Can a life changin ijury be linked to ptsd?
 

Can a life altering injury be linked to PTSD? Can your life being altered make this a viable reason?

Having a life changing experience "being hurt" and never returning to the same physical emotional social status be linked in with a ptsd DIAGNOSIS?after READING MANY BOOKS ON THE SUBJECT it seems like they go hand in hand.I am sure many arguments from both sides can be entered into the mix.Also many symptoms of PTSD are like PCS and other brain related problems.Is a violent act,head injury resulting in a lifelong change any kind of a basis for suffering from PTSD.

It seems like many factors are involved and who can best say what is the criteria for a diagnosis to my question.My feeling is people are all different,this said we all react to things differently.A huge problem for 1 person is a small bump in the road for another.The differences make us all unique in that we all could in fact suffer from life changing problems at different levels.It seems to have a gray area and what can be included in a basis for the diagnosis of PTSD.

Raymond,
Your question is a bit difficult to understand. (for me),
But, I can tell you this.
I got a TBI in 98, then, watched helplessly, as my life slipped away.
I owned two business's, my wife emptied my bank acct's and stole what she could.
Beautiful Properties Lost.
I had the world! Literally.

My lawyers completely screwed up, I was well insured, and they forgot to file something.
(Legal malpractice).

So, the After Effects of the TBI, have given me a good case of PTSD!

Since you give me no circumstances, thats why I don't quite follow your question.
But, there's my answer, hope it helps.

Pete
Asb

What I don't understand is , Why do so many PCS subjects want to claim a diagnosis of PTSD?

It does not matter. Your current condition and symptoms are what they are. A label of PTSD means nothing. It just gives you an excuse for behaviors that may be choices.

After suffering a concussion that leaves you with long term symptoms and dysfunctions, the subject needs to learn to work with their symptoms, not deny them and refuse to change their life. Then the symptoms can be either minimized or otherwise accommodated.

Take the issue of anger and outbursts. The PCS sufferer needs to learn to recognize the triggers and be proactive in avoiding the triggers or walking away at the first sign of a trigger so the anger and outburst is avoided.

It requires a change in how you view life and others. An egotistical and selfish attitude of "I have a right to speak my mind" does nothing to improve or advance the situation. The outburst and anger is counter-productive to life.

The symptoms of PTSD are real, whether diagnosed or not. What matters is the patient does not rely on the diagnosis of PTSD to justify his behavior. Rather he chooses to acknowledge the complications in life causes by PTSD symptoms, and works to make changes in behavior and thought processes.

Gotta go to rehab.

Maybe more later.

"acted as a significant event"
 

yes. In my disability claim the drug related injury was what precipitated the life changing event - which led to PTSD. I used the evidence from the drug injury to prove that the Schizophrenia in this case was caused by drugs.

gardenpass,

What are the details of the event that you think caused PTSD?

Schizophrenia is not a normal symptom of PTSD. Schizophrenia and PTSD can co-occur and co-exist. A drug injury could be a cause of Schizophrenia but it would not be the same as PTSD.

It is more likely that a head injury would cause Acute Stress Disorder. PTSD would require more complicated factors.

Besides, if the symptoms are treated, it does not matter what the specific diagnosis may be.

Thanks for the Input
 

Thanks for asking Mark,
I was hoping that someone would open up the subject because I realize that I just blurted that out without any understanding really - just the mere stanza "precipitated the life event". In my Social Security Disability Documentation (yes...documentation!) I linked Schneiderian First Rank Schizophrenia to the use of Benzodiazepene and to neuroleptics in general...I was in the hospital for 30 days until I went into a type of unconscious state, which I refer to as braindamage. This might sound far fetched but I will explain a little more. I will not go by what I say and I will go by what the case examiners said: essentially post traumatic stress induced schizophrenia is an actual phenomena. Whether it was caused by the drugs and how they caused it is not apparent. The second statement is mine by the way. Basically the Trauma caused the schizophrenia, which was from the drugs. I made that very clear. Because I refused to sign any paperwork and refused the drugs until I was no longer functional. There are actually a few details...first, they took my blood and I started to hallucinate. I eventually threw up and pounded my head against the floor so they sent me to the state hospital. I was 19. Then the forced medication became more of a right to refuse and disability rights issue at that point. At this point. This is the first time I've ever really talked about it. I have discussed it with a number of Doctors however and they agreed that the medication was bad for me. But what is most fascinating is that the state is still willing to give disability even while forcing medication. That is very kind of them I think. This state is doing a good job...the whole country is doing good I think in my regards.

if the symptoms are treated, it does not matter what the specific diagnosis may be. What do you mean by this Mark? Thanks.

