Dr. Gupta speaks candidly on PTSD

soundoff (10 Responses)

1. Mike McNeeley
   

   -If anyone is aware of good PTSD treatment centres in Vancouver,could you please let me know.

   Thank You
   Mike

   July 2, 2009 at 6:24 pm |
2. Dutch Douglas Schellinkhout
   

   I was involved in the Military Actions in SE Asia many decades ago and the frighting facts of PTSD are still emerging daily! The Veterans Administration is doing it's best to deal with me and hundreds of thousands of combat veterans who didn't have a clue as to why we 'acted out' in so many ways. I remember only a fraction of what I experienced in combat, which is great, but my inner soul knows that I (the war machine) committed so many atrocities that my conscience is always in the front of my mind. It doesn't even go away with the handful of medication I take both day and night. I do go to weekly PTSD classes that give me tools to deal with Hypervigilance, Intrusive Experiences, Avoidance, Numbing, Anger just to name a few. I am trying and I am blest with the help that I am getting, but there are so many others that have no clue as to why they are drug dependent or alcoholics. The need to be addressed.

   June 9, 2009 at 1:27 pm |
3. Kim Lindquist
   

   I think everyone suffers from some form or reaction of PTSD if they have incurred a major, life altering stressful event in their lives. By the time most people reach 30 they could probably fall into this category some many years before. When another stressful life event occurs this can trigger that physiological reaction (anxiety, depression, fear, insomnia, sweats, nausea, introverted behaviors...) If you have received counseling and for many people who have needed the meds as well you "learn" that you must stop and train this thought process before it throws you into another spiral. This can take a long time and/or many events for which each one either makes you stronger or takes you down. Do whatever it takes to keep going...see your physician, rest, get medications, go to support groups, attend church, share with friends....PTSD is real I have absolutely no doubt. Some people deal with it in other anti-social ways acting out criminal behaviors, even sociopathic episodes. You can even relay most psychopath or sociopath serial killers or rapists to people responding to episodes of great stress. That stress brings on a PTSD behavior and remembrance of a past event and in order to "CONTROL" their response they need to CONTROL everything. We have always known the effects stress has on our physical well being it's about time we took great steps to learn and help those with severe stress response.

   June 8, 2009 at 11:24 am |
4. Richard in Vancouver
   

   Ive been fortunate to have access to one of the only public funded clinics for treatment of PTSD in Vancouver Canada. There is a 3 year wait list but my PTSD was so bad I was able to get in after a 6 month wait. It is an intensive program that runs for almost 2 years in lenght or more if you consider the after program support groups. My PTSD will never go away but it is now manageable. The best part of this program has been the ability to analyze my own thought processes as im triggered. This in turn helps me go lessen the effects of the lympic storms that are so overwhelming in nature. For Janet all I can say is to have friends and family help you continue with your life. To Kathy, yes my therapy was almost worse than the PTSD but it is more than worth it in the long run, I had no idea of what was happening to me and therapy was critical in identifying my thought patterns and this demystifyied what was happening to me. I started the program without medication and was almost overwhelmed by the experince and now regret not being on medication sooner. Find a real professional and listen to their advice. Good luck to everyone.

   May 28, 2009 at 5:36 pm |
5. Dan Bishop
   

   We need to train people to look forward instead of backward. Americans are obsessed with the past, something we can do nothing about really. We need to learn to make better choices. We cannot do anything we choose just because we are the most powerful nation on earth.

   May 28, 2009 at 1:03 pm |
6. Daniel
   

   As a psychologist treating combat veterans with PTSD within the VA system, I can state that there are effective psychotherapeutic treatments for PTSD. More than 10 randomized, controlled clinical trials have found these therapies to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and, in many cases, eliminating the disorder. These treatments have also been shown to lead to maintanence of symptom reductions for at least 5 years post-treatment. Many people are unaware of these relatively new treatments based on good scientific data. I highly recommend the National Center for PTSD (www.ncptsd.va.gov) for further information about these treatments, which include "Cognitive Processing Therapy" and "Prolonged Exposure Therapy".

   May 21, 2009 at 3:17 pm |
7. Mrs. Eileen Curras widow to Hernandez (WWII)
   

   PTSD has never received the attention that it needs. I guess it has to happen to famous people. The sad is that the arm forces should be ready for this kind field. I guess Sir the next time you go or anyone from the field of the Media will have to make sure your contract address this needs. You had made a mistake on your own. Arm Forces Personnel do not have a choice. They sign for service of years and the system address their choice to service the need as in Vietnam, and many other situations. Sounds and smells bring on panic attacks but PTSD does not receive proper attention. I am sorry for PTSD patients. I guess you are a victim of circumstances. Thank God this did not happen on the Bush Administration. You might have a way to address the topic with the highest officer in the country. Change of medication might help therapy might help but sensibility and consciousness has to change.

   May 21, 2009 at 9:23 am |
8. kathy
   

   Almost sounds like it isnt worth going through the hell of therapy. I have chronic C-PTSD, and had hoped all this work would eventually pay off with a lessening of symptoms , a decent nights sleep, and control over my triggers.... and yes, smells are the biggest, sneakiest of them. Insidious.

   May 21, 2009 at 9:13 am |
9. Janet
   

   My PTSD has never gone away. I suffer from immobilizing depression. Sounds and smells bring on panic attacks. I have nightmares and haven't slept well since several acts of trauma. I am on meds, changed throughout the years, have had therapy. What else can I do?

   May 21, 2009 at 7:24 am |
10. Patrick Hayes
    

    Smells are expressways to reliving ptsd trauma.
    Perhaps more than any other of our senses.

    I'll wager you smelled the Marine's cover,
    and that's what took you back to Iraq.

    May 18, 2009 at 8:19 am |