Big Bang Theory
“I hate getting flashbacks from things I don’t want to remember” ~Unknown
According to popular scientific understanding, our universe sprang into existence as "singularity" around 13.7 billion years ago. There was a moment when the universe wasn’t and then it was…and it is still expanding outwards towards the edge of who knows where. There was a moment that changed the physical universe and no one quite knows or really understands, all we have is the now and the distant clues to help us understand. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has its own “Big Bang” effect on people as PSTD is the result of a sudden traumatic experience that can change our mental landscape. These traumatic experiences cover a wide range of experiences from combat operations for members of the armed services, a car accident, witnessing a death of a friend or loved one, sexual assault, and many other sharp experiences that leave us deeply and forever changed.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was first recognized as a diagnostic category in the 1980 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM III) and initially was created to describe the dramatically altered functioning of traumatized American soldiers who had served in combat zones. During the First World War, PTSD was referred to as Shell Shock, during WW II it was referred to a Battle Fatigue, it wasn’t until the Vietnam War it was first called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The strain of service is also felt beyond the bounds of the military, PTSD cases are also extremely high among those who serve our community in the capacity of police officers, fire/rescue departments, and emergency ambulance squads (EMT’s) as they are at the sharp end of responding to many tragic and traumatic events that occur in our communities every day. Symptoms of PSTD may include flashbacks of the event, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about reliving the event and this all leads to loss of sleep and feelings of withdrawal and isolation.
When I first started to write this piece today, I was under the misconception that the bulk of people who suffer from PTSD originate from the armed services. As the data shows however, PTSD effects those from all walks of life. When looking at the data, I was surprised by the fact that women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with PTSD as men but then taking into account the different forms trauma takes, it all sadly makes sense. According to PTSDUnited.org, roughly 70% of the US adult population has experienced some form of traumatic experience in their life (about 223 million Americans) and of that number, about 20% are likely to develop PTSD (about 44 million Americans). On any given day here in the United States, 25 million Americans are actively suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, that’s a staggering 8% or 1 out of every 12 people suffer from this illness every day.
The hardest part about all of this is that in order to receive help, people who suffer from PTSD must be willing to talk about the events that have traumatized them. Mental health counseling with professionals who know how to help patients navigate the stormy seas of their minds can help bring people into a safe harbor where they may find peace from their personal storm. There are people all around us who are fearful and struggling with the traumatic events of their past but in order to try and feel like a regular person, they try and hide it all behind a facade of normalcy. As you move forward into the holiday weekend celebrating the 4th of July, think on the lingering aftereffects of those who have served our country as well as the men and women who serve our communities. So, Happy 240th Birthday America, I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend surrounded by friends and family! Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com