Does anyone know the effect on children who grow up in an environment with parents who have PTSD?

2016-01-29T12:24:32-05:00

I ask only because my sister and I deal with depression while my other sister does not. Our father has PTSD from Vietnam. It caused our family to break apart and I saw violence, alcoholism, and much more as a very young child. I deal with depression, but I will say I have never hit any of my children and my wife and I never drink. It may seem like a strange question but can PTSD be passed on?

Response by SGT Larry Prentice made Jan 29 at 2016 12:27 PM

2016-01-29T12:27:14-05:00

I do not beleive PTSD is hereditary. I am not a doctor but my understanding is that its based each persons individual cases. Kudos to you for not following your fathers ways with the booze and free hands. I had a similar upbringing with an alcoholic father with free hands and I am not a drinker or abuser.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 12:38 PM

2016-01-29T12:38:47-05:00

I do not believe PTSD can be "passed on" but the actions of a person with PTSD can cause traumatic events in a child's life. If you say you saw violence, alcoholism, etc.. as a child some of those events could have been traumatic enough to effect your nurturing. It may not be PTSD but I believe we can safely say that growing up in a violent atmosphere is not great for children.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jan 29 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-01-29T12:51:48-05:00

There have been studies done. I will post a few links below for you to check out:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treatment/children/pro_child_parent_ptsd.asp

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/family/ptsd-children-adolescents.asp

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1414752/

When a Child's Parent Has PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Explains the common problems that children of veterans (or other adults) with PTSD experience and provides recommendations for how to cope with these difficulties.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-01-29T12:53:38-05:00

Robert, I am sorry that you and your sister are dealing with the effects of your father's PTSD. Below is a link to PTSD information about how a Veteran's PTSD symptoms affect his or her children. I hope this provides some answers and relief.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treatment/children/pro_child_parent_ptsd.asp

When a Child's Parent Has PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Explains the common problems that children of veterans (or other adults) with PTSD experience and provides recommendations for how to cope with these difficulties.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-01-29T12:53:57-05:00

PTSD cannot be physically passed on. Although someone with PTSD can very likely cause traumatic stress on another individual, especially a child. This link from the VA may be a good place to start.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treatment/children/pro_child_parent_ptsd.asp

When a Child's Parent Has PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Explains the common problems that children of veterans (or other adults) with PTSD experience and provides recommendations for how to cope with these difficulties.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jan 29 at 2016 3:28 PM

2016-01-29T15:28:03-05:00

I think that PTSD can effect the cell level and that an energy can be transfer, but more happens from being expose to a person as they fight or suffer with their demons, because this is knowledge that reside in your brain and will effect your decisions making.

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Jan 29 at 2016 3:36 PM

2016-01-29T15:36:19-05:00

Matt:
There are many tendencies that are genetic - my father was an alcoholic - I discovered at a young age that I could not drink at all. My mother was depression prone....so was I even as a young man prone to depression. After Vietnam I became a full blown PTSD suffer (we really didn't have a name for it then). I was a good father (not a great one), and excellent providers and my wife & children and I have been married 48 years...lucky for me I had lots of time to figure out why I was so angry during long unaccompanied tours and deployments.......shortly after I retired I became severely depressed (almost suicidal) and my best friend recommended a shrink - who had no military background - and I tried it and decided it was all mumbo jumbo....a decade alter I had my first group session with a PTSD group and it was like taking a warm shower after a month in the bush....I felt cleaner than I had in years and years.....lots of bro-hugs, tears and months later I came out of the fog and saw my blessed life again.....make no mistake my dad's alcoholism was a direct result of his PTSD from the Philippines and Okinawa and no one knew...God bless him for doing the best he could for so long for us. I can't wait to meet him in heaven and tell him how much I understand now. You proably could use to join Alanon - the support group for family of alcoholics....might do, but find someone - a good someone to help you work out that which you need to......Jim

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 29 at 2016 3:43 PM

2016-01-29T15:43:27-05:00

Yes my girls complain I don't do much around the house with them.