I think that I stated in my documentation that braindamage is usually long term. I was taking Tibetan medicine and a medical marijuana derivitive prescribed by two Doctors.

Now it is a big joke that I have a serious brain injury that "could have resulted in death." But the point is that the medication is what is at the forefront and if they really did cause the damage. Let me think very hard I am trying to answer you right from my memory but it is not very good and also I am trying not to edit this so that it is like me talking right back.

The question, "what precipitated the life changing episode?" the answer would be the drug. Thats simply jargon. But it is what we go by. We don't get too complicated at this point since it is simply put that now I have a disability - or, to them, a mental illness. Which is it? Thats the question and I think they understand that its a disability. But why does the medication help? I don't know. I think its because of quantum physics thats all I have said on the topic.

This kind of makes you wonder thought doesn't it, is he getting jerked around? But I let it roll off me. Yeah, I've spent the last three or four years trying to bring the issue to court and finally I accomplished it and refused the medication which was a huge step in my disability rights. Yes, I have to say that the medication helps you see. If the medication didn't help, I also wouldn't be disabled. There's some food for thought.

So if the medication does help, there is reason to say that I am no longer disabled. That is one reason why I argue medication and I am still disabled.

garchenpass,

Wow, what a mess the doctors did to you. If our psychiatric community had a lick of compassion, they would use more care than meds to help someone in distress.

Meds, especially when used to put a patient into a submissive state can be brutal. I have three brothers, a niece and sister-in-law who have leanrned the hard way to second guess the doctors before they let then prescribe psychotropic meds.

As far as disability goes, the subject's state without meds is usually the determining factor. Just because a person can become stable with meds does not mean they are not disabled. Unfortunately, some state funded facilities use meds to warehouse patients, rather than help them. The money received warehousing people gets in the way of good care.

Hope you have been getting good help and advice. There are many who have had success against the drugs makers and the prescribing doctors. Dr. Peter Breggin has be an expert in many such cases. www.breggin.com may be a good resource for you.

Compassion
 

Thanks for the compassion, Mark. I have struggled for years to get the correct "view"...I have always only cared about being in the present moment and allowing life to unfold, despite the medication errors and my fight to be free. It was a shock to see that the Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged my disability yet still did not know how to deal with me in terms of services. I only come openly with this information now because I believe that the state and it's employees have been affected by my case and it is beneficial to keep up to date on my situation in regards to "disability rights." They are very important. And by the state acknowledging them even superficially, I have made a greater case for my not being crazy. But, rather, having a drug-related injury - that is linked to brain impairment at the very least. See, I don't want to be "crazy." That is my political view. On that token I got the chance to finally argue the medication in court with a cup of water. All a person has to do is argue the medication if it is not right. This was my real victory because now it was well-known that I had a disability rights issue that was either being taken care of or not.

Now as I look back which is not too far along I realize it is those victories that are what make up the bulk of success. But I know at the same time that living in the present moment is what is most difficult.

I am a rare case. But there are many people who don't want to take their medication and think they have to or else they will die.

It comes down to what is most appropriate in the community and how to affect recognition of the truth in action. Sometimes truth reveals itself despite what the Court says good or bad. That all comes down to living in the present moment.

It takes compassion to not believe in medication and also to take it. This is living in the present moment. By doing this I have never made a grandiose scheme out of things. I did recognize however that there is a time and place to make decisions and what happens when you do.

You have to be able to stand up to the compettition. Like my fortune cookie said, "don't be afraid of compettition."

This seems like a strange story but I hold the power as far as my treatment is concerned. I knew that when I convinced my Doctor I didn't have Schizophrenia that I would have to use business to counter the false diagnosis'.

Now I am battling for the medication I need while living in the present moment.

I also knew that I would have to fight hard against oppression in the community. They recognized my plight as "religious". That is a big step since part of my business is related to that as far as the mystery of my injury is concerned at least. I have special rights.

