Did you know that several Soldiers  at the Battle of Thermopylae,  
Did you know that several Soldiers  at the Battle of Thermopylae,  

including two spartans had to be dismissed  because of combat stress? They were named  
including two spartans had to be dismissed  because of combat stress? They were named  

“Tremblers” and at least one of the Spartans  hung himself rather than return home in shame.
“Tremblers” and at least one of the Spartans  hung himself rather than return home in shame.

Welcome. Today let's break open PTSD, specifically  the wild ride our ancestors had dealing with it,  
Welcome. Today let's break open PTSD, specifically  the wild ride our ancestors had dealing with it,  

the futuristic treatments we now use and  finally how we evolved our understanding of  
the futuristic treatments we now use and  finally how we evolved our understanding of  

this tangled and complicated subject  (patton slap). (on to mental health  
this tangled and complicated subject  (patton slap). (on to mental health  

reactions/ interviews/war torn/ psyche/  1000 yard stare). Cartoon 1000 years stare)
reactions/ interviews/war torn/ psyche/  1000 yard stare). Cartoon 1000 years stare)

Post traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD has now  become the modern diagnosis attributed to this  
Post traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD has now  become the modern diagnosis attributed to this  

manifestation of certain mental health  conditions after traumatic incidents.
manifestation of certain mental health  conditions after traumatic incidents.

Ok, so if PTSD is our new term then  surely mental trauma isn’t a new concept.
Ok, so if PTSD is our new term then  surely mental trauma isn’t a new concept.

Recalling the human history of PTSD  is to invoke what must have been  
Recalling the human history of PTSD  is to invoke what must have been  

fascinating displays of individual perseverance  and human resolve. So let's start there.
fascinating displays of individual perseverance  and human resolve. So let's start there.

The amateur historian in us needs only to  imagine how many countless millions must have  
The amateur historian in us needs only to  imagine how many countless millions must have  

been left with devastating mental disorders from  humanity's many, many gruesome historical events.
been left with devastating mental disorders from  humanity's many, many gruesome historical events.

How, if at all did our contemporaries  view, label or treat these conditions?
How, if at all did our contemporaries  view, label or treat these conditions?

As it turns out, we don't have  to look very hard. Artifacts,  
As it turns out, we don't have  to look very hard. Artifacts,  

tablets and literature that begin dating as  early as 3200 BC are flush with mental anguish.  
tablets and literature that begin dating as  early as 3200 BC are flush with mental anguish.  

Beginning in one of the oldest surviving pieces of  notable literature: the Epic of Gilgamesh, where  
Beginning in one of the oldest surviving pieces of  notable literature: the Epic of Gilgamesh, where  

we find the main character has become tormented  after witnessing the death of his closest friend  
we find the main character has become tormented  after witnessing the death of his closest friend  

and the epic clearly details how this brought  on horrific day dreams and recurrent nightmares.
and the epic clearly details how this brought  on horrific day dreams and recurrent nightmares.

Assyrian tablets from this period  also detail the torment of soldiers  
Assyrian tablets from this period  also detail the torment of soldiers  

who were expected to be active on  campaigns lasting several years,  
who were expected to be active on  campaigns lasting several years,  

these involved the brutal hand to  hand combat that dominated their time.
these involved the brutal hand to  hand combat that dominated their time.

Records originating from this period explain  how ghosts were to blame for causing certain  
Records originating from this period explain  how ghosts were to blame for causing certain  

soldiers to enter altered mental states  after battle. The men are described as being  
soldiers to enter altered mental states  after battle. The men are described as being  

of a “wandering mind” and having ghost induced  nightmares with the loss of cognitive function  
of a “wandering mind” and having ghost induced  nightmares with the loss of cognitive function  

despite no obvious physical injuries.  Spiritual Doctors would go on to use drugs,  
despite no obvious physical injuries.  Spiritual Doctors would go on to use drugs,  

incantations and rituals to  treat these earlier maladies.
incantations and rituals to  treat these earlier maladies.

Famed Greek Historian Herodotus also  describes how some Athenian Soldiers  
Famed Greek Historian Herodotus also  describes how some Athenian Soldiers  

later suffered hallucinations  and spontaneous blindness  
later suffered hallucinations  and spontaneous blindness  

following close encounters during  the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
following close encounters during  the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.

