PTSD in history, other cultures
The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as "an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more terrifying events in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened". What I would like to find out is the relationship between culture, the nature of modern war, and PTSD, if there is a significant relationship at all.
(1) Is PTSD prevalent in other cultures/countries? Is it a major issue primarily in industrialized countries, or is it present in all cultures engaged in conflict? Russia has a serious problem managing PTSD among combat veterans returning from Chechnya, but this would seem to indicate that PTSD is a consequence of industrialized war.
(2) Are there historical references to PTSD in history prior to modern warfare? How was it perceived and managed? Was it particular to certain cultures or present throughout the history of war? The Iliad makes a reference to what appears to be PTSD -- Ajax loses a duel, comes under a "spell" from Athena, slaughters a herd of sheep thinking they are the enemy, and then kills himself. Is this an ancient reference to PTSD? If so, it would seem, so far, that PTSD is a product of Western culture.
(3) If PTSD is particular to a certain cultural arch-type or form of warfare, is it therefore a product of social construction?
(4) If it's a social construct, would PTSD treatment be more effective by addressing the underlying cultural variables rather than specific individuals (not to say, of course, that those individuals suffering from it should be refused treatment on a case-by-case basis).
do these jeans make me look crazy?
:D, though I think I recall LTC(R) Grossman saying something about SOF guys being sociopaths....but sociopaths in a good, sheepdog-like way.
All us Sheepdogs need love...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Vic Bout
:D, though I think I recall LTC(R) Grossman saying something about SOF guys being sociopaths....but sociopaths in a good, sheepdog-like way.
After all, we can't really bark; we gotta bite to get the point across to the wolves... ;)
Your point is valid, I believe.
In my observation, the quantity and quality of training do favorably affect the number of PTSD cases by driving that number down.
However, I've noticed that it is impossible to predict what event will send even the strongest will around the bend. I've seen people blow off mind numbing events and seen a crying child send an old experienced soldier into la-la land. No way to tell what will be the proverbial straw...
That 30-40% figure also tracks with my observation over the years. I believe that figure is telling. If about that percentage have Sociopathic tendencies (and I suggest they do), they're unlikely to get combat related PTSD; stands to reason that an approximately equal percentage have the reverse of Sociopathy and are therefor going to be highly prone to develop PTSD.
Psychological selection for combat suitability should be viable -- if not right now, then soon...
Pretty similar *. The problem is that the raw
numbers can lead you astray. How many were in Theater; how many elsewhere in the world. How many in CONUS. Any combat tours? If so, how many? Where? What was the catalyst? Spousal problems? Money problems? Stress? Combat stress or other stress? How many male? How many Female?
IIRC, the current rate is still lower than the 19-25 non-military demographic in the US for males but higher for females. I also seem to recall reading somewhere that the in theater rate was lower than anyone expected and the majority were not in the two theaters.
Without detailed info, the raw number is borderline meaningless. The fact that it's the highest in 20 years is at least partly due to the fact that as a result of the surge the active duty end strength is higher than it has been in 20 years...
* That similarity is from memory (and I'm old, so it may be flaky). Not an issue to me but Google may be able to provide definitive numbers of a sort.
Ben Shephard's A War of Nerves
I have to be honest and say that I've not read it, but Roger Spiller, formerly a Prof at CGSC, thinks very highly of Ben Shephard's "A War of Nerves" Harvard Univ Press, 2001. Shephard focuses on 20th century soldiers so the book runs the gamut from WWI to the Faulklands and includes WWII Army Air Forces. Shephard "writes widely on psychiatry and its history," according to the book blurb.
Ben
"Reluctant Warriors" - IDF
An interesting account of the after effects of battle is found in: "Reluctant Warriors - Israelis Suspended Between Rome and Jersualem" by Nathan Szajnberg (can be found on Amazon.Com). Dr. Szajnberg studed kibbutzniks enrolled in elite combat units of the IDF. The study focused on, "How do these citizen soldiers, residents in a democratic society, manage to be effective soldiers, yet maintain their humanity as men? How did their transitions from adolescence to young adulthood influence their inner lives, their views of life and the tense, tangled world in which they lived." The author, a psychoanalyst by profession, conducted a series of interviews during over two dozen trips during the Intifada.