In the hospital I met a Scientologist, he asked "have you ever been to our Church?" I was saying prayers for him as he was being hammered with injections and screaming one morning when no one would hear because they were asleep. Luckily I was up saying prayers about medication and I prayed for him. He came out after I was finished and saw them walk out with a tub of needles from my room. He's my only witness for the harsh treatment I had. I told the nurse I was assaulted.

So on the one hand, we have the case where what we say in the hospital is concerned mainly with therapy. On the other hand we have the court, which protects our rights. Fortunately a law had just been signed where there needed to be two court examiners. If not for that law I would not have had such good luck. We think of hospitals as treatment centers sometimes but really they are the highest place you can go to get protection in cases of malpractice. They also serve that function.

As you can tell I am very excited about this. It is great news. It blows the myths of medicine and hospitals out of the water. The man whom I mentioned witnessed my treatment won in court. He was still getting injected though. That is like what happened with me in my case: I was getting injected and then they moved me to the long term unit where I was forced to take medication which is highly unethical.

You can tell I am very disturbed by this I'm sure. It causes me a lot of stress and pollution.

Just being on medication hurts my feelings.

But this board forum should be about my injury not my feelings, right? I don't even regard my injury as real. It was almost "dissapeared". Just like me.

Im an endangered species or something.

No one wants to hear about me. And thats the same way it was in the hospital.

I don't do this for fame.

But if I don't fulfill my vows then who will?

No matter if they try to torture you.

No matter if they injure you.

No matter if they inject you.

No matter if they beat you.

You decide where your life will go.
I am not one of those people who hide behind a mental illness.
In fact, if drugs are in the equation I don't have a real mental illness.
Drugs negate that.

I ask you, sincerely, how can I have drugs that are good for me and bad for me at the same time? Drugs help one person and torture or kill another.

If someone causes you harm, don't harm them back. Then you will be a real man.

Not because it sounds tough or it is the right thing to do. But because this action will only create a cycle of misery that was begun long before the first "incident." You must never give in.

If you can do this then you are truly a civilized person. Its not about your religion or anything in the end I tell you. Its not about what kind of money you have. Its whether you give in. If you never give up, then no one can hurt you.

This is the real meaning of healing.

You protect others and you protect yourself.

It's like martial arts.

The Masters never move. Maybe they have a mental illness?

No, they just understand in the moment that there is only one moment.

Then they never make a mistake.

So I might make a move, but I'm not moving.

I'm sticking with what I know.

Not being too rigid...

so I can break in half if I have to.

Or I can bend in the breeze.

Surely the wind only makes me stronger, wouldn't you agree?

Medications? Bring em on! Injections? Let's discuss them!

insanity? Sure.

Now I can finally get something accomplished.

If it wasn't for my craziness I wouldn't be not-crazy.

I went crazy after 30 days

Thats my story.

I signed something I shouldn't have.

Then I argued my way to hell and out of heaven.

See, either way you're gonna die.

I didn't have to.

Compassion.

This forum is strange. I suppose by the nature of it.

Where is Raymond 1????


WE often answer folks, and they never return!

That makes it a little frustrating. anyone agree?
Or, are we simply learning this way?


Pete
Asb...

That reminds me to take my medication
 

*edit*

I think its easy to think that way.
Thanks for the advice. I don't know if I'll hate them like I do the people at the hospital but I will definitely appreciate.

I mean it sounds like of course the Scientologists are going to be bad because I am bad. But I hope not everyone thinks that way just because I am new and I throw in the word "Scientology." Its like thinking the Dalai Lama is bad.

He's not really bad and he's not really good.

Yes, in some sense he's what we make of him but this doesn't go beyond our personal speculation and superstition.

I think the hospital respected Scientology and he seemed to be an okay guy. *edit*. It just so happened this one was there and could be a witness to the atrocities done to me. Not that I have any care, of course. What matters most is others.

For example, if someone's opinion is very strong, sometimes it is better to let them win. Like the Scientologists for example. But it does make me stronger having the Scientologist on my side.

Thats just the way it goes.

I, however, didn't turn to religion for the answer to my battles in the hospital. I knew it was a business issue and I treated it as such. So I get along better with the psychiatrist as a result.