Then there was Rome, with the benefit of  its enduring empire was acutely aware of  
Then there was Rome, with the benefit of  its enduring empire was acutely aware of  

these stress reactions. These caused their  Legionnairres to be Quote “struck dumb with  
these stress reactions. These caused their  Legionnairres to be Quote “struck dumb with  

terror” and they noted that severe cases  would cause men to self injure in hopes of  
terror” and they noted that severe cases  would cause men to self injure in hopes of  

avoiding further combat. Perhaps one of the  first recorded instances of this behaviour.
avoiding further combat. Perhaps one of the  first recorded instances of this behaviour.

These examples of mental trauma can be  found throughout early history and it's  
These examples of mental trauma can be  found throughout early history and it's  

not hard to imagine why. For thousands of  years, we have followed a visceral and very  
not hard to imagine why. For thousands of  years, we have followed a visceral and very  

personal practice of lining up shoulder  to shoulder across from our enemies.
personal practice of lining up shoulder  to shoulder across from our enemies.

Then on the sound of a trumpet, a drum or  a pitched call, we would begin cutting into  
Then on the sound of a trumpet, a drum or  a pitched call, we would begin cutting into  

each other, in the most animalistic ways we  are capable of as a species. Our reward for  
each other, in the most animalistic ways we  are capable of as a species. Our reward for  

surviving each of these close encounters was  yet another person dying horribly under us.
surviving each of these close encounters was  yet another person dying horribly under us.

MY imagination runs wild with the sound, the  fear and the adrenaline that must have washed  
MY imagination runs wild with the sound, the  fear and the adrenaline that must have washed  

over these men and women before,  during and after such experiences.
over these men and women before,  during and after such experiences.

The ILIAD and the Odyssey, both hugely influential  epic poems from Ancient Greece are wrought with  
The ILIAD and the Odyssey, both hugely influential  epic poems from Ancient Greece are wrought with  

grief, using words such as Wrath and Rage  to describe Achilles during his campaigns.
grief, using words such as Wrath and Rage  to describe Achilles during his campaigns.

The Poem of Hercules, who we idolize to this day,  
The Poem of Hercules, who we idolize to this day,  

has his roots in pain and suffering. It’s often  glossed over how his journey to undertake the  
has his roots in pain and suffering. It’s often  glossed over how his journey to undertake the  

12 labours begins after Hera murdered his  wife and 3 children, driving him to suffer  
12 labours begins after Hera murdered his  wife and 3 children, driving him to suffer  

visions and madness - which at the time was  assumed to have been sent from the Gods.
visions and madness - which at the time was  assumed to have been sent from the Gods.

Shakespeare gives us a brief glimpse of Medieval  PTSD-like symptoms in his play Henry IV. In the  
Shakespeare gives us a brief glimpse of Medieval  PTSD-like symptoms in his play Henry IV. In the  

play, the wife of a war veteran, describes  her husband’s behavior after having returned  
play, the wife of a war veteran, describes  her husband’s behavior after having returned  

from war to involve a lack of sleep  with outbursts of unprovoked rage,  
from war to involve a lack of sleep  with outbursts of unprovoked rage,  

frequent nightmares and a seeming  inability to experience joy.
frequent nightmares and a seeming  inability to experience joy.

She portrays how he along with his fellow soldiers  
She portrays how he along with his fellow soldiers  

would be beset by great terrors in the  night and despite having returned home  
would be beset by great terrors in the  night and despite having returned home  

would choose to sleep in their armor  alongside their weapons for months on end.
would choose to sleep in their armor  alongside their weapons for months on end.

These knights likely turned to  prayer and holy men for consolation,  
These knights likely turned to  prayer and holy men for consolation,  

hoping to absolve themselves of their  sins and thus any guilt they carried.
hoping to absolve themselves of their  sins and thus any guilt they carried.

Like Shakespeare, these disorders became known by  many prominent historical writers, perhaps giving  
Like Shakespeare, these disorders became known by  many prominent historical writers, perhaps giving  

us further confirmation of just how widely trauma  and tragedy was experienced and fictionalized.
us further confirmation of just how widely trauma  and tragedy was experienced and fictionalized.

Our modern take on these tales are just as popular  today at the box office. Perhaps In embracing  
Our modern take on these tales are just as popular  today at the box office. Perhaps In embracing  

these early forms of discussion on the  subject we progressed our knowledge of PTSD,  
these early forms of discussion on the  subject we progressed our knowledge of PTSD,  

and inched toward an understanding that it is not  only relegated to combatants or frontline workers.
and inched toward an understanding that it is not  only relegated to combatants or frontline workers.

