Can PTSD be cured?

I experienced PTSD following a traumatic birth experience. For months afterword I had flashbacks, insomnia with rumination and severe bonding problems with the baby. My friends and family chalked it up to postpartum depression, but it was far more severe. I never had thoughts of harming the baby, but I desperately wanted to get away from her, and at times thought of harming myself or running away. I truly believe this is an understudied area of psychological trauma. After all, "you should be grateful", or "It's just baby blues" was all the advice I would get.

When I got pregnant a second time, it all came flooding back, even worse than before because I feared having a similar birth experience again. (After all, what other experience did I have to go on?) A friend recommended prenatal hypnosis, which dramatically reduced the anxiety, and the nightmares stopped. Not only that, but I sought different care providers, and a different hospital – anything to avoid the same circumstances I was in before. The second birth experience was what I would call "healing". There was no trauma at all. It was amazing. I had no issues at all bonding with the second baby.

It wasn't until I was in therapy several years after the fact that the real reason I had trouble bonding with my firstborn was diagnosed as PTSD. I learned that the poor litle thing was the primary trigger that brought it all back, which is why I hated being around her and avoided touching and holding her unless I absolutely had to when she was a baby, and even into her toddlerhood.

With the help of cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants, things are much better, but part of me still feels like I missed out on something precious when she was new.

I really hope this type of trauma gains more respect and study in the future. Bad birth experiences when both mother and baby are "fine" are rarely given any serious consideration, in my experience.

My car was hit from behind by a drunken driver in a very violent accident. Since he did not have enough insurance coverage, we had to go to court to get the money for my daughter and my injuries. We were living in Southern Mississippi at the time. Six months later, Hurricane Katrina struck. We both thought we were doing well until one year later right after our settlement was finally reached. My daughter wasn't feeling right so we took her to a therapist. She was diagnosed with PTSD. That's when I realized I also had PTSD. We both went on medication. Now two years later, the mention or site of Katrina gives us that exact pit in the stomach Dr. Gupta mentioned. We went to the movies to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button without knowing that the Katrina coverage from WDSU in New Orleans was included. My daughter said she almost had to leave the theater. It also doesn't help that Mississippi will not give a minor their insurance settlement money until the age of 21 unless they join the military, get married or become an emancipated minor. We were not told this up front so my daughter will not get her money she could be using for her education for over another year. With that hanging out there, the accident can never be completely gone from our minds. The other day a car accident happened right in front of us and we both felt those same old feelings. We went ahead with our shopping and that seemed to help. Moving from Mississippi helped us a lot but there are some things that remain no matter what.

Thank you for answering this question. I had trauma in my childhood with physical abuse and the such and have received counseling off and on for the past 2 years (money and insurance prevent it from being consistent). My counselor also explained PTSD to be like the story of the poachers that had killed an elephant and left her baby behind. The poachers often wore red and several years later there were people (who were not poachers) that were in the area and the elephant seeing one of them wear red...set off a trigger and charged at them. I'm not quite sure if the story is true, might be different versions but it made sense. It is very very hard trying to undo PTSD but taking time, reasoning out your emotions and trying to trace them back help me out a lot. At all times you have to be logical

I would have burned it! Thanks for your many presentations on CNN.

W/r/t PTSD, do you have any feeling or opinion on use of EMDR as a treatment. It has been offered in certain VA settings. Some reporters think it is a placebo, others believe it really decreases the emotional
response which happens outside of our left brain control. It is supposed to allow the person w/ PTSD to be able to be able to remember what happened – but without experiencing the fear and anxiety of the events.

Also, I wonder if one of the difficulties with "maintaining strong relationships" for vets with PTSD is that many people never really had strong relationships when they were young, or before experiencing the trauma of war. So they may have been more susceptible to stress to start with, and have no established trusting relationship(s) to return to – making recovery more difficult.

Dear Dr Gupta,

Thank you for your answer, I wish you could get through to the leadership of the US Army.

I grew up in West Belfast, Northern Ireland & while attending University in the United States I found it therapeutic to write about the atrocities I witnessed as a child through that conflict.

When the attacks on the World Trade Center occured I was a US Army Officer stationed at aCombat Training Center, as an Observer / Controller. The training exercises that I observed & controlled during this period, no longer became training exercises, my mind & emotions betrayed me & these exercises became real world.

One morning I went to the local health clinic for a different issue & worked up the courage to tell the doctor I thought I had depression.
His response was "ah depression whats that" I never mentioned the word depression again until after a failed suicide attempt.

Everytime I read of a soldier committing suicide I wonder how many times he / she asked for help, and got the same response I got from a medical professional.

