Historical Debates and Controversies
The search for PTSD began in the 19th through 20th century (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Issues and Controversies). Since the 19th century many psychologists such as Sigmund Frued, Estar Roto, Carl Rogers, and Charles Edward Spearman in the field have questioned the syndromes related to PTSD (Famous Psychologist & Mental Health Practitioners). Many questions have been raised to nomenclature, etiology, and compensation. Nomenclature is the choosing of names for what is now known as PTSD. Etiology is what the root cause of what came to be known as PTS. Compensation was damages being made due to PTSD at the time of occurrence (Merriam-Webster). It was not after World War II that the experiences of those who were in the concentration camps and experienced serve trauma. Caused doctors to consider PTSD. Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder became recognized in 1980 as a disorder with “specific symptoms that could be reliably diagnosed” (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The National Center for Biotechnology Information helped determine that PTSD is a mental disorder by giving information and background about biomedical and genetic information. It is stated that there are three periods of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder "creation, expansion, and embodiment" (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Issues and Controversies). These concepts have included social and cultural histories as well as models, and uses of history. There is also a debate on how mental disorders can appear and disappear throughout history (The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice). PTSD has changed our vocabulary, understanding, and views on "human coping" (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Issues and Controversies).
POV#1
Before PTSD was once considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were shocked and were unable to deal with their experiences on the battlefield. Before many of the professionals who worked in the field of psychology debated as to whether PTSD was a true disorder (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Due to these reasons psychologist and researchers began conducting experiments, observations, and surveys on individuals. Before when PTSD was mention it was inferred that veterans would be the ones who suffered from PTSD because of the Vietnam war and many veterans were beginning to come back home, which made it more likely for a veteran to be diagnosed with PTSD (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
POV#2
Now PTSD is said to be associated with changes in the brain function and structure (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many of those who study the brain chemistry have claimed that the “chemicals in the brain such as noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, the opioid systems, insulin, and cortisol all play complex roles in the PTSD symptom producing process” (Brain Chemistry and PTSD0. Scientist is researching important factors that may influence certain responses with strong emotion such as fear. Aside from researching on the brain function and structure many scientist are also researching to see if there are genetic traces that can lead a person more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD in their later years. Many Scientist have claimed that there can be a possibility of genetic family history of PTSD (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
POV#3
“As of 1980 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) added PTSD to the 3rd edition of its Diagnostics and Statistical Manuel of Mental disorders” (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There has been a great debate on how PTSD is “triggered by disturbing outside events, unlike depression” (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The causes for PTSD must include psychological and biological changes on the individual. There has also been a claim that PTSD has another psychiatric disorder such as major depression, 16% of other types of anxiety disorders” (A Political Debate on Stress Disorder). Many other researchers claim that PTSD is also the cause of alcohol abuse and drug abuse as well (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).