too it may not be the people.
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SFC Mark Merino
PO2 Rocky, are you refering to empathy in developing PTS or getting help for the benefit of the family?
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
Empathy on how one deasl with their friends with PTS. If someone is highly empathetic, then, yes, it could be "contagious" to that highly empathetic person
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SFC Mark Merino
Tracking. Counselors have mandatory counseling that they have to receive for themselves just to maintain their license.
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
I think that is a very good idea. There is a reason why so many psychiatric counselors commit suicide
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interesting question, no i dont think it is contagious, i guess if you spend enough time around someone who has it, they start to rub off on you and you could very well act different, but no. if you lived your life without a single incident, and then try to act like someone who has it, you are just an asshole... lol
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I do believe that it happens. I went through a very tough time in my life. My partner had it tough also when she didn't know how to help me get better. I got the help that I needed and thanks to her for sticking with me through those tough trenches.
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Psychologically, it affects everyone in your family. My Dad came back from 2 tours in Vietnam and was not the same person. For a long time it was like we were walking on broken glass, noises would aggravate him and he began drinking a lot. It affected our entire family and arguments became the norm. Finally, he got some help and things got better. Now, he's been just a good man, no drinking and his temperament is pretty good. I think he realized how much it was hurting everyone, to include himself and decided he wanted to get himself back. So, yeah! Definitely secondary exists.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Secondary is a very likely thing- One of my marines is dealing with this right now- he was fine, his wife got back from a deployment with PTSD, and as a result of her condition/treatment, now he is stressing out and drinking more, and now he is seeing the headshrinker. He is getting help and he will be alright, but it for sure exists; why else do you think your SNCOs drink? (
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SFC Mark Merino
It seems to add another layer of guilt for us, but it is the best motivation to get right with ourselves. At least we have identified it as a proplem that needs our attention.
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The spouse and the kids are mirrors and may crack if they don't get help as the one with PTSD has turned the world upside down.
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I've heard this from spouses mostly. It does affect our family members if someone comes up behind me and I jump they jump to, which rattles them a bit. Sometimes we are so safety aware it rubs off on our loved ones and that causes them some anxiety. Sometimes it's just annoying for loved ones. For example if someone says I'll stop by in the afternoon that does not work for me, I need to know specifically you will be here between such and such time. When my sister is coming to visit she calls to let me know she is leaving and I set a timer if she doesn't get here by the time the timer goes off I call her, no answer I start driving and looking for her. It use to annoy her more but now that she is 73 she thinks it's a good idea :-)
The thing that I try to guard against is convincing my family that the world is so unsafe that they should never leave their house, which is where I am most of the time.
The thing that I try to guard against is convincing my family that the world is so unsafe that they should never leave their house, which is where I am most of the time.
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SFC Mark Merino
So what do we do about it? Life is too short to just be a part of 2 or 3 people's lives. I have made some baby steps out of my comfort zone but I am still not happy with my social circuit. One thing I HAVE to do is find a job. At least then I will have more than just an internet friendship.
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PO1 Theresa Aldrich
Mark I've been very lucky that my website provides a purpose for me and allows for some social interaction. In 98 I moved closer to my family and a few come to visit and a couple really help me out with my life.
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SFC Mark Merino
Amen. I found RallyPoint helped bridge the gap from military to civilian life but I have to start weening myself from being on it so much.
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