I know all the reasons why they do not ask for help.

Thank You For All You Do

I had two traumatic experiences in a row (medical emergencies which almost killed me) which brought on symptoms of PTSD that can still be triggered today. I wrote about the experiences as well as what I consider to be the fundamental cause of all PTSD, no matter its cause. Interested readers can find the post at:

http://happinessinthisworld.com/2009/03/15/overcoming-the-fear-of-death/

Alex Lickerman, M.D.

imagine those including me that can't throw away a tangible item and get rid of a horrible situation. I have found EFT to be a MIRACLE in relieving PTSD which I have dealth with since childhood. Many drugs...much therapy. NOTHING has worked like EFT. Now I am DETACHED from those haunting memories. Now it seems like it happened to someone else...and that PIT of the STOMACH horror is gone...TYG!!!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE EFT!! It can save lives Sanjay.

as a ptsd sufferer i can attest to dr grupa's statement. i was in Vietnam for three years and still have strong symptoms. i also wish to say that the veterans administration is providing much better care than when i returned and the treatment is predominantly focused to living your life the best you can with the symptoms you have. this methodology seams to provide the best results both socially and personally. not all ptsd sufferers suffer the same symptoms. we have ww2 vets just now realizing they have ptsd. it seams to affect each person uniquely. the trauma can be just as bad even if your time is very short or even if your duty was periphery to the combat zone (like handling bodies or assisting injured fellow servicemen and the symptoms can inadvertently be transfered to those close to the patient by association such as family and friends.) recovery is closely related to the support and understanding of others. thank you dr grupa for an honest and revealing testimony and diagnosis. and thank you for your service god bless

I've heard that just 7 days of treatment with beta blockers after a traumatic episode will almost completely eliminate the risk of PTSD. I read this a while back but haven't heard anything more.

Could the fighting military be given beta blockers during battle to prevent PTSD?

Please investigate: http://www.emofree.com/articles.aspx?id=30
Gary Craig has been working with Veterans through http://www.stressproject.org/ a non-profit research group which studies a group of therapies called Energy Psychology, which have a proven track record in releasing emotional trauma. It is free to vets and works.

I am not connected to them in any way, except that I use EFT and believe it to be extremely useful.

Thanks,
Lisa Hunt

Dr. Gupta.. let me be blunt.

I would like to quote Farrah Fawcett, who is suffering with a terrible condition.

"When you suffer from a debilitating condition... optimism is essential."

You are on the wrong side of optimism for sufferers of stress conditions, at the moment. You need to expand your point of view to allow for acceptable OPTIONS for those of us who suffer intolerable levels of stress. You then need to share this info with your viewers.

Shame on you.

Dr. Gupta:

I was a patient in the past year of a anterior/posterior L5-S1 fusion due to a fractured vertebrae. During the months prior to the operation, and several months after I was prescribed high doses of oxycontin and percocet to manage the intense pain this was inflicting on me. I am now prescribed methadone and vicodin for long term maintenance as I am still in reduced, but significant pain. I am seeking your insight in order to hopefully find a solution to an underlying issue I was cured of while on the oxycontin. For many years I have dealt with serious lack of motivation, interest and general happiness. This drug turned out to be the devil in disguise for me. While it did manage my pain, it also for the first time in memory gave me the motivation, interest, and happiness I so desperately seek. The methadone and vicodin do not. I don't want to, nor could I, rely on an opioid dependence on several levels but it is the only thing that has ever solved this for me and no doctor seems to understand why, or what the underlying issue is. I have tried several anti-depressants, therapists. and have also been prescribed concerta to no avail. What the heck is wrong with me!? Any thoughts on a diagnosis or treatment? I anxiously await your thought. Thank you for your time.

This has just come up with our son, who was in the Navy for 20 years in the submarine service. He has been diagnosed with possible lung cancer, scarred lungs, emphysema. He has never smoked, and has lived in a smoke-free environment after his retirement from the Navy. The area that he has lived in for the last eight years is in a farming community in Illinois, not close to any major cities. Chicago is over 200 miles away. I am wondering if his being in the sub with the fumes that the sub had from many different things may have caused some of these problems. I have told him to notify the VA of his conditions. Would these illinesses be possible from having served on subs for long periods of time? He is only 47 years old, and before all these problems has been healthy, except for some blood pressure problems, which he also had in the Navy. Gail Vallee

This is in regards to the subsequent and obvious change in behavior noticed in my wife and friend of over 20 years during and after her return from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

