PTSD - Is it really a disorder?

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 16:39:39 -0500

Over the past few years I've been interviewed by a lot of local newspapers, radio and televisions shows in my effort to raise awareness of issues we as Veterans are facing.  Several of these interviews include me talking about my personal battle with PTSD and while I use the acronym when I say the words I only call it Post  Traumatic Stress.  Because of this, I am asked why I drop the word "disorder".  Personally, I feel that PTSD is NOT a disorder.  It is my brain's normal reaction to an abnormal situation.  I feel that everyone that has gone through what we have gone through come back differently.  To me that isn't a disorder.<div><br></div><div>So my question to the RP group is what are your thoughts?  Do you view PTSD as a "disorder"?  What thoughts, if any, do you have about people labeling it a disorder?  Do you think this is why many Veterans choose to ignore it rather than seek treatment based on the general public's view of what disorders are?</div><div><br></div><div>I know what the doctors say, I'm just interest in what others think.</div>

Response by CMC Robert Young made Dec 31 at 2013 5:00 PM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 17:00:21 -0500

I don't think its a disorder. It's the body's reaction to stressful situations and events. Everybody experiences it at some point during their lives to one extent or another. And everybody reacts, adjusts, and rebounds from it in one way or another.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 31 at 2013 11:01 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 23:01:29 -0500

<p>I personally while being a sufferer or classified as one have always felt the disorder part was extremely overrated or focused on. People can have PTSD that have never been in the military, my wife has it because she had to see and deal with losing each of her parents within two weeks of each other when she was nine years old, and she has never put on a uniform at all. </p><p><br></p><p>So no it is not a disorder, it is a physical and mental reaction your body and mind go through in relation to a traumatic experience or occurrence. </p>

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Jan 1 at 2014 3:29 AM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 03:29:51 -0500

I see soldier's being diagnosed with PTSD that truly are just suffering from PTS, those with the actual "disorder" are more than likely Depressives or Bi-Polar like myself. It requires more time/money/effort to properly diagnose Depression, bi-polar and other mental disorders, so the military has been saving time by just slapping PTSD on people's records.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 8:39 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 20:39:37 -0500

I agree with you in part with the way it is perceived. I also don't believe it is a disorder I think it is more of a happening. It is your brain responding to some thing traumatic that you have witnessed. I personally don't like being "labeled" with a disorder.

Yes I believe troops to work hard to ignore the signs that pertain to this "disorder" I lived with it as a kid by watching my dad, It has taken me years to get him to receive "help" due to public perception.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Feb 26 at 2014 9:03 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 21:03:39 -0500

I think the issue has to do with the way the psychs classify disorder in DSM 4 and 5. Basically anything outside of "normal" is a disorder. Since the only place you find "normal" is on a washing machine, it pretty much means everyone has a disorder. While 4 made diagnosis of PTSD among military and law enforcement difficult, 5 modified the criteria to take into consideration training that would force certain symptoms below the radar. <br>The real question is, can you adapt your reaction to your new environment? Do you even want to try?<br>

Response by CPO Richard Ullom MSITM, CISM, CERP, HISP made Feb 27 at 2014 8:45 AM

CPO Richard Ullom MSITM, CISM, CERP, HISP — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 08:45:35 -0500

I believe that while we are on active duty we are so focused on what we do and the need for order and discipline we tend to dismiss this issue. In fact whether you call it a disorder, disability, sickness, psychological illness, etc. is is a fact that each must deal with when they return and move out of the normal military group.

Response by CPT Lance Cutsforth made Mar 8 at 2014 4:58 PM

CPT Lance Cutsforth — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 16:58:31 -0500

I also agree that it lends a negative connotation to be labeled a "disorder" when it is a reaction to trauma. It has a clinical definition, but for the lay person, it has a stigma that isn't very flattering. I prefer to drop the D as well if given the choice...

Response by SGT Leigh Barton made Mar 11 at 2014 5:02 AM

SGT Leigh Barton — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 05:02:10 -0400

In a word, yes. The word "disorder" describes function. It's a binary word meaning not functioning in its proper order. As applied to medical conditions, anything abnormal is a disorder, the word being used interchangeably with condition. So a medical disorder is simply a medical condition. However to further quantify such things to assist in understanding them, I typically used injury, illness, and anatomical dysfunction as guidelines to assist in determining the nature of the condition being analyzed. Further analysis would attempt to ascertain which of the nine body systems are involved. Since it's origin is not parasitic in nature as Malaria, Encephalitis, or the myriad varieties of helminthic, viral, rickettsial, or fungal parasites, it is not an illness. Since it does not impede the normal physical functions of any components of the human body it is not an anatomical dysfunction. It is an injury, period. As the name implies, Post (meaning after) Traumatic (meaning impact related) stress (meaning pressure) disorder. Or a condition that has developed as the direct result of a stress producing event. Personally I would further categorize it as what the Emergency medical handbook describes as shock of a psychogenic nature, much as the residual effects of malaria, trauma induced amnesia, or trauma induced epilepsy, or even catatonia. Does that help answer the question?<br>

