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HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
7. Yes, but maybe not...
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 09:36 PM
Jul 2013

Shell shock was related to trench warfare. Battle fatigue was about too many days exposed to combat. Both were about illness with onsets in -active- duty soldiers.

As I understand the history, PTSD as a distinct diagnosis originated with female fire victims. Similar problems were later recognized in victims of accidents and violent crime and ultimately the connection to combat was made...and it became an iconic mental illness associated with Vietnam veterans.

PTSD diagnoses have centered around reactions to -single- traumatic events...consequently, battle fatigue doesn't really fit that as it implies a consequence of longer term exposure. It's also unclear whether shell shock related only to being on the receiving end of a single artillery bombardment.

One of the diagnostic features of PTSD has been its onset within a limited number of weeks after the single traumatic event that triggers it. Consequently, similar problems which emerge much later aren't really what has been considered PTSD.

Currently there is now 'complex' PTSD aka cPTSD which relates to prolonged exposures to trauma and which, consequently, encompasses things such as prolonged abuse and traumatic neglect. The psycho-social dysfunction of cPTSD, doesn't necessarily have onsets within short periods of time after the initial traumatic event.

Several other illnesses with triggers in life changing ambient events have also been proposed as related to post-event resolution of events that are traumatically life-changing.

So, yes, PTSD, at least in popular understanding, has been associated with a number of other names for generally similar but actually discernibly different etiologies.

on edit, it's also now proposed that PTSD symptoms don't have to follow an in person exposure to a traumatic event, vicarious exposures through the media may be sufficient



Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Mental Health Information»Heroes of Uncertainty»Reply #7