My wife has always been a very strong and dedicated individual which made her an excellent soldier. She remains one of the most mentally and physically toughest people I ever met; however, I as well as others witnessed a change in her behavior while communicating during her tour. My wife seemed withdrawn and mentally occupied during most of the infrequent times we spoke; however, I assumed it was the way she chose to deal with the unsafe and stressful environment. In addition to the environment, a couple of events took place during her tour that I know contributed to her enormous change in behavior

There was an incident involving the death of Iraqi personnel that my wife had grown close to and were easily considered friends. Prior to the incident, she had been sharing with me the multiple things she learned about Iraqi culture through these individuals. It was a huge deal to her, as well as me, being that there were several misconceptions we had pertaining to Iraqi people. I remember the sadness and despair in her voice when she explained the incident. She spoke about how the reality of where she was kicked in and the amount of risk her friends were subjected just to provide for and support their family.

The second incident hit closer to home and only by GOD’s grace did not have an outcome that would have took my wife and the mothers of my kids away from us forever. I remember speaking with my wife concerning her commands decision to have all personnel, no matter their MOS, convoy back and fourth between camps. This clearly did not make sense, being that the assigned MPs were frequently required to make these trips. I was extremely upset at the fact that a Commander would put a soldier specializing in Personnel matters in harms way due to a personal preference. My wife was also upset, but understood that it was something that she was required to do, so it would be best to prepare for it.

With only a few weeks left in Iraq and a few months left in the Army all together, my wife was involved in a Car Bombing, which hit the convoy she was riding in. I remember it taking so long for her to explain what happen because of the crying and disbelief. It was so hard for me to be the rock during this time because all I could think about is how life would have been without her. I could here in her voice the ‘what ifs’ and how close the reality of death was. She explained how quick it happened; from seeing a speeding vehicle out the corner of her eyes, to a loud explosion followed by darkness. She explained the aftermath of feeling trapped in the vehicle consumed with smoke and the body parts she removed from her clothing believing it was material from the vehicle. I thank GOD every time I think about this incident for sparing my wife.

When my wife finally returned from Iraq, acclimating herself back into a routine was required immediately. I was still here in Iraq and Thanksgiving and Christmas was right around the corner. There was no real break for her. During this time period, I received calls and emails from family and friends asking why she has not made contact or was not returning emails or phone calls. I chalked it up to how busy her schedule was with the upcoming holidays and preparing to ETS out of the Army; however, I knew it was more that that.

Her mother that had lived with us since 2000, noticed the change immediately. There were several times we spoke about how short my wife’s temper had become and how distant and secluded she would be during the evenings. We are a very close family, so talking, laughing, and joking with each other, including the kids was a common occurrence. This was not taking place. We assumed that it would slowly get back to normal and even suggested some form of counseling, but with all the responsibilities surrounding the kid’s daily needs, the finances, life outside of the uniform, and just life period, receiving counseling did not fit into the schedule. I can not count how many arguments we have had because of the oblivious change in attitude and behavior that everyone noticed except her. Countless times my wife has changed moods in a matter of a few minutes and during regular conversations. Telling her that she is crazy really became a normal remark.

If I had known that her change in behavior could have been due to a medical acknowledged sickness, I would have intervened a long time ago. Most people hear about the issues soldiers have after returning from a War, but most do not receive enough information to define it as a contributing factor surrounding the turmoil and disorder that occurs within their household. I do not want to believe that a woman I have known and loved more than half my life is being affected by a clinical sickness. One of the strongest attributes my wife possesses is her ability to maintain a mental toughness through challenging times, which I believe only hinders her ability to receive proper help for this possible condition.

There is no one that I have ever met that loved life as much as my wife did prior to serving in Iraq. Her outlook on life has drastically changed for the worst ever since; whether the change was due to the events that took place in Iraq or War in general, the wife, mother, daughter, and friend that left for OIF has not yet completely returned.

The study you reference first appeared in 2002. The results did show a difference in the group that received the beta blocker (propanalol) but the difference was not statistically significant. The groups also were allowed to have supportive counseling which, as indicated by more recent research, has show to be more effective in treating PTSD than prescribing medications and using behavior modification techniques. The research on using beta blockers needs to continue to see if it's a reality to use in the treatment (or prevention of) PTSD.

PTSD is real and more widespread than most people know. A lot of time, individuals and families don't realize there is a problem and can't explain the bouts of anger and personality changes that occur after war. Too often, the individual suffers in silence and many times PTSD will lead to things such as homelessness, violence, and suicide. This issue needs continued attention and it would be absolutely wonderful if further research can find a way to control the horrors this illness brings.