Response by SGT Leigh Barton made Mar 17 at 2014 7:40 AM

SGT Leigh Barton — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 07:40:40 -0400

After explaining my views on the condition it seems appropriate to explain the basis for my comment. Since this is both personal and difficult for me to explain, some background is in order. The first six years after my discharge found me spending sixteen hours a day unconscious, the other eight I was barely lucid. Both of my younger brothers knew something was wrong, and VA kept coming up with Flu or other diagnoses. The flu doesn't last for six years. The older of the two decided to start me on nutritional therapy with remarkable results. Magic bullet. Fortunately since the Army lost my records seventeen times I retained them. I had been through them repeatedly to no avail when I encountered another vet that had a level 4 case of PTSD. He's the one that pointed out the similarities in my symptoms to his own. After some discussion it developed that before he developed the disorder he had been on a fourteen day patrol. He went for a beer and thought he got some bad hooch. Local brew, Vietnam. The big picture hit me a few weeks later. Fourteen days in the jungle, overheated, exhausted, malnourished, dehydrated, and flirting with exposure, he heads for an air conditioned exchange, and pounds down an ice cold beer. That's one serious shock for the system. Naturally the local beer is cheaper, so that's what he gets, and the booze gets the blame for the next two days of disorientation. The temperature was what caused the injury. He goes into shock and the next patrol he's walking wounded and doesn't even know it. It would be like giving an autistic teenager a rifle and putting him in a firefight. He also commented that any effective treatment for PTSD includes a nutritional support regimen. Although I don't have the resources to research the subject properly, the process that seems to develop is an environmental sensitivity causing the body to respond too aggressively to changes in the environment, over utilizing the nutrients across the board at an accelerated rate, since their function in the body is to maintain optimum acclimatization to the environment. The same type of injury would also account for the residual effects of Malaria, with the heat of the pathogenic (disease) process being the culprit instead of the environment. Essentially the body can no longer get it's required level of nutrients and trace elements from the normal diet, and when the levels fall too low, shock sets in. The undiagnosed heat injury seems so far to be applicable to heat injury, PTSD, and Malaria. However I'm uncertain who to ask to evaluate this assessment. The upshot is that it has worked for me and may help improve the treatment others are undergoing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 1:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 13:30:11 -0400

I know there have been moves to rename it PTSS post traumatic stress syndrome rather than disorder to alleviate some of the stigma with it

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 6:02 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:02:27 -0400

Yes it is!

Response by SPC Michael Hunt made Mar 17 at 2014 6:19 PM

SPC Michael Hunt — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:19:41 -0400

Mental Health issues often times come with a stigma attached to them such as the word Disorder. I too suffer from PTS and for me it is a Disorder because for a number of years I could not function as I would have normally. After several years of recovery I am just now able to function on a more normal basis and soon I hope to re-enter the work force. What we need is an anti stigma campagne for mental health, substance abuse and homeless issues facing many Veterans today.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 7:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 19:05:58 -0400

PTSD is pretty clearly defined in the DSM. I think the greater issue is the tendency to overclassify Post Traumatic Stress as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There is a clear escalation of symptoms and time required for a valid PTSD diagnosis. I think referring to every case of adjustment disorder, acute stress disorder, or any other failure to adapt, as PTSD is the real issue.

Response by SPC(P) Delcina Myers made Mar 17 at 2014 10:43 PM

SPC(P) Delcina Myers — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 22:43:17 -0400

SGT, I suffer from PTSD... But not from the military... And yes, I believe it is a disorder, because for 1) it wouldn't have the word "disorder" in it if it wasn't, and two, its a chemical imbalance in the brain causing medication to be a treatment. Name one chemical imbalance in the brain that ISN'T a disorder and DOESN'T need medication. Everything is a disorder. In my eyes.

Response by A1C Joe Metcalf made Mar 18 at 2014 1:42 AM

A1C Joe Metcalf — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 01:42:40 -0400

I'm going to share this .. It took 18 years for me,, to finally see .. its not so much a pts for me, i get shakes, panic attacks, nightmares, cold sweats, I can't sleep, and I'm always scanning a crowd.. We all do.. the problem is while we are working together on or off mission, we know who our enemy is. The civilian world is a disaster compared to Military lifestyle.. Its like being fed a drug and then have it taken away .. the problem is an ingrained lifestyle just does not go away .. we are military for life, well some of us are.. And living in the Civilian world, you just can't put the genie back in the bottle .. it doesn't matter if it is a Disorder , a Mental problem .. it needs attention .. there is so much more to it then emotional stress, and mental issues , it goes much deeper.. and feeding us drugs and sleeping 16 hours a day does not cut it.. 

