Do you feel that PTSD is over-diagnosed or misdiagnosed?

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 12:49:18 -0400

Response by Sgt Christian ORourke made May 25 at 2016 1:01 PM

Sgt Christian ORourke — Wed, 25 May 2016 13:01:36 -0400

Miss Diagnosed

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made May 25 at 2016 1:02 PM

PO3 Sandra Gomke — Wed, 25 May 2016 13:02:39 -0400

PTSD is still largely unknown. As in it's symptoms, causes and manifestations. And effective treatments. We know it exists, we're just not sure of all the parameters. The latest conflicts have really brought it to the attention of the medical community. As with any malady, it can be exaggerated and misdiagnosed. And, unfortunately, faked.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made May 25 at 2016 1:16 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 25 May 2016 13:16:15 -0400

I think the nature of the threat in Iraq and Afghanistan has contributed to the higher rate of Soldiers with PTSD. Vietnam for instance, the Soldiers had an enemy that they could engage and shoot back at, where as we were subject to IEDs and a more fleeting enemy. The constant strain of wondering if the pothole, road patch, dog, soda can, guard rail, merging car, dumb ass in a man dress was going to blow up takes a toll. I'd much rather have someone to shoot at even though they shoot back, because at least you have some level of control on the outcome.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made May 25 at 2016 1:17 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Wed, 25 May 2016 13:17:00 -0400

I find very, very few soldiers who would fake PTSD. It might be a general diagnosis, but it is very real.

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made May 25 at 2016 1:54 PM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Wed, 25 May 2016 13:54:34 -0400

PTS in my humble opinion, is grossly unrecognized, misdiagnosed, pushed under the carpet and NOT diagnosed as often as it should be. Many people with pts kick the can down the road and try to tough it out as long as they possibly can. They fear labeling, stigma, and their peers are often not the most compassionate in nature. Way to often with post traumatic stress many people do not recognize what is happening to you and what it feels like to experience that terror.

There are many stages of PTS(D) and many different behaviours and chemical responses that occur within the Brain with this population. There are so many different treatment options available that it is almost criminal that it has taken this long to stabilize many. Some have had their amygdala over stressed for so long that they have no more adrenaline response. During this stage many people simply do not recognize that they even have it. It is the Oh well...

But most profoundly, It is not reported very often out of fear of retaliation. Being witness to someone who has been treated mis-poorly for reporting it. Over and over again this denial somehow becomes the norm. But it does not make it right. Ptsd is real and it does kill.

We in this professional have learned so much, yet there is so much more to learn and I for one am becoming inpatient.

So I am very confident in stating that NO, it is often poo-pood until...there is a trigger!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 25 at 2016 2:34 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 25 May 2016 14:34:34 -0400

I really hate this topic and it appears with regularity. Most that respond will do so with passion and personal attacks. Anyone that has served in combat that claims or have been diagnosed with PTSD should be afforded all assistance that the government can provide. Anyone else that makes a claim should be scrutinized quite closely. There are limited resources available and those with valid claims should be taken care of before someone that may not have gotten close to real life threatening situations or seen the results of war up close and personal.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 3:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 15:07:42 -0400

I feel that there are going to be misdiagnosis on both sides of the coin in regards to PTSD. There are so many factors that go into determining how a person could be affected by his or her experiences which may not even have to involve actual combat. In some cases PTSD may not present for many years after the event may have occurred. I am not sure there is going to be a good answer for this for some time and an awful lot more study.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 3:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 15:25:11 -0400

I plan to buy this book, as I believe Sebastion Junger understands soldiers like few do. I believe that the "tribe" theory explains why so many troops who haven't seen combat have a hard time reintegrating to life as well, and why "PTSD" is so widespread. Not that it doesn't exist, but that it is being improperly diagnosed in those that are simply having a hard time readjusting to a materialistic, metric driven, self absorbed, money obsessed society.
https://warisboring.com/tribe-diagnoses-america-s-ptsd-problem-a282060409ce#.6xpau2xvx

‘Tribe’ Diagnoses America’s PTSD Problem — War Is Boring

Sebastian Junger’s new book asks why returning soldiers feel so aloneby MATTHEW GAULT ¶Sebastian Junger had just graduated college when, in the fall of 1…

Response by SPC Sheryl Koch made May 25 at 2016 4:26 PM

SPC Sheryl Koch — Wed, 25 May 2016 16:26:18 -0400

Repressed would be a better way to put it. Then so is gws and tbi.