Unfortunately our attempts to treat this mental  trauma remained rudimentary and unproductive  
Unfortunately our attempts to treat this mental  trauma remained rudimentary and unproductive  

for most of history. Demons, the devil and  wickedness were too often named the culprit.  
for most of history. Demons, the devil and  wickedness were too often named the culprit.  

Faith in a higher power and  spiritual reflection might be  
Faith in a higher power and  spiritual reflection might be  

the only solution offered for this  punishment God has beset upon you.
the only solution offered for this  punishment God has beset upon you.

Despite incremental progress, the medical  community was slow to accept this hidden mental  
Despite incremental progress, the medical  community was slow to accept this hidden mental  

trauma. The spectrum ran from acknowledgement of  a condition all the way to “that's a paddlin”.
trauma. The spectrum ran from acknowledgement of  a condition all the way to “that's a paddlin”.

Luckily in the 17 century the swiss took  a break from burning heretics and began
Luckily in the 17 century the swiss took  a break from burning heretics and began

Swiss doctors in the 17 century identified  the specific behaviors that match our current  
Swiss doctors in the 17 century identified  the specific behaviors that match our current  

diagnosis. They called this condition nostalgia.  These wrote how they could tell “true” nostalgics  
diagnosis. They called this condition nostalgia.  These wrote how they could tell “true” nostalgics  

from those soldiers who were faking mental  injury in the hopes of being removed from combat. 
from those soldiers who were faking mental  injury in the hopes of being removed from combat. 

Genuine Nostalgics would quickly retreat into  themselves, suffer from melancholy and a loss  
Genuine Nostalgics would quickly retreat into  themselves, suffer from melancholy and a loss  

of appetite. They would become quick to enrage  and suicide among them could become commonplace  
of appetite. They would become quick to enrage  and suicide among them could become commonplace  

and once more our old friends from the  battlefield would return to haunt our dreams. 
and once more our old friends from the  battlefield would return to haunt our dreams. 

Our old friends from the battlefield would  also reappear as ghosts not unlike the writings  
Our old friends from the battlefield would  also reappear as ghosts not unlike the writings  

from the Assyrian soldiers generations prior. A visit from your Swiss doctor (physician) of  
from the Assyrian soldiers generations prior. A visit from your Swiss doctor (physician) of  

choice would entail cures that include leeches,  of course leeches. Purging the stomach and warm  
choice would entail cures that include leeches,  of course leeches. Purging the stomach and warm  

hypnotic emulsions, yum. Soldiers were often  treated with much less patience. Beside the  
hypnotic emulsions, yum. Soldiers were often  treated with much less patience. Beside the  

frustrations of maintaining a fighting  force, there were few if any successful  
frustrations of maintaining a fighting  force, there were few if any successful  

treatments available. An Austrian Physician of  the time reported that their efforts could do  
treatments available. An Austrian Physician of  the time reported that their efforts could do  

little to help them out of their stupor. This slow pace would become the standard  
little to help them out of their stupor. This slow pace would become the standard  

toward our modern understanding of PTSD. We  would call it different names and rebrand it as  
toward our modern understanding of PTSD. We  would call it different names and rebrand it as  

we struggled to make sense of it. Nostalgia  would make one of its last appearances in  
we struggled to make sense of it. Nostalgia  would make one of its last appearances in  

the Civil War where it would be attributed  to weakness, cowardice and a feeble will. 
the Civil War where it would be attributed  to weakness, cowardice and a feeble will. 

Yet, far from the battlefield and any calls for  honor and glory it was discovered that the very  
Yet, far from the battlefield and any calls for  honor and glory it was discovered that the very  

same symptoms of anxiety, guilt and sleeplessness  would also strike survivors of railway accidents. 
same symptoms of anxiety, guilt and sleeplessness  would also strike survivors of railway accidents. 

This diagnosis was instead labelled as railway  brain in an attempt to attribute it to unforeseen  
This diagnosis was instead labelled as railway  brain in an attempt to attribute it to unforeseen  

physical damage of the brain and while brain  damage can be an actual explanation for some  
physical damage of the brain and while brain  damage can be an actual explanation for some  

of our ancient examples, I can't help but also  wonder how many suffered due to a poor diagnosis. 
of our ancient examples, I can't help but also  wonder how many suffered due to a poor diagnosis. 