If you think badly about anything, usually it won't help. I never knew the guy was a scientologist when I prayed for him. My prayer is that all sentient beings may find ultimate enlightenment and temporary happiness. Whether you have to take medication it does not matter. It all depends on what makes people happy and is of most benefit to them and their journey. Does that make sense?

So in the community there are certain things I have to do. By supporting one another we get to a better place and learn to go on the journey. I don't want to hate Scientology. They have never done anything against me. They have never locked me up and abused me. I can only speak in "I" statements. Because all we have is our own opinion. Like I said, Scientology is neither good nor bad. *edit*
You should consult your Doctor before taking a drug that could kill you. I didn't get the chance. It was all a lie.

But I don't let it get to me. I remember, for example, one of the not social workers...but ummm, disability rights ladies that worked at the hospital. She said she felt weird working in a place that takes peoples rights away while she is trying to get them back. Thats sort of the way I feel having to take medication and be in the community but still having gone through what I have gone through and be an example. I can only speak for myself.

But this is not a religious forum so let's put the issue aside I was only referring to him for the sake of better understanding my plight in relationship to psychiatry and the role Scientology has in it in regards. I think that one of the qualities of a good student is that they are open minded. If you always think you are right and the other is wrong then that is bias or prejudice and not good.

When we are prejudice it doesn't matter what other people think we will do whatever we want. We can't live in a society like that. It would be utter chaos. Our society and government is built on the idea that we are all created equal and that we should share the burden.

I also met a Muslim in there. +

I also met a Christian.

I also met a Buddhist.

But what was most important was I always stayed the same. People think, you're going to change in the hospital. Yes, but it was me who actually changed by staying the same.

I think as long as you are on the right journey for yourself you don't have to worry. At first I thought this board was going to be very hard to deal with but I learned over a course of a few days that it was just my ego. If you went to learn what Scientology teaches you or I would probably realize the same thing.

It's not like we can condemn a religion like we are the governer or something.

I hope you don't think I'm a Scientologist just because I met a Scientologist. Its the same with Will Smith.

I think the real problem is people lack direction.

If you want spiritual direction you have to go to the Church. If anything I think that the best way to make change is through that avenue. But I guess they call Scientology a church, don't they!? What is my personal opinion on the subject? Opinions aren't worth a hill of beans. What really matters if you want to debate is someone sticking you with a needle a thousand times. See who gets angry first. Its fun.

Like I said I live in the present moment and my counselor thinks Im on the right path. The counselor is always right.

Just kidding. I think that if you have scientific evidence for a certain practice or profession then that legitimizes it. Scientology has their own professionalism. Psychiatry has its own professionalism. It is all based on the psyche though. The mind. If you don't understand the mind then what do you understand? Why is there a division between Church and state when they are both having to do with your mind? Good question. They say the mind and soul are different. But why is there a seperation...I went to the hospital and they had a Church there! We got to pray.

I don't see a real seperation. But I'm not a lobbyist.

The first thing I told the Muslim when I went in there was "these people are ****** up." And that proved true. But I am willing to take personal responsibility for the things that happen to me in life.

It seems like I'm trying to make them dissappear but its quite the opposite.

Well now that we know that the Scientologist is a witness you'd better get on him fast! No!!! You should be thinking, wow, isn't that great that someone was there to take note of your suffering. He really was a witness. A witness above the kind of diplomacy that goes on in thos prison hospitals. By the way, he had already won in court so he was very good witness.

Basically, there are two views. One of them is that the court decides everything: and if you believe that then the Scientologist is okay. The other is that there is a higher truth and then in that case the Scientologist is wrong. But the Scientologist is correct depending on the fact that he won in court and the court mandates who has to take medication and so on. This is basically what the psychologist in the hospital said. I won't say that the court decides because then I would be taking his remarks out of context. So that would be rude. Since the Scientologist believed in his Higher Truth, it does not contradict either of the two views, there being a court and there being a higher truth.

Just like here. There is what people say and there is a higher truth. You can't expect people to respond when you don't have any meaning.

Its just like a crazy person though who says something and it means something for him and only him. Because, he understands that noone is going to listen to him.

That is my defense.

No one is listening. Oh well.

