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Flame » in reply to re: But PTSD isn't real.

PTSD and TBI
Robert — (archived)

Thanks for joining in, Jerry. As I alluded above, I've lately had the opportunity to watch presentations about the latest PTSD and TBI research, in the course of setting up web conferences on the subject. I'm a complete layman, or maybe dilettante is a better word...but given that, what I see looks like a more hard-headed and clinical diagnostic methodology developing. There's evidence of biochemical factors, such as cortisol levels. There's more awareness of delayed onset, up to six months after a traumatic incident, and I would expect that to reduce the wiggle room that, on the one hand, lets the VA downgrade the diagnosis to the less-expensive "adjustment problems" category; and on the other, to shade the diagnosis into something that might reflect badly on the patient (e.g. to use to "help discredit the anti-war movement"). Researchers are pursuing different lines of treatment, such as biofeedback.

So I would say (from a layman's position) that "today's PTSD" has firmer foundations than the PTSD you describe as "a different reality than that ascribed to it by positivist social/psychological science". Part of that may be due to the presence of TBI in the mix, perhaps because physical damage is relatively easier to quantify and prove than purely psychological disorders. Stepping back, it's a shame that treatment of veterans has taken on such a strong political dimension; it should be necessary to think strategically about how to make a stronger case; but that seems to be where we are.

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