Shellshock became the hot new term in WW1.  A name derived from the horrific shelling  
Shellshock became the hot new term in WW1.  A name derived from the horrific shelling  

troops endured leading to the condition. In  response to the flood of shell shocked troops,  
troops endured leading to the condition. In  response to the flood of shell shocked troops,  

the method of forward psychiatry was  devised as a frontline treatment. 
the method of forward psychiatry was  devised as a frontline treatment. 

The idea was to keep soldiers orientated  within the theatre of war in hopes they could  
The idea was to keep soldiers orientated  within the theatre of war in hopes they could  

be returned to the fight. Several of our modern  treatments continue to share these principles but  
be returned to the fight. Several of our modern  treatments continue to share these principles but  

this is debated and shade has been thrown at this  practice, accusing it of being used more out of  
this is debated and shade has been thrown at this  practice, accusing it of being used more out of  

a need to maintain the fighting force  than a desire to help those afflicted.
a need to maintain the fighting force  than a desire to help those afflicted.

Medical Authorities also made an interesting  discovery when they noted the exact symptoms  
Medical Authorities also made an interesting  discovery when they noted the exact symptoms  

of anxiety, tremors and nightmares  manifesting in support troops who  
of anxiety, tremors and nightmares  manifesting in support troops who  

had been nowhere near the front lines. This  drew yet another conclusion hinting that PTSD  
had been nowhere near the front lines. This  drew yet another conclusion hinting that PTSD  

might expand beyond the business of warfare. During WW2, Shell shock was replaced by Combat  
might expand beyond the business of warfare. During WW2, Shell shock was replaced by Combat  

Stress reaction and maybe only here, the true  damaging effects to both man and war machine were  
Stress reaction and maybe only here, the true  damaging effects to both man and war machine were  

becoming evident. Military records show that up  to half of all military discharges during the war  
becoming evident. Military records show that up  to half of all military discharges during the war  

may have been related to this combat exhaustion. On-going care and follow up began for those who  
may have been related to this combat exhaustion. On-going care and follow up began for those who  

had severe or chronic symptoms and those  being treated for longer periods sometimes  
had severe or chronic symptoms and those  being treated for longer periods sometimes  

underwent radical treatments like hydrotherapy,  electrotherapy and even hypnosis in Europe.
underwent radical treatments like hydrotherapy,  electrotherapy and even hypnosis in Europe.

Our true understanding of Modern PTSD began  in the 1950’s when the American Psychiatric  
Our true understanding of Modern PTSD began  in the 1950’s when the American Psychiatric  

Association added Gross Stress Reaction to its  repertoire. A psychological issue stemming from  
Association added Gross Stress Reaction to its  repertoire. A psychological issue stemming from  

a traumatic event, combat or otherwise  was now diagnosiable and open for study. 
a traumatic event, combat or otherwise  was now diagnosiable and open for study. 

Well, we screwed it up and still didn’t  embrace any claim with full acceptance. Our  
Well, we screwed it up and still didn’t  embrace any claim with full acceptance. Our  

belief was that mental issues were short  lived and any symptoms lasting longer  
belief was that mental issues were short  lived and any symptoms lasting longer  

than 6 months was thought to have had  nothing to do with any previous combat  
than 6 months was thought to have had  nothing to do with any previous combat  

or trauma. The diagnosis and any support  it gave would be removed and replaced. 
or trauma. The diagnosis and any support  it gave would be removed and replaced. 

Luckily for patients and unluckily for most  everyone else. The vietnam war happened and in  
Luckily for patients and unluckily for most  everyone else. The vietnam war happened and in  

a brighter more modern medical light, we could  finally accept the links between the trauma of  
a brighter more modern medical light, we could  finally accept the links between the trauma of  

war and post military civilian life. PTSD was  coined as the latest moniker we know today. 
war and post military civilian life. PTSD was  coined as the latest moniker we know today. 

