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From the Experts: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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By April Bradford
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Note from the Editor:

This article was written for the SDC by psychologist and member @Jan A. Jan A. works part-time, taking on clients under the Medicare Mental Health Care Plans. She works with people of all ages, from children to seniors!


Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (often shortened to PTSD) is a debilitating condition that generates anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and assorted other associated conditions. When first recognised as a condition, it was mostly associated with combat. It was termed 'shell shock' or 'battle fatigue'.

Over time, it has come to be recognised as a response to highly traumatic events not necessarily related to combat. It might be most easily described as 'extended shock’.




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Treatment and support is available. Image Credit: Shutterstock



The 2010 International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) describes PTSD as follows:

‘Arises as a delayed or protracted response to a stressful event or situation (of either brief or long duration) of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone. Predisposing factors, such as personality traits (e.g. compulsive, asthenic) or previous history of neurotic illness, may lower the threshold for the development of the syndrome or aggravate its course, but they are neither necessary nor sufficient to explain its occurrence. Typical features include episodes of repeated reliving of the trauma in intrusive memories ('flashbacks'), dreams or nightmares, occurring against the persisting background of a sense of 'numbness ' and emotional blunting, detachment from other people, unresponsiveness to surroundings, anhedonia, and avoidance of activities and situations reminiscent of the trauma. There is usually a state of autonomic hyperarousal with hypervigilance, an enhanced startle reaction, and insomnia. Anxiety and depression are commonly associated with the above symptoms and signs, and suicidal ideation is not infrequent. The onset follows the trauma with a latency period that may range from a few weeks to months. The course fluctuates, but recovery can be expected in the majority of cases. In a small proportion of cases, the condition may follow a chronic course over many years, with an eventual transition to an enduring personality change.’
Click to expand...

PTSD can arise when a person:

(i) experiences an event where the person believes they are threatened with death or serious personal injury, such as in crimes, war, accidents, torture and natural disasters, or
(ii) witnesses such events happening to another or others, or
(iii) learns of such an event happening to family or other close associates.



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I am really sorry for what you are going through. It must be so hard to be in four walls all the time. PTSD isn’t talked about much, it should be, only then will there be more understanding. Like many illnesses that are not written about or discussed so society in general have an opportunity to know it exists & learn to give compassion.
Best wishes to you & may the holiday season be kind to you. 🌻🦋
 
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Jany said:
I am really sorry for what you are going through. It must be so hard to be in four walls all the time. PTSD isn’t talked about much, it should be, only then will there be more understanding. Like many illnesses that are not written about or discussed so society in general have an opportunity to know it exists & learn to give compassion.
Best wishes to you & may the holiday season be kind to you. 🌻🦋
Click to expand...
it is & thank you
 
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Also written on the other thread*

My partner suffers from PTSD.
Years ago he left his work in the morning and went to a doctor to speak about depression, the doctor didn't do a thing really, he just gave him a note to take to the local hospital. It took us a year to find out what that note said but when we did find out we were shocked.
It said just two words, "General depression"
When he gave the letter to the hospital they immediately bundled him to a cubicle and put a security guard on his bed. He was trying to contact me to go in and bring him home but when I got there I was brought into a room and they used the word "suicidal", of which he wasn't. They kept on and on at me until it began to sound like I was agreeing with them, I was just so desperate to see him that I would have said anything in the end.
Meanwhile he wanted a smoke but wasn't allowed to leave his bed so he just walked out with two burley security guards at his heels, a code black was called which basically shut the whole emergency ward down. They chased him outside and assaulted him, breaking a tooth, to get him back to his bed.
He was sedated twice with neither of them working, when I finally got into see him he was furious, it broke my heart to see this mild mannered man being treated this way.
I was only allowed 5 minutes with him and then he was taken to another hospital over an hour from us to be put into their mental health ward. The next day I went into see him and he blamed me for the whole thing, he told me that the hospital had told him I said he was suicidal, which couldn't be further from the truth.
The hospital banned me from seeing him or even talking on the phone for 3 days, one of the longest 3 days of my life.
When I finally got to see him he fell into my arms begging for forgiveness, we both cried buckets.
I contacted lawyers and no one would take on our case, he didn't need to be there, all he wanted was some anti-depressants but got treated like a criminal. We did get to see the hospitals liason officer but they work for the hospital so of course we didn't get anywhere with them.
Finally after 10 long days he was released with a bucket load of anti-depressants and sleeping pills.
The hospital did nothing for him, they just gave him a bad case of PTSD which follows him today, last year when I was in hospital on many occasions he would be physically sick when he had to come to visit me so we made his visits short and sweet. Today we live a nice quiet life, neither of us drink anymore and we enjoy spending every evening together watching tv or playing games..

