“The problem was that in the end, the Army did not know what to do with this soldier.” The Army should have checked his nutritional status. Please consider the following thoughts below. I am not a doctor, just someone who picks up facts and ideas. Ask your doctor what he thinks about the thesis below. For the purposes of this discussion I do not mean to equate PTSD with mental illness, but the treatment for both whether one equates them or not, can probably be benefited greatly by considering the following.
The thesis: It is likely that some degree of healing of PTSD can be gained with nutritional supplementation, and it might be surprising just how much of a degree.
In developing the first point of support for this thesis, consider that it would seem logical that one of the effects of stress is the reduction of a body’s supplies of hormones, enzymes, etc., and the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements necessary for health, both mental and physical. It seems logical, too, that this would particularly be the case for the types of stress endured in military service in Iraq or Afghanistan. Stress burns up and reduces hormone, enzyme, and nutrient supplies, and these stress-induced shortages are part of what leads up to and maintains PTSD.
It’s not just during the time of the stress, it can be afterward, too, an ongoing thing as unpleasant memories return or stimuli trigger learned responses and fight or flight readiness.
Everyone knows about vitamins, some about minerals, not so much about trace minerals. Trace minerals are needed in tiny, trace quantities. Too much can cause problems, just like too little.
I don’t know for sure, but would guess that things trace elements are used as catalysts in the body in cells and tissues and glands and organs, to produce important enzymes and hormones. Not enough of them, and you suffer some loss of health. Probably the using up of the body’s supplies of just a few trace minerals ends up causing shortages of mental health hormones. Just read through the charts and lists of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements and the kinds of symptoms and diseases you can get if short on them, or in some cases too much of them. This is where a nutritionist’s advice, along with a doctor’s is necessary before supplementing.
Second point, medical science has been negligent on the subject of nutrition. Think about this, have you ever heard any PTSD news articles addressing this nutritional aspect? The facts seem to be that the vast majority of MD’s, including psychiatrists, are trained in the use of drugs, not nutrition. Just check out any medical school curricula. Typically, there is not one class in nutrition. A retired psychiatrist once told me that in all his years of schooling, there was one lecture in nutrition. Approximately a 50 minute lecture in several years of education and training. So, consider that “doctors” including “psychiatrists” may be missing a big piece of the picture regarding PTSD treatment, and thus, their toolboxes are missing an important tool.
Third point, to get it, you will have to research the subject of nutrition and mental health. If you want to speed it up, read the article, “Vitamin Cure?”, found in the May 2005 issue of Discover magazine, and also available at http://www.truehope.com/truehope_bipolar_disorder_press_article_1.aspx and then research further as you think necessary.
This article is a treasure trove of information concerning mental health, and nutrition. Read and consider the information it contains. This is really the summation and final point of this article, right here, this magazine article. Read it, and you get the point of this essay about PTSD and the nutritional aspect of treating it. There are many aspects to be sure, but this is an important one.
Why might some soldiers get PTSD and others not, and some worse than others? There are of course many factors, but DIFFERENCES IN GENETICS THAT DETERMINE the assimilation and use of nutrition from food, is clearly one. And one that so far as I have seen, nobody is addressing.
Just like some people have longer lungs and thus better running ability than other people, it is also true that some people have better nutritional abiity, determined by genetics, than others. Two soldiers can eat the same food, and one come up short on one or more vitamins, minerals, or trace elements. And, sheesh, if it’s gamma-irradiated, keep-for-years on the shelf MRE’s they are both eating!!??
And if someone does address the issue of nutrition and mental health, don’t let them tell you that if you just eat a good well balanced meal, you will get the nutrition you need. It is hard to get good nutrition in the world today.
Soils are not managed for trace mineral content, just the major nutrients of nitrogen, phosporus, potassium, calcium, mangnesium, and sulfur, and for some crops born and molybdenum. In the push for increasing yields, the agricultural universities have not done much research in trace minerals. Research done all the way back in the 1930’s, showed soils to be deficient back then. If the soil is deficient, the plants will be, and their produce will be, and so will be the animals, and the people who eat the produce and animals. For an interesting read, check out the book, “Organic Gardening”, published by Rodale Press, back in the late 1950’s.
