Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

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Is PTSD genetic?

deleted_user
deleted_user
I was diagnosed with PTSD in May 2004 and up until that time I did not have many mental problems here and there through my life. It hit me really hard @ age 34. I am a college graduate and can read and write very well, however when I was 34 I went back to a time when I was 4 years old. I could not explain it and did not know what was going on with me. My husband was stunned ans kept asking me what was wrong..I could not explain it...It hit me on a whelm and I was medicated until Jan or Feb of 2006. I had a wonderful doctor and he helped me every step of the way. I regained my education and continued on my career path, but how strange this is/was....I feel myself going back sometimes and I have literally pull myself back to the present state of being. I wonder if this is genetic and passed down. I cannot explain why my memory is so weird and how I can remember things sometimes and not. It is so weird. I feel totally ok now, but I have to take care of myself on a daily basis.
I want to know more about PTSD, however I have not had the time to do experiments. Does anyone know if this is genetic? or learned, or passed down somehow?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've never heard of PTSD being genetic. However, one of my friends who dissociates, they say her child learned some of her behavior along the way, because she would switch back and forth from a childlike dissociative state to an adult mother. That's really a tough question to answer because everyone I know who has PTSD suffered some type of trauma. Could be emotional, physical, mental, etc. If I run across any info about it being genetic I'll pass it along. I wish you well.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was told by my therapist that the way we each as individuals process trauma is just how are brains are "wired" (for lack of better word, hers not mine). She said mine has always been "wired" to be like it is now if pushed to the limit. Each of has different limits too. Our make up is genetic so I think there is a link there somewhere.

This has been a very good thought provoking question! Thank you, I'm going to have to look into that one. I'll share what I find too...
deleted