Sorry for the novel.
 
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deni67 said:
Also written on the other thread*

My partner suffers from PTSD.
Years ago he left his work in the morning and went to a doctor to speak about depression, the doctor didn't do a thing really, he just gave him a note to take to the local hospital. It took us a year to find out what that note said but when we did find out we were shocked.
It said just two words, "General depression"
When he gave the letter to the hospital they immediately bundled him to a cubicle and put a security guard on his bed. He was trying to contact me to go in and bring him home but when I got there I was brought into a room and they used the word "suicidal", of which he wasn't. They kept on and on at me until it began to sound like I was agreeing with them, I was just so desperate to see him that I would have said anything in the end.
Meanwhile he wanted a smoke but wasn't allowed to leave his bed so he just walked out with two burley security guards at his heels, a code black was called which basically shut the whole emergency ward down. They chased him outside and assaulted him, breaking a tooth, to get him back to his bed.
He was sedated twice with neither of them working, when I finally got into see him he was furious, it broke my heart to see this mild mannered man being treated this way.
I was only allowed 5 minutes with him and then he was taken to another hospital over an hour from us to be put into their mental health ward. The next day I went into see him and he blamed me for the whole thing, he told me that the hospital had told him I said he was suicidal, which couldn't be further from the truth.
The hospital banned me from seeing him or even talking on the phone for 3 days, one of the longest 3 days of my life.
When I finally got to see him he fell into my arms begging for forgiveness, we both cried buckets.
I contacted lawyers and no one would take on our case, he didn't need to be there, all he wanted was some anti-depressants but got treated like a criminal. We did get to see the hospitals liason officer but they work for the hospital so of course we didn't get anywhere with them.
Finally after 10 long days he was released with a bucket load of anti-depressants and sleeping pills.
The hospital did nothing for him, they just gave him a bad case of PTSD which follows him today, last year when I was in hospital on many occasions he would be physically sick when he had to come to visit me so we made his visits short and sweet. Today we live a nice quiet life, neither of us drink anymore and we enjoy spending every evening together watching tv or playing games..

Sorry for the novel.
Click to expand...
So sorry for that dreadful experience. Unfortunately hospitals are not always the caring, safe places they are expected to be. Always good to have another person to attend with you. So glad things are going well for you both now. Best wishes 🌺
 
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deni67 said:
Also written on the other thread*