This book contains the WWII story of Navy dentists studying dental caries incidence in recruits. They made a map of incidence rate. It turned out to correspond with a soil map of the nation! Most food at that time was grown relatively close to where people lived.
The further east and south one goes, the more annual rainfall there is. The more rainfall, the more leaching of minerals out of the upper layers of soil and down to the lower layers and out of the plant rooting zone. The further east and south one goes, the more weathered the soils, the less their mineral holding capacity, and the less their mineral content, and the quicker they are depleted of minerals, the lower the mineral content of the food, and thus, the higher the rate of cavities in sailors in the 1940’s. This is just one interesting thing found in one of the chapters on soils and disease.
This book also talks about how vegetables grown in well balanced soils with healthy microbe populations, fertilized with well balanced compost, have higher levels of vitamins and minerals, than vegetables grown in chemically fertilized and less cared for soil. This was already known in the late 1950’s!
Today, in addition to the problem of mineral and trace element deficiencies in soil, there is a problem with hybridized varieties of crops.
Apparently, in the process of crop breeding to seek out desired characteristics like high yield, corn plants with ears at the right height for machine harvesting, resistance to a particular disease, etc., scientists have accidentally bred other things out! Important things, LIKE THE ABILITY TO PULL TRACE MINERALS OUT OF THE SOIL, both in field tests, and in greenhouse trials where the soil was fertilized with trace minerals. The magazine Small Farm Today, once had an article in the column, “The Road Less Traveled”, which talked about research in this field. One researcher said the the hybrid varieties of corn had several times less trace mineral content in the corn grains than non-hybrid corn, and some in the greenhouse trials had none. Livestock will choose non-hybrid corn grain when offered a choice. Varieties of wheat grown early in our country’s history, had as high as 15% protein content. Bread used to be a protein source!
Well, it’s late and this two-bit discourse has to come to a summary short end. The point is, nutrition should very probably be considered as an important part of dealing with stress and PTSD. It is something I sure would consider.
FAQs
Why is it so hard to get a PTSD diagnosis? ›
The diagnosis of PTSD may be difficult to make for many reasons. Patients may not recognize the link between their symptoms and an experienced traumatic event; patients may be unwilling to disclose the event; or the presentation may be obscured by depression, substance abuse, or other comorbidities.
How do you get out of a trauma response? ›- Learn about trauma and PTSD. ...
- Talk to others for support. ...
- Practice relaxation methods. ...
- Distract yourself with positive activities. ...
- Talking to your doctor or a counselor about trauma and PTSD. ...
- Unwanted distressing memories, images, or thoughts. ...
- Sudden feelings of anxiety or panic.
- Get to know your triggers add. You might find that certain experiences, situations or people seem to trigger flashbacks or other symptoms. ...
- Confide in someone add. ...
- Give yourself time add. ...
- Try peer support add. ...
- Find specialist support add. ...
- Look after your physical health add.
Yes, living a healthy life with PTSD is possible. A person struggling with PTSD should seek out a treatment plan that will work for them to get them on track to managing their PTSD.
How hard is it to get 100% PTSD? ›A 100% PTSD rating is often difficult to obtain through VA because it requires a veteran's symptoms to be so severe that he or she is totally impaired and unable to function in every day life. While the symptoms listed in the 70% rating criteria involve a high level of impairment, the jump to 100% remains significant.
How do you prove you have PTSD? ›- At least one re-experiencing symptom.
- At least one avoidance symptom.
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms.
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms.
If you often feel as though your life has become unmanageable, this could be a sign that you have some unresolved emotional trauma. Emotional overreactions are a common symptom of trauma. A victim of trauma might redirect their overwhelming emotions towards others, such as family and friends.
Can you be stuck in a trauma response? ›Feeling stuck in the past may suggest you're experiencing what we call traumatic stress symptoms. Most people who go through traumatic events have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and support, they usually recover naturally.
How does PTSD respond to triggers? ›If someone has PTSD, it may cause changes in their thinking and mood. They may suffer from recurrent, intrusive memories. Upsetting dreams, flashbacks, negative thoughts, and hopelessness are also common. Experiencing PTSD triggers may cause the symptoms to become worse or reoccur frequently.