But no, we want to force our ideas upon other people because we are not secure ourselves.

So we make up all sorts of things.

Then we have to justify them.

Isn't it fun?

But in the end the person who draws the gun is the person who gets shot.

At least if you think about the police

*edit* And the psychologists believe that your mind will go crazy!

The only one of those that actually imputes a result that is not similar to the cause is in the psychologist's standpoint. "Your mind will go crazy" So to elaborate. How the story goes is that you are ultimately the one responsible.

Either way, if you screw up you're going to suffer is the point. Regardless of your spiritual belief. Which religion is mostly just spirituality anyway today. I don't see a religion forum here at least. And most people will tell you its just spirituality and if you test them they don't know what they're talking about. The main idea should be if you do screw up not to suffer. So everyone has their own ways of dealing with that. But no one wants to suffer to get better.

Thats the real problem. You have to suffer to get better but you're already suffering so why not just keep suffering? It'll go away on its own won't it? That ain't gonna be happenin' brother!

You have to do something about it and it makes us all alike. We are all suffering and we all don't want to do anything about it. Thats my psychology.

So what I say is self-reflective wisdom. Like Dr. Phil, "how's it workin for ya?"

Then you will want to put an end to the continued suffering.

And you will also recognize that you are suffering.

Then you will want to cry or do something about it.

So I ask you, which will it be, cry or do something about it?

I will probably cry but not today. Today I am going to do something about it.

Thats a big step.

First, I'll remember my wish to take the medication for certain reasons. Then I'll meet with my friend who helps and then enter the community for health and wellness.

What are you doing?

All the time I'll know that at least I'm putting an end to the suffering. I finally stopped it! Recognizing this method is very useful. I will continue using it.

I statements please.

I feel sad that I didn't help the Scientologist.

I feel bad because now everyone thinks I am an enemy.

I feel happy because I was able to reflect on this.


Thanks again guys! You really threw me in the gutter this time. But I swam my way into the sewer where you can only drown me this time. But next time...

Stardate 2132 sewer worm to scotty: beam me up!

hahhahahah (clap)

I got to see the new movie? IT was AWESOME!!!!

They thought even though I was with staff that I was a movie critic because the guy I work with used to do reviews for that kind of thing especially music. So I was in the car with him and it was really a cool feeling. He's a great guy. Everyone is cool once you get to know them. You just have to put your part in to be there for them. Then you can even love the crazy guy.

We're fortunate to be in a place and age where medicine is effective and you can love the crazy guy at the same time.

Does the medicine make him not crazy?

I'll leave that up to to decide.

Until next time...

Keep Posting Icons:confused:

correct, this is not a religious forum and so sorry but I have had to do some edits as per our guidelines. we need to respect the fact that there are members here of many and varied beliefs and philosophies
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1293

we do in fact have a Sanctuary for Spiritual Support forum on NeuroTalk and as stated in our guidelines However it should also be noted that forum is for prayer support and spiritual inspiration and *not* for religious debate
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum27.html

thanks

Thank you Chemar

I believe that TBI and PCS can cause PSTD. OR other things in
a persons life to change for good.

Mine sure has.

Donna:grouphug:

Raymond,

Absolutely! You should see a good PTSD therapist to try and resolve your PTSD. Scientists are currently finding that resolving PTSD issues in IRAQ veterans is also resolving their MTBI symptoms.

mhr4,

Where did you get the idea that "Scientists are currently finding that resolving PTSD issues in IRAQ veterans is also resolving their MTBI symptoms."

From my research, they have found that PTSD magnifies the symptoms of MTBI/PCS. It is like washing a wound (mtbi) with dirty water (PTSD) They have been trying to identify the MTBI symptoms as compared to the PTSD symptoms.

Resolving the PTSD may reduce the overlap and magnification of MTBI symptoms but it only resolves those symptoms caused or exacerbated by the PTSD.

The injuries our soldiers are coming home with are very different that those suffered here. Rarely do people in civil society have the multiple traumas, both to the brain and the psyche. Sometimes simultaneously.

I would be very careful in submitting to PTSD therapies. Some are very controversial and may be dangerous. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be the least risky. Light therapy, sometimes performed as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has mixed reviews for treating PTSD.

