History of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, has a long and interesting history. While it most commonly effects soldiers who experienced combat situations, it can also appear in people who have experienced extremely stressful situations in civilian life.

Official recognition of PTSD

Since humans have endured stressful situations for thousands of years, it is likely that PTSD has existed for a very long time. However, PTSD gained official recognition by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980. Since that time, the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders has included a listing. Prior to that, sources show evidence of what modern physicians call PTSD. Primary sources frequently refer to it as battle fatigue, shell shock, combat fatigue and, after the American Civil War, soldier's heart. Based on contemporary descriptions of these ailments, experts believe they all refer to PTSD.

PTSD today

Popular culture and the medical community mostly ignored PTSD until after the Vietnam war. Now, it is believed that somewhere between seven and eight percent of the population as a whole suffer from PTSD. Rape victims are especially susceptible, with up to 30 percent of them developing PTSD at some point. Returning combat veterans also develop PTSD at a higher rate than the whole population at a rate of about one in six. Because of its official recognition, PTSD is diagnosable and help is available for those living with the disorder.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has existed for centuries, but has only seen official recognition within the past few decades. It is a clearly diagnosable ailment that can occur in both soldiers and civilians.