Why do people with PTSD push you away? ›If you find that your loved one is pushing you away when you try to communicate with them or show support, it may be because those experiencing PTSD often: Find it difficult to regulate emotions. Distance/isolate themselves from others. Experience intimacy challenges.
Can yelling trigger PTSD? ›
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Being subjected to constant yelling and verbal abuse can cause symptoms of PTSD. Symptoms can include insomnia, feeling the need to be on guard, getting easily startled and displaying self-destructive behavior.
What does a PTSD episode look like? ›vivid flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening right now) intrusive thoughts or images. nightmares. intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma.
What medication is best for PTSD? ›- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
In time, most are able to resume their prior level of closeness in relationships. Yet the 5% to 10% of survivors who develop PTSD may have lasting relationship problems. Survivors with PTSD may feel distant from others and feel numb. They may have less interest in social or sexual activities.
Can someone with PTSD fall in love? ›Yes, a man with PTSD can fall in love and be in a relationship. PTSD does present its own set of challenges, such as the man feeling like he is unlovable, but if two dedicated partners work hard enough, they can conquer those emotions.
What is the hardest part of PTSD? ›- PTSD Symptom #1: Panic or Anxiety Attacks.
- PTSD Symptom #2: Hypervigilance (Feeling on Edge)
- PTSD Symptom #3: Avoidance of People and Places.
- PTSD Symptom #4: Nightmares or Other Sleep Issues.
- PTSD Symptom #5: Intrusive Memories or Flashbacks.
Can a 100 percent Disabled Veteran Work and Earn an Income? Veterans that Receive 100% Schedular Ratings have NO Limitations on Their Ability to Work. Veterans are rated for their VA Disability based on a set of tables known as the VA “Schedule of Ratings”.
What is the highest disability rating for PTSD? ›Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for PTSD
VA disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, but for PTSD claims, the standard ratings are 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. These ratings are meant to capture the severity of your condition, and how much it affects your ability to work and take care of everyday life stuff.
Dr.
For physical health problems, this could include labs (like bloodwork), tests (like an x-ray, scan or biopsy) or a physical exam. For PTSD, an assessment includes answering questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. PTSD is most often diagnosed, or confirmed, by a mental health provider.
While individuals with PTSD don't need to disclose their diagnosis to anyone and everyone, it's important not to keep the condition from loved ones. After all, your loved ones are likely to see the symptoms of the disorder and how they affect you.
How does a person with PTSD act? ›
People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people.
How do you know you are still traumatized? ›Suffering from severe fear, anxiety, or depression. Unable to form close, satisfying relationships. Experiencing terrifying memories, nightmares, or flashbacks. Avoiding more and more anything that reminds you of the trauma.
How can I tell if I'm traumatized? ›Intrusive memories
Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event. Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks) Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event. Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
If you have or are experiencing any of the following, you may have unresolved trauma: unexplainable anger. flashbacks or reoccurring memories. sleeplessness.
What are trauma loops? ›Simply put, when a person experiences something traumatic, adrenalin and other neurochemicals rush to the brain and print a picture there. The traumatic memory loops in the emotional side of the brain, disconnecting from the part of the brain that conducts reasoning and cognitive processing.
What is somatic shaking? ›When you do a somatic (body-based) shaking practice, you allow your body to return to safety by releasing the energy of fear that is present within you when you face a life threat. A great time to do the practice is when you notice tension and tightness in your body and still feel really connected and present.
What happens when trauma is not released? ›Untreated past trauma can have a big impact on your future health. The emotional and physical reactions it triggers can make you more prone to serious health conditions including heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, according to Harvard Medical School research.
What is PTSD dissociation? ›Dissociation is a state of mind that occurs when someone separates themselves from their emotions, and is a common trauma defense mechanism in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dissociation can feel like an out-of-body experience or like disconnection from the world around you.
What not to do with someone who has PTSD? ›- Give easy answers or blithely tell your loved one everything is going to be okay.
- Stop your loved one from talking about their feelings or fears.