Hello,
I work with trauma to be specific my field is Somatic Trauma Resolution. PTSD like any other traumatic symptoms actually can be resolved .
What happens is that the survival energy stays in the body and tries to get resolution. So by a trigger, which can be anything from smells, feelings, temperature etc. our system sees it as an opportunity to resolve the trauma if it is not allowed to discharge, which usually happens in our societies by staying in the neocortex (frontal brain, rational brain), the energy stays in the system and has an opportunity to wrack havoc on our being by developing all kind of symptoms. We are designed by nature to have this innate ability to heal. This is of course a very simple explanation if you want to find out more about Somatic Trauma Resolution you can go to SomaticTraumaResolution.org or check out Dr. Peter Levine or Gina Ross or Dr. Scaer. Science is slowly recognizing and understanding the concept of Bodymindspirit (yes one word) If you have PTSD or other traumatic occurrences or unexplainable symptoms in your live seek out a practitioner.
Kismet

YES – YES – YES – PTSD can be helped a great deal and often completely cured! And let's just make a small change to those letters ....

"‘PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’ should be changed to ‘PTSR = Post Traumatic Stress Response’ because your symptoms are a normal response to what happened to you (in an abnormal circumstance) and they are NOT a ‘disorder’!”
– Peter Levine, Ph.D.

I recommend EVERYONE, who has or presently experiences any symptoms due to trauma, to look into SE (SOMATIC EXPERIENCING) or STR (SOMATIC TRAUMA RESOLUTION). There are also 2 books I HIGHLY recommend: "Beyond the trauma vortex into the healing vortex – a guide for you" by Gina Ross and if your trauma is car related, please read "Crash Course" by Diane Poole-Heller & Larry Heller.

TRAUMA/PTSD is not about the intensity of the event experienced, but rather how intensely the shock/trauma experience(d) affected your nervous system!

All your body is trying to do is complete an interrupted impulse which happened when you were unable to fight or flight and probably froze in the event because the circumstance became too much to handle at that time and so you had to disassociate somehow in order to survive what happened to you.

Look for SE (Somatic Experiencing) practitioners or STR (Somatic Trauma Resolution) practitioners .... and start healing! Don't give up on your search for healing .... you don't have to stay stuck with the symptoms!!!! And like Carl Jung said ... find the "right" practitioner for YOU.

Here are a few sources which might be helpful:
http://traumahealing.com/
http://www.beyondthetraumavortex.com/
http://beyondtraumasymptoms.blogspot.com/

ahh DL you rock thank you I am glad that you posted and sound very excited about it. I love my work and I see the results on a daily basis.
Thank you for your post let the healing begin and the old belief of we have to endure slip away

Kismet

My father-in-law was in the Korean War and was twice severely injured (the first time he requested to go back when he was released from the hospital). He was the only man in his unit to make it home and he has shrapnel in his body to this day. The war was over 50 years ago and he still suffers from it with nightmares, sleep problems and panic attacks. He's had a successful life and has been a leader in many capacities for all of it, but this haunts him. He has spoken to a lot of groups (especially high school students) about the real face of war on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. He has never recovered from PTSD but he has soldiered on (literally) and used it to do immeasurable good. He's my hero.

I have PTSD for very different reasons stemming from my childhood. Funny how this little redhead woman and this nearly 80 year-old bear of a man can have so much in common. I went on to work with battered women and victims of sexual assault, and used my experiences to be there for others.

You get through it, and you find a new normal. If you can find a way to use it to help others then there's a feeling of beating it, even if you are still changed from what you lived through.

my son was admitted to robert wood johnson childrens hospital on may 20 2009 for a scoliosis surgery. on may 21 at 8pm he went into a coma. they claim his pressure from his hydrocephalus went up, others say he had a stroke. they tell us they don’t know why this happened but my son will never wake up again. i’m asking for anyone to help us.

I am quite sure that I do have PTSD from several things that have happened in my life. I was married to an abusive man who verbally and physically abused me. We are no longer married. But the few times since then I have even had to be in the same room with him I just shake uncontrollably and am very nauseous.

I had a medical situation that was very traumatic both physically and emotionally. It went on for over 8 months resulted in a life changing medical surgery that will always be permanent. I even dream about this, and because I live with this medical condition which has change my life so much I am always remined of it and I just don't know how I can get out of the dread and fear over this situation that cannot be reversed medically. Its not going to end my life. I used to cry about it in the beginning but now I just can't I am just fearful. I am already taking antidepressants.

I want to echo ACinCincy's reply. During my pregnancy I had preeclampsia and a traumatic birth experience, and since then have connected with other mothers with similar experiences - this issue desperately needs more study. Men, childless women, and women who did not have traumatic birth experiences simply don't get it. I've talked to mothers who have been told they should "be happy" and "get over" what happened to them because their child is healthy. It doesn't work that way, and far too many people - including medical professionals - need education on this.