Mark,

I am a member of many yahoo groups that focus on brain injury, rehabilitation for brain injury, neurofeedback, nutrition for brain injury, etc. There is a person, not sure if he is a doctor or not, who posts articles on one of those groups quite frequently, and he posted the article I mentioned on Iraq war vets and PCS related to PTSD. I would post it here, but to be honest, I'm too lazy to search through the archives to find it.

I am only aware of one form of PTSD therapy that can be dangerous for PCS. The other PTSD therapies are actually quit safe and very helpful for anyone who suffers from PTSD/PCS. When you have a chance, you should go back and conduct another search on PTSD therapies, I think you will find that there are many different forms that are extremely safe for the PCS population to do.

Just to let you know, Mark, that it seems you have a tendency to discredit or question a lot of what I post on here. You can rest assured that when I post something, I only do it because I have either experienced it myself, or I have done a lot of research on the subject. I, like you, have had many concussions in my life - a lot more than the 13 you have had. However, I, unlike you, have tried a lot of therapies and have learned from them what has worked and what hasn't. Actually, I have done so much therapy, and had it work, that I am now able to attend graduate school this fall. I don't know your situation and I'm not trying to discount what you are going through or what you have done in the past to rehabilitate yourself. However, please realize that I do know what I am talking about and instead of jumping on here and contradicting nearly everything that I post, you should try to learn something from my posts, as I have learned from your posts.

Thanks!

Could not there be aspects of both?
Perhaps someone who has experienced a traumatic brain injury-concussion, might also show signs of PTSD????
Certainly, you have seen a neurologist and would keep up with good medical care.
But, at some point, you might have to seek mental health assistance as well.
I agree, a huge problem for one, might be a small problem for another.
Perhaps the way a person was brought up is an influence. Perhaps they don't have strong coping mechanisms. Or perhaps they don't have good coping mechanisms for certain types of situations. This is nothing to be ashamed of in the least.
The important thing, is to get assistance. That is what I think is healthy to do when we recognize that we are stuck...get helpl..make changes....move forward as best as we are able...
If you have not explored the possibility of therapy for you as of of yet, I would look into it.
I too like CBT therapy...but prefer therapists who are somewhat "directive," in their orientation.
You might look into books on spiritual growth...a topic of interest to you and one that no doubt you sense will be of help. Go with it.
Wishing you well.

mhr4,

What I have been trying to say is, If you are going to make controversial statements, quote a source. I have followed the work done on PCS and PTSD for years. It has been extensively researched at the Bay Pines Veterans Administration Hospital. Robert Thatcher, Ph.D. has been a lead researcher and computerized EEG evaluator and report writer for Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI) patients as part of the Department of Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program (DVHIP).

There are lots of anecdotal comments about PCS and PTSD. As I said before, there can be a big overlap of symptoms between the two. Psychologists tend to claim that their therapies can cure PCS and PTSD. The scientific studies are the proof, not the anecdotal comments.

I have been evaluated many times by different specialties. Few have offered any therapies to improve my condition. Those therapies offered have been limited to the mind exercises I have been doing since 1971.

The therapies for PTSD, as I said, can be very controversial. The issue of importance is the specific symptoms of PTSD. Yes, some symptoms may be readily treatable, others, not so much.

The problem with this tread "Can a life changing injury be linked to PTSD?" is it has no value. PTSD is not treated based on its causation. It is treated for it symptoms. The causation treatment needs to be done prophilactically, at the time of the traumatic stress, not after the PTSD has manifest for weeks or months. It is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because it manifests after the traumatic stress. It is caused by a failure to resolve the traumatic stress in the mind and emotions of the subject in a timely manner.

One of the key problems with sustained symptoms of PCS is the stress the patient brings on themselves as a result of poor evaluation, treatment, and comments from the medical community. There is far too much, "Just relax, it WILL heal over time." Although this may be true for 95+ percent of PCS patients, it only compounds the problems of the long term PCS patient.

Yes, there are some therapies that can be effective as a shotgun approach to PTSD. It depends on the patient, etc.

I just did a fresh search for new articles. It appears that some in the research community are trying to morph PTSD and PCS together. This may be how the claim of treating PTSD results in improvement of PCS. The 'old school' definition of PCS has it standing alone, free from the emotional stresses that accompany PTSD.