- Offer unsolicited advice or tell your loved one what they “should” do.
- Blame all of your relationship or family problems on your loved one's PTSD.
Animal meats, hydrogenated oils, and many of the chemicals and preservatives in processed foods all have inflammatory qualities. Take these steps to improve your mind and body health: Eat probiotics, in fermented foods (sauerkraut, pickles) yogurt and kefir for gut health.
How many months does it take to get diagnosed with PTSD? ›
Symptoms of PTSD usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic event, but they sometimes emerge later. To meet the criteria for PTSD, a person must have symptoms for longer than 1 month, and the symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with aspects of daily life, such as relationships or work.
Is it hard to get a PTSD rating? ›A 100 percent PTSD rating is often difficult to obtain from VA because it requires a veteran's symptoms to be so severe that they are totally impaired and unable to function in everyday life.
What happens if PTSD goes undiagnosed? ›Psychological effects of untreated PTSD
Without treatment, the psychological symptoms of PTSD are likely to worsen over time. Along with severe depression and anxiety, other serious outcomes may include: Increased suicidal ideation. Problems managing anger and aggression.
Even if your PTSD doesn't meet all the criteria, applying may still be worth it if your PTSD interferes with your ability to work. The reality is that qualifying for disability is difficult even if you have been struggling to maintain your job. Only 20% of applicants get approved on their initial application.
What three criteria must be met to confirm the diagnosis of PTSD? ›To receive a diagnosis of PTSD, a person must have at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least three avoidance symptoms, at least two negative alterations in mood and cognition, and at least two hyperarousal symptoms for a minimum of one month.
Does PTSD ever go away completely? ›So, does PTSD ever go away? No, but with effective evidence-based treatment, symptoms can be managed well and can remain dormant for years, even decades. But because the trauma that evokes the symptoms will never go away, there is a possibility for those symptoms to be “triggered” again in the future.
How much money do you get for PTSD disability? ›Depending on the severity, a veteran's diagnosis of PTSD is eligible for VA disability rating of 100% ($3,621.95/month), 70% ($1,663.06/month), 50% ($1,041.82/month), 30% ($508.05/month), 10% ($165.92/month), or 0% (no payment).
What do you say at a PTSD exam? ›Be honest about your PTSD symptoms, even embarrassing ones; Provide as much detail about your PTSD symptoms as possible; Take time to consider each question before providing an answer; and. Describe specific instances where your PTSD symptoms affected your daily life.
How do I go from 50% to 70% PTSD rating? ›Anecdotally, we believe 50% is the most common rating VA assigns for PTSD with emphasis on relationship issues and panic attacks. In order to get 70%, there has to be evidence of SIGNIFICANT issues with PTSD symptoms affecting most areas of your life.
What is PTSD most commonly misdiagnosed as? ›Misdiagnosis with BPD
Some of the symptoms of complex PTSD are very similar to those of borderline personality disorder (BPD), and not all professionals are aware of complex PTSD. As a result, some people are given a diagnosis of BPD or another personality disorder when complex PTSD fits their experiences more closely.
Can a doctor tell if you have PTSD? ›
Dr.
For physical health problems, this could include labs (like bloodwork), tests (like an x-ray, scan or biopsy) or a physical exam. For PTSD, an assessment includes answering questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. PTSD is most often diagnosed, or confirmed, by a mental health provider.
People can have PTSD even though they do not recall the experience that triggered the problem. As a result, such people may live with PTSD for years without realizing it.
At what point is PTSD a disability? ›Simply having PTSD does mean that you are considered disabled, but if the symptoms of PTSD are so severe that they affect your ability to function in society or in the workplace, then this would be considered a disability.
What benefits do people with PTSD get? ›Workers who have PTSD could pursue benefits through their employer's workers' compensation insurance or Social Security disability. If you meet the specific requirements, you could collect the benefit payments you need to pay for medical treatment and supplement your lost wages.
Is PTSD considered a permanent disability? ›Yes, PTSD is considered a permanent VA disability. The Department of Veteran Affairs recognizes post-traumatic stress disorder as a serious, life-altering mental condition and will award disability benefits to qualified veterans suffering from PTSD.