Do any of you know about Combat PTSD from Viet Nam? Some say that it was so bad they left or lost their souls there. I often wonder if they could have been so dead inside that a demon could have entered them. They stay in survival mode a lot. Can any of you relate to someone like this?
Greetings SherryD & welcome to cc... I think that you will like it here.
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I happen to be a retired Marine and while I have been blessed to not have been exposed to the level of trauma that leads to PTSD - I do have first hand appreciation for the impact that it can have upon the human psyche. While I can not speak to the demonic premise that you wonder about, I can attest to the sense of survival that is triggered during such an extreme atmosphere/experience.
While I am not a PhD in this field I am well read in the study of human behavior and have a keen eye and empathy for those who have suffered such extreme trauma; which triggers a fight or flight response. Unfortunately, as everyone's brain is wired differently, and everyone's experience is unique - these triggers can be more extreme with more extreme consequences for different people.
Around 78% of people exposed to combat do not develop PTSD; in about 25% of military personnel who develop PTSD, its appearance is delayed.
Anything that reminds them of what happened right before or during a trauma is a potential trigger. They’re usually tied to your senses. You may see, feel, smell, touch, or taste something that brings on your symptoms. While triggers themselves are usually harmless, they cause your body to react as if you’re in danger.
There are numerous Therapeutic approaches and opportunities and extensive research in this field. Some research infer the severity of PTSD is proportionate to the size of the brains hippocampus. For example, the greater the trauma and smaller the hippocampus the more severe the PTSD and vs versa.
My prayers are with you and your former spouse. Praying that he is getting the therapy that he needs and deserves.
God Bless