My partner suffers from PTSD.
Years ago he left his work in the morning and went to a doctor to speak about depression, the doctor didn't do a thing really, he just gave him a note to take to the local hospital. It took us a year to find out what that note said but when we did find out we were shocked.
It said just two words, "General depression"
When he gave the letter to the hospital they immediately bundled him to a cubicle and put a security guard on his bed. He was trying to contact me to go in and bring him home but when I got there I was brought into a room and they used the word "suicidal", of which he wasn't. They kept on and on at me until it began to sound like I was agreeing with them, I was just so desperate to see him that I would have said anything in the end.
Meanwhile he wanted a smoke but wasn't allowed to leave his bed so he just walked out with two burley security guards at his heels, a code black was called which basically shut the whole emergency ward down. They chased him outside and assaulted him, breaking a tooth, to get him back to his bed.
He was sedated twice with neither of them working, when I finally got into see him he was furious, it broke my heart to see this mild mannered man being treated this way.
I was only allowed 5 minutes with him and then he was taken to another hospital over an hour from us to be put into their mental health ward. The next day I went into see him and he blamed me for the whole thing, he told me that the hospital had told him I said he was suicidal, which couldn't be further from the truth.
The hospital banned me from seeing him or even talking on the phone for 3 days, one of the longest 3 days of my life.
When I finally got to see him he fell into my arms begging for forgiveness, we both cried buckets.
I contacted lawyers and no one would take on our case, he didn't need to be there, all he wanted was some anti-depressants but got treated like a criminal. We did get to see the hospitals liason officer but they work for the hospital so of course we didn't get anywhere with them.
Finally after 10 long days he was released with a bucket load of anti-depressants and sleeping pills.
The hospital did nothing for him, they just gave him a bad case of PTSD which follows him today, last year when I was in hospital on many occasions he would be physically sick when he had to come to visit me so we made his visits short and sweet. Today we live a nice quiet life, neither of us drink anymore and we enjoy spending every evening together watching tv or playing games..

Sorry for the novel.
Click to expand...
Some doctors and hospitals have alot to answer for. That was totally avoidable. I am so sorry you were both put through that
 
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deni67 said:
Also written on the other thread*

My partner suffers from PTSD.
Years ago he left his work in the morning and went to a doctor to speak about depression, the doctor didn't do a thing really, he just gave him a note to take to the local hospital. It took us a year to find out what that note said but when we did find out we were shocked.
It said just two words, "General depression"
When he gave the letter to the hospital they immediately bundled him to a cubicle and put a security guard on his bed. He was trying to contact me to go in and bring him home but when I got there I was brought into a room and they used the word "suicidal", of which he wasn't. They kept on and on at me until it began to sound like I was agreeing with them, I was just so desperate to see him that I would have said anything in the end.
Meanwhile he wanted a smoke but wasn't allowed to leave his bed so he just walked out with two burley security guards at his heels, a code black was called which basically shut the whole emergency ward down. They chased him outside and assaulted him, breaking a tooth, to get him back to his bed.
He was sedated twice with neither of them working, when I finally got into see him he was furious, it broke my heart to see this mild mannered man being treated this way.
I was only allowed 5 minutes with him and then he was taken to another hospital over an hour from us to be put into their mental health ward. The next day I went into see him and he blamed me for the whole thing, he told me that the hospital had told him I said he was suicidal, which couldn't be further from the truth.
The hospital banned me from seeing him or even talking on the phone for 3 days, one of the longest 3 days of my life.
When I finally got to see him he fell into my arms begging for forgiveness, we both cried buckets.
I contacted lawyers and no one would take on our case, he didn't need to be there, all he wanted was some anti-depressants but got treated like a criminal. We did get to see the hospitals liason officer but they work for the hospital so of course we didn't get anywhere with them.
Finally after 10 long days he was released with a bucket load of anti-depressants and sleeping pills.
The hospital did nothing for him, they just gave him a bad case of PTSD which follows him today, last year when I was in hospital on many occasions he would be physically sick when he had to come to visit me so we made his visits short and sweet. Today we live a nice quiet life, neither of us drink anymore and we enjoy spending every evening together watching tv or playing games..

Sorry for the novel.
Click to expand...
My God, what a terrible experience. You have my sympathies.
I don't feel like I suffer from PTSD but I get constant flashbacks and dreams after my husband choked to death in front of me and my daughter about a year ago. despite my best efforts to save him.
I know I did the best I could but the situation was compounded recently when I received a phone call from one of my stepdaughters blaming me for my husband's death as in her opinion I should have taken better care of him.

This whole episode has now had a very bad effect on my intellectually disabled daughter who is terrified that something will happen to me.
You never know when you wake in the morning what that day is going to bring.
 