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Mar 18 at 2014 11:37 AM

SPC David Wyckoff — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 11:37:29 -0400

I can only speak for myself, but it might be that my opinion could be echoed by others like me.

My wife has sworn for over twenty years that I have PTSD or PTS. I know something is wrong but I don't think its PTSD. However, my kids will tell you that I have had moments where they didn't even know if I was mentally in control of what I was doing. Rage, depression, withdrawl, insomnia, hyper alertness, followed by utter exhaustion...all the symptoms that the book talks about. I managed to raise three kids and never beat them or strike them in anger. That's only thanks to my wife who found a way to difuse me time and time again. I never hit her either. But I have said some things to my wife and kids that hurt more than any beating ever could. That red rage would take over and I couldn't find a way to stop it. I still haven't.

I have never truly been to a Dr to be evaluated, and here's the reason why. I don't feel that I have it. When I listen to my Dad and Uncles talk about Vietnam I think wow, I never did or saw anything like that. Subsequent to coming back home we were praised and welcomed, then we were told that our war didn't count. That it wasn't a real war. That it only lasted 100 hours. In my mind there are only a few soldiers from DS that should have PTSD and I didn't feel I was one of them. I didn't even feel I was entitled to any VA SC compensation until my disability began to interfere with my ability to earn a living and take care of my family. I mean I didn't lose a limb, right? I wasn't shot or wounded in battle. VA service connection was for the real soldiers.

Even to this day I still answer the questions at the VA as if everything is hunky dory. Yes I sleep fine, no I am not depressed, no I am not suicidal...and on and on.

I was honest with one Dr, one time. She put me on mood meds and scheduled me for a group session. I went. There were Vietnam, OIF, and OEF vets in there talking. I felt like I didn't belong there. These were hard charging warriors who has actually been in the shit. So I never went back.

Maybe it has to do a little bit with the ol grunt and remf thing. I was a guy, who did a thing, a long time ago. But I wasn't THE guy. The one that seeks out, finds and closes with the enemy and destroys them. I'm the guy who kept the machine running that helped THE guy do his job. I managed to find a place in society and keep from letting the craziness control me.

Sorry I got to going and couldn't get stopped.

EDIT NOTE

My apologies I blathered on and didn't even answer the OP's question. My answer is, that is probably doesn't really matter what you call it. Only a medical professional needs a specific category name so they can put a pin in it for diagnosis sake.

The reality is that service members are suffering from it and for whatever reason are not seeking help. If it helps them seek professional help to call it something else besides a disorder, then lets change the name.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 18 at 2014 11:51 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 23:51:32 -0400

I don't think it's the word "disorder" that causes the stigma.  It's the entire term.  For example people who say they are OCD.  They rarely mean that in a negative way.  Some even say it proudly and it's often looked at as a positive.  The word disorder doesn't change that.<div>DIS-order simply means I have something that I can't get in order.  Whether it's eating,  or post traumatic stress, and I need help to do it or fix it. (get it in order)</div><div>We all have stress; marital stress, kid stress, financial stress, whatever.  Once those stresses present with medical symptoms it becomes a disorder in my opinion.  For some people that level of stress is high, others low.  Someone can see someones head get blown off and be fine, another persons life could be ruined by it.  </div><div>I think someone with PTSD is more concerned about the symptoms than with someone pointing out they have a disorder.</div><div>I tell my folks, I have PTS....you don't wanna see my "D!"</div><div><br></div>

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Mar 19 at 2014 8:03 AM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 08:03:05 -0400

PTSD, whether you call it disorder or syndrome. I think many veterans that suffer from it, are scared to approach for help whether with the VA or the outside world.

With the current political situation, especially with the 2nd Amendment being challenge many don't see help. Also, I could be accused of having it, I just dealt with it. My son had to seek help from VA, he has had an harder time dealing with it. (OEF 2009).

Also, it depends on each individual how they handle it mentally. Emotions are different from person to person on various situations.

Response by MSgt Raymond Hickey made Mar 19 at 2014 1:12 PM

MSgt Raymond Hickey — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:12:00 -0400

To all the responses...it is gratifying and eye opening to read all the responses. I have been diagnosed with PTSD... so what? All the responses are very intellectual, but in the long term, who cares? The word (disability) is really not all that much of a issue. Each of us deals with any myriad of personalty quirks...this makes us "individuals", not robots.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 12:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:01:41 -0400

The "D" in PTSD classifies it as a disorder. Not every single person with PTS has PTSD.