The other possibility of improvement may be coincidental or synergistic. Normal life stresses are know to hamper recover from PCS and PTSD. If the patient is treated for the PTSD symptoms, the resultant lowering of life stresses may appear to help with the PCS symptoms. But, simply lowering life stresses can also help PCS in a non-PTSD patient.

It is well understood that PTSD and PCS have a magnifying effect on the symptoms of each. So, does lowering the symptoms of PTSD directly effect the PCS or does it just remove the multiplying factor from the symptoms?

If the PCS symptom level is 10 and after therapy for PTSD, it is only 3, did the PTSD resolve the PCS symptoms? Or would the PCS symptoms have been at a 3 level if the PTSD was not present?

The problem is the poor analysis methodology. I am amazed at the weakness of the methodology in some of the studies. Even more is the 'claims' made anecdotally by alternative therapy adherents. Yes, alternative therapies can be effective, but unless they are properly studied, they are just alternative therapies.

They become main stream therapies when the studies are properly done and published for peer review. QEEG has been studied extensively and been scientifically proven to be a viable diagnostic tool with rehabilitative therapies that also have great track records. But a few articles critical of QEEG have poisoned the field of QEEG so as to keep it out of the mainstream.

PTSD and PCS together have not even been studied until after soldier returning from Iraq reached a 'critical mass' worth studying.

I have had three psychologists say that my PCS symptoms are only stress related. Yet, neither has provided any support to their diagnosis. Four QEEG evaluations have said exactly the opposite. They show physiological injury as the causation of my symptoms. I find it odd that my symptoms match those described back in 1978 by one of the first researchers in PCS yet some physicians and psychologists claim I am just a psych patient.

One of the ways of validating research is the predictive method. If the symptoms can be predicted based on injury and medical history, then the diagnostic conclusions are valid.

In my case, one doctor predicted an increase in symptoms at high altitudes. This was shown to be true because I had to quite flying as a private pilot because I would suffer mental confusion, etc after prolonged times at 8 to 12 thousand feet altitude. The altitude problems manifest 20 years before I learned of the connection to PCS.
Another symptoms predicted is auditory processing. The neurologist told me that my brain gets overloaded with auditory stimuli. He asked how I handle it. He did not know that auditory over-stimulation was one of my worst symptoms as he does not look as the specific symptom complaints before evaluating the test results. This was an perfect example of predictive validation. I could go on but I think you should get the point.

These same predictive methods of validating diagnostic tools and therapies are not presented in many of the anecdotal reports of success.

In my case, I was diagnosed with PTSD (1997 traumatic event) before my most recent head injury (2001) and 18 months after a previous concussion. Most of the PTSD symptoms had been resolved prior to the 2001 injury. Only a few continue. My head injury magnified the few that continued. After some time, they resolved back to the pre-head injury state. Most of my 2001 PCS symptoms have not resolved, even though I have a history of great recoveries from my prior concussions.

My 13 concussions are the memorable concussions. I have had many more that are not so memorable. I can get a concussion riding a roller coaster, driving down a bumpy road, and even shaking my head No. I don't count those as memorable.

A head injury is a 'personal experience' we have similar issues, but each of us has our own specific issues; some more trying than others, but issues never the less.

I enjoyed reading though I didn't understand/comprehend a lot of what you all have said obviously you are all extremely intelligent and knowledgeable.

Thanks for all's input!

Melek

Which PTSD therapies are controversial?
 

Mark,

First, I would like to post a link to the research I have read, but unfortunately I can't until I post a pre-requisite number of times. Once I surpass that number, I will begin posting links to my sources.

Can you please list exactly which PTSD therapies you consider to be controversial?

Thanks.

Sure,
Here is a thumb nail list of controversial PTSD therapies.

ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy)
EMS ( Electro Magnetic Stimulation)
certain types of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy),
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing),
some aversions therapies, and
some forms of the other desensitization therapies.

Some of the therapies require a drastic change in personal world view, changes in issues of conscience, etc.

Until there are established standards of use, many of these therapies will continue to be over used or misused to the detriment of the patient. Many therapist have a god complex and are resistant to common sense or scientific methodologies.

I am still around
 

I am still around getting some time in at the doc's and trying to hang on day to day...:D