"When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." -Alexander Don Heijer

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is more than a sum of its symptoms. Often there is a Moral Injury, Cognitive Dissonance, or an element of our foundation of understanding and relating to the world being shattered. You can witness a traumatic event and not be traumatized. The Disorder we understand is likely a result of our world collapsing because of what we witness, and having to go through the stages of grief and reconciliation, and relearn how we interact with the world. Cannabis does not offer that. It offers symptomatic relief. Which is great. But not a replacement for services and treatment. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/moral_injury.asp

PTSD originated was after the Vietnam War ended, and we were seeing an influx of Veterans presenting with intense post-war trauma. PTSD had existed before, under different names (like ‘Shellshock’). I have a theory that the PTSD of Vietnam Veterans was particularly more violent and angry. It was a different type of battle trauma involving cognitive dissonance and betrayal rage at the American Government and Military for sending many to die in a war that had no moral justification and mass civilian casualties. Call it the Vietnam Hypothesis. We have evidence to support that the PTSD reports of World War I was drastically different than that of the Vietnam War.

We don’t even have to have been there. Traumatic Stress Disorders are capable of transcending time and location. With the existence of ‘Ongoing’, ‘Persistent’, and ‘Pre’ trauma-based conditions.

Pre-TSD

You can be traumatized by an event that hasn’t even happened: Sentenced for execution Drafted for war Your family getting eviction notices Elections Studying Climate Science With Pre-TSD someone might get flash-forwards instead of flashbacks to how bad it is going to get. Traumatic Stress Disorders are not always time-linear!! Trauma can transcend time.

Dr Joy Degruy Leary has coined the term ‘Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome’ about the African American experience is it’s own subtype of PTSD. After this presentation, I encourage you to check out an interview with AJ+(6min), broadcasted lecture(82min),and support her life’s work and website..

If you want to expand how you understand trauma, I highly encourage watching or reading Dr. Joy Degruy Leary’s Post Traumatic Slave Disorder. That link goes to a free and publicly available lecture on YouTube. She’s outstanding. I promise it’s worth the hour and twenty minutes, you will learn so much. Or if you only have a few minutes, here is Dr. Joy’s six minute interview with AJ+. Joy Degruy Leary, & Robinson, R. (2018). Post traumatic slave syndrome : America’s legacy of enduring injury and healing. Joy Degruy Publications Inc. https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome (please take the opportunity to view an awesomely made and accessible business website, and consider supporting Dr. Joy’s work.)

Is "Post-Traumatic" a misnomer? The traditional understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often follows a linear timeline, assuming trauma occurs, then symptoms follow. However, trauma isn't always so straightforward. This linear view significantly affects our research and understanding.

The term "post" implies the event is over, but for many, trauma is ongoing. Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and trust issues can persist for years after a traumatic event. This has led to the proposal of terms like "Ongoing" or "Complex" PTSD to better capture the experience of recurring trauma.

Furthermore, "Pre-TSD" suggests that individuals anticipating a traumatic event, such as a life-threatening illness or war zone deployment, might experience PTSD symptoms beforehand. These evolving terms reflect a shift towards acknowledging trauma's complexity and long-lasting impacts.

Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary's work on Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome highlights intergenerational trauma and its relevance to Black American history. Her insights underscore the importance of considering broader historical and societal contexts in trauma studies. Explore her work through her lecture on YouTube or a brief interview on AJ+. 

Post Traumatic Slave Disorder. 

Dr. Joy’s six minute interview with AJ+.

https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome

In any field, especially Medicine and Human Services, understanding trauma is crucial. Human error can lead to serious consequences. Professionals have a duty to minimize harm, which goes beyond following standard procedures. A process of inquiry is essential for finding the best solutions for clients. Awareness and up-to-date knowledge of trauma's complexities are vital for responsible practice.

https://psychcentral.com/ptsd/types-of-ptsd

  • Skinner R, Kaplick PM. Cultural shift in mental illness: a comparison of stress responses in World War I and the Vietnam War. JRSM Open. 2017 Dec 4;8(12):2054270417746061. doi: 10.1177/2054270417746061. PMID: 29230306; PMCID: PMC5718313. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5718313/