Response by SGT Leigh Barton made Jul 2 at 2014 1:46 PM

SGT Leigh Barton — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 13:46:11 -0400

Shared on facebook
With the level of medical training I received in the Army, its easy for me to see many of those invisible illnesses. While I have had to realize that virtually every person around me has some form of illness, it has also been necessary to realize that I don't have to look for "what's wrong" with them. When I look for "what's right" with them, I tend to be more compassionate and tolerant. Not only towards others, but towards myself as well.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2014 9:39 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 21:39:06 -0400

I think that one of the biggest problems with PTSD is the ONSET of the condition. Take two normal, adjusted people and put them through the exact same thing - at the same time, and one can be messed up for life, while the other one just calls that day, "Tuesday."

Sgt Keen, I'll argue your point about "disorder" - because it is an abnormal response to a trigger that happened in the past - key word being "abnormal." This doesn't matter if it's a recurring uncomfortable dream, or continual panic attacks and agoraphobia (fear of open places/outdoors) that renders you immobile, or anything else - it's not a "normal" response to whatever the most recent situation required.

That's why it needs to still be called a "disorder".

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made Jul 22 at 2014 11:47 AM

Sgt Randy Hill — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:47:43 -0400

I believe it to be an adaptation caused by extreme stress. If we keep calling it a mental disorder the stigma still rears it ugly head. People become defensive instead of talking.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Aug 10 at 2014 12:55 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 12:55:54 -0400

Here is a Video I thought I put here, it was brought to my attention by one of our former RP members.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53tqlfU4LF0#t=50

Coming Home: Justice for our veterans

An alternative court program in Harris County, Texas, seeks to rehabilitate veterans who turn to crime for the first time. Scott Pelley reports.

Response by Sgt S.P. Woodke made Aug 11 at 2014 3:16 PM

Sgt S.P. Woodke — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:16:55 -0400

War time situations - you see scenarios that you weren't meant to see...it messes with you...People are all wired differently...some can take more - than others...

Response by Capt Peter Colby made Aug 11 at 2014 3:27 PM

Capt Peter Colby — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:27:25 -0400

I proudly enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1973 and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant before leaving the Corps in June of 1982 to complete my degree. Upon completion, the Corps accepted my application to attend OCS and I was commissioned in December of 1984. I retired after twenty years of service on April 1, 1996. It was a sad day - as the Corps was my life - but I knew it was time to move on.

I hold a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in public administration, neither of which would help me do what I believe I was called to do two years ago.

During the past decade, approximately 3 million patriotic Americans answered the call to duty and have served in combat operations in either Iraq, Afghanistan, or both. Anywhere between 35% and 45% have returned home with either Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). How have our governmental agencies, especially the VA, responded? They should hang their heads in shame!

The VA is a disgrace. Recent information demonstrates that doctor's are not just acting unethically, but criminally. Statistics reflect that 22 veterans are committing suicide each and every day of the year. Currently, the VA has an application backlog of 548,000 and of those, more than half have been waiting 4 months for a rating decision. Would this level of performance been acceptable in the Corps?

At my age, I believe two years ago our good Lord directed me back to school to attain the credentials necessary to help these young warriors. In less than a year I will complete my master's in rehabilitation counseling and immediately begin trying to help our young brothers and sisters heal the psychological wounds inflicted by combat.

I believe that we, as former or current Brothers & Sisters In Arms, should reflect on the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful - and hold our elected officials accountable for the damage inflicted and responsible for providing the treatment that these warriors immediately require.

We would never leave a fellow warrior, wounded on the battlefield, for 4 months without ensuring he or she receives proper medical care. Why are we allowing wounded warriors who brought the battlefield home with them, to go untreated?

I know that we haven't forgotten the definition of the term "Leadership." Do we, as both former and current warriors, not have a responsibility to exercise leadership to ensure a wounded warrior receives the care he or she requires? What can we do to help them?

Response by Capt Peter Colby made Aug 11 at 2014 7:34 PM

Capt Peter Colby — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:34:24 -0400

My recommendation - let's keep our eye on the big picture.

To the warrior suffering the psychological effects that, for the sake of this discussion, were triggered by the shock, horror and terror of combat, do you think he or she actually cares if they're classified with PTS or PTSD? They don't care - they just want help to make the suffering stop! Not receiving proper treatment in a timely manner has resulted in a current statistic of 22 veterans committing suicide each and every day.

PTSD is a mental disorder. Why - because of the neurological changes that take place in the prefrontal lobe, the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the medial prefontal cortex following a traumatic event such as combat.

The DSM is nothing more than a diagnostic tool. It was written to "assist" a clinician in forming a diagnosis of their patient. The "final" diagnosis is determined by the clinician - not the DSM.

Society has stigmatized those who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan - regardless if they saw combat or not. Change the name from PTSD to whatever you want, it really doesn't matter. Society will continue to associate the fact that you served in a combat zone, therefore you must suffer from PTSD.

Let's forget about terminology and get our Brothers & Sisters in Arms the help that they so desperately need!