Currently PTSD is no longer considered an  anxiety disorder and is now in its own category  
Currently PTSD is no longer considered an  anxiety disorder and is now in its own category  

of Trauma and stress related disorders with  its own set of 4 symptoms. Here they are now: 
of Trauma and stress related disorders with  its own set of 4 symptoms. Here they are now: 

Most of us will experience at least a few of  these in our lives and so for you to be diagnosed,  
Most of us will experience at least a few of  these in our lives and so for you to be diagnosed,  

all 4 symptoms must be present and last  at least a month with significant distress  
all 4 symptoms must be present and last  at least a month with significant distress  

and interference with day to day functioning. The answer to how we should treat PTSD stricken  
and interference with day to day functioning. The answer to how we should treat PTSD stricken  

people going forward is still hotly debated. In a nutshell, State of the Art treatments include  
people going forward is still hotly debated. In a nutshell, State of the Art treatments include  

different cognitive or exposure therapies. These  are forms of psychotherapy and involve a gradual  
different cognitive or exposure therapies. These  are forms of psychotherapy and involve a gradual  

process to help a person take incremental steps  towards a behavioural change. They might practice  
process to help a person take incremental steps  towards a behavioural change. They might practice  

reestablishing social circles or slowly begin to  imagine their traumatic incident with assistance. 
reestablishing social circles or slowly begin to  imagine their traumatic incident with assistance. 

This is often with a trained psychiatrist but  nowadays it can be done using virtual reality,  
This is often with a trained psychiatrist but  nowadays it can be done using virtual reality,  

allowing a scalable experience to match  the patients needs and comfort level. 
allowing a scalable experience to match  the patients needs and comfort level. 

Drugs like those we use to treat anxiety also play  their part and more innovative therapies include  
Drugs like those we use to treat anxiety also play  their part and more innovative therapies include  

drug injections to block the fight or flight nerve  bundles that may trigger PTSD in the first place. 
drug injections to block the fight or flight nerve  bundles that may trigger PTSD in the first place. 

In a big way, veterans are turning to  Cannabis, magic mushrooms and ecstasy  
In a big way, veterans are turning to  Cannabis, magic mushrooms and ecstasy  

to treat their symptoms. Scientists who  study these psychedelics are lobbying for  
to treat their symptoms. Scientists who  study these psychedelics are lobbying for  

reduced drug laws after witnessing their  positive effects in those with severe trauma. 
reduced drug laws after witnessing their  positive effects in those with severe trauma. 

Our vets could use the help too. Iraq and  Afghanistan showed us once more that you  
Our vets could use the help too. Iraq and  Afghanistan showed us once more that you  

don’t have to be involved in direct combat or  global war to experience damaging mental effects. 
don’t have to be involved in direct combat or  global war to experience damaging mental effects. 

Criminally late to the party, PTSD has also  finally been recognized in our frontline workers.  
Criminally late to the party, PTSD has also  finally been recognized in our frontline workers.  

This opened care to every aspect of public  service providers. From emergency services  
This opened care to every aspect of public  service providers. From emergency services  

to Ben who takes your shit all day at the DMV. It comes as no surprise now but up to 30% of  
to Ben who takes your shit all day at the DMV. It comes as no surprise now but up to 30% of  

Canadian Police have been living within the  diagnostic criteria of PTSD whether they know  
Canadian Police have been living within the  diagnostic criteria of PTSD whether they know  

it or not. Firefighting is also fraught with  traumatic exposure. After all, we ask these  
it or not. Firefighting is also fraught with  traumatic exposure. After all, we ask these  

humans to enter a burning building to find or  recover bodies exposed to ungodly heat and flames. 
humans to enter a burning building to find or  recover bodies exposed to ungodly heat and flames. 

Medical professionals, emergency dispatchers and  every other person we rely on can now showcase  
Medical professionals, emergency dispatchers and  every other person we rely on can now showcase  

their own studies displaying just how wide  the effects of PTSD are in the present day. 
their own studies displaying just how wide  the effects of PTSD are in the present day. 

Today's information paints a grim picture of  our past and It’s incredible with our modern  
Today's information paints a grim picture of  our past and It’s incredible with our modern  

understanding to think of just how many  people we left behind to suffer. We can  
understanding to think of just how many  people we left behind to suffer. We can  

tell ourselves that we were ignorant  of science, oblivious of the afflicted  
tell ourselves that we were ignorant  of science, oblivious of the afflicted  

or just simply not in a position to help. Even now, PTSD is very hard to treat but if we  
or just simply not in a position to help. Even now, PTSD is very hard to treat but if we  

were to continue to fail these men and women who  take care of us, then we are not only damning them  
were to continue to fail these men and women who  take care of us, then we are not only damning them  

again to suffer their nightmares alone but also  ourselves when we call on them to help us in our  
again to suffer their nightmares alone but also  ourselves when we call on them to help us in our  

times of need.
times of need.