I find that PSTD cannot be immediately healed but symptoms can "fade over time" if therapy focuses on somato-emotional release or something like Emotional Freedom Techniques. The event has to be revisited with a sense of what it has taught the patient, and after the patient accepts what has happened and can manage to determine how that life lesson can change the course of their history in a positive way, the symptoms begin to subside.

I agree with your experience. It has been 19 years since I have been overseas and there are items that trigger these thoughts. Thanks for informing people that what we have experience is real but does not have to control our lives.

I would love to see CNN do more to address PTSD and other disabilities and the rights of children to services and accommodations in the schools and the rights of all under 504, ADA, and IDEA . It is wonderful to discuss whether these disorders are permanent or not, but what about educating society about the rights of children to not have to be repeatedly exposed to triggers. Imagine being a child who had your hat, and having to see your teacher every morning walk in with such a hat? Children who have been through traumatic events need to feel safe. I find sarcasm, and intimidation widespread in class rooms where many children are forced into complete withdrawal
due to their already over traumatized lives. While trying to advocate in such situations I have faced defensiveness, anger, resentment and attacks from teachers, administrators and school boards. Our children deserve a "safe" education and those interacting with them each day to be properly trained and understand the psychological impact they have on the students.

PTSD is just as hard on the victim's spouse or significant other. This is not a 'mental issue', it is a real outcome of a very real trauma to a person. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done no matter how much you want to help your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend. I would have very much appreciated being able to speak to other partners who were supporting their S.O. in dealing with PTSD. The symptoms may fade, but they can just as suddenly and spontaneously attack, which is what makes PTSD so hard to deal with. You just keep being revictimized over and over again. It's a psychological beating every time it happens. For those of you with spouses or S.O.'s with PTSD, understand that the person you are with has changed _for_ _ever_ and will NOT be the same person you married or are dating, etc. I wish to God there were treatments for this, but there _are_ none.

I spend all day treating PTSD soldiers. Many do get through their PTSD symptoms but it requires more than talk therapy and medications.

Combining cognitive therapy and other talk treatments with EMDR, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), massage, biofeedback, energy therapy like Reiki seem to be crucial in creating a holistic healing response. Part of the process is knocking down the hyperarousal to allow some ability to control the anxiety and restore a sense of self-efficacy. Then the "stuck" unfinished experiences can be tackled and healed. PTSD patients need hope and a willingness to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes...

I was recently diagnosed with PTSD, Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia, hypervigilance anxiety and dissociation disorder. Gee it's no wonder I was in a fog for several years. I feel a little better since I had 4 Psycotherapy sessions. I was beaten with a belt by my father from when I was really small up until I was 16, left home and got married .

My husband is a saint to put up with me for all these years. He recently had open heart surgery and abdominal aorta repair. Years ago we had a child who had hydrocephalis and died at 2 years old. We have a grown child who has been on drugs for the past 30 years. After my son divorced I lost all contact with my first grandchild. That devastated me. I also was the target of a bully at work. To anyone who has been bullied, my heart goes out to you. That really messed with my mind. I was forced to retire early due to severe arthritis in my fingers. I loved my job and wanted to get my 30 years in but I only ever got to 29 years. I became suicidal.

I had no idea what was wrong with my head. I thought I had altzheimers. I had a series of tests that showed nothing so I was sent to a Psychotherapist. I'm on Buspar now in addition to my Wellbutrin. It will be a long haul but thank God I found help. I was told that what I have is "treatable" which I take it that I won't be cured. I never would have thought of PTSD in a million years. I thought only soldiers got that.

As I was sitting here crying at a recent trigger that forced me to experience the MVA i had at 14 that permanently disabled me, I came across your site. Although it has been acknowledged for years that I have PTSD I still encounter ignorance in forms like " it was so long ago can't you just get over it ?"Although it should upset me to know there is no cure; that news oddly enough makes me feel better now I know there is nothing "wrong" with me and I am not just malingering as I have been accused of many time in the past 17 years.
On a side note for te posters who gave us the link to:SomaticTraumaResolution.org You should not be advertising on here. It kind of offends a trauma survivor such as myself, who has for the record, wasted thousands on your type of treatment as well as other miracle cures that led me to believe if I tried hard enough or wanted it enough I would be fine. Didn't happen and shame on you for useing the pain and suffering of the people who came here for a little information and comfor for your own personal gain.

you are wrong i recovered from ptsd