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@mylittletibbies, I would cut the stepdaughter out of my life completely. You don’t need that stress in your life.

It’s a fulfilling feeling to know one’s done their very best and have no regrets. Focus on the positives. Best not to allow that selfish, thoughtless person impact your life.

Best wishes to you and your daughter. ❤️❤️
 
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deni67 said:
Also written on the other thread*

My partner suffers from PTSD.
Years ago he left his work in the morning and went to a doctor to speak about depression, the doctor didn't do a thing really, he just gave him a note to take to the local hospital. It took us a year to find out what that note said but when we did find out we were shocked.
It said just two words, "General depression"
When he gave the letter to the hospital they immediately bundled him to a cubicle and put a security guard on his bed. He was trying to contact me to go in and bring him home but when I got there I was brought into a room and they used the word "suicidal", of which he wasn't. They kept on and on at me until it began to sound like I was agreeing with them, I was just so desperate to see him that I would have said anything in the end.
Meanwhile he wanted a smoke but wasn't allowed to leave his bed so he just walked out with two burley security guards at his heels, a code black was called which basically shut the whole emergency ward down. They chased him outside and assaulted him, breaking a tooth, to get him back to his bed.
He was sedated twice with neither of them working, when I finally got into see him he was furious, it broke my heart to see this mild mannered man being treated this way.
I was only allowed 5 minutes with him and then he was taken to another hospital over an hour from us to be put into their mental health ward. The next day I went into see him and he blamed me for the whole thing, he told me that the hospital had told him I said he was suicidal, which couldn't be further from the truth.
The hospital banned me from seeing him or even talking on the phone for 3 days, one of the longest 3 days of my life.
When I finally got to see him he fell into my arms begging for forgiveness, we both cried buckets.
I contacted lawyers and no one would take on our case, he didn't need to be there, all he wanted was some anti-depressants but got treated like a criminal. We did get to see the hospitals liason officer but they work for the hospital so of course we didn't get anywhere with them.
Finally after 10 long days he was released with a bucket load of anti-depressants and sleeping pills.
The hospital did nothing for him, they just gave him a bad case of PTSD which follows him today, last year when I was in hospital on many occasions he would be physically sick when he had to come to visit me so we made his visits short and sweet. Today we live a nice quiet life, neither of us drink anymore and we enjoy spending every evening together watching tv or playing games..

Sorry for the novel.
Click to expand...
Don't be sorry for making such a clear case about mistreatment of your husband, others may find it helpful in seeing it's not them but the system that has let them down. Thank you for sharing.
It's good that you can now enjoy your time together doing what works for you both.
 
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mylittletibbies said:
My God, what a terrible experience. You have my sympathies.
I don't feel like I suffer from PTSD but I get constant flashbacks and dreams after my husband choked to death in front of me and my daughter about a year ago. despite my best efforts to save him.
I know I did the best I could but the situation was compounded recently when I received a phone call from one of my stepdaughters blaming me for my husband's death as in her opinion I should have taken better care of him.

This whole episode has now had a very bad effect on my intellectually disabled daughter who is terrified that something will happen to me.
You never know when you wake in the morning what that day is going to bring.
Click to expand...
I'd be cutting her out of my life too, you don't need that crap to deal with especially if it's affecting your daughter.
You live your life to the fullest and let the stepdaughter piss off with her opinions!
 
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DLHM said:
@mylittletibbies, I would cut the stepdaughter out of my life completely. You don’t need that stress in your life.

It’s a fulfilling feeling to know one’s done their very best and have no regrets. Focus on the positives. Best not to allow that selfish, thoughtless person impact your life.

Best wishes to you and your daughter. ❤️❤️
Click to expand...
Thank you, that is exactly what I have done.
She hardly ever contacted us unless she wanted something. I paid her airfare over for the funeral, drove 3 hours to pick her up and again to return her to the airport. Two other stepdaughters didn't even make any effort to even come.
I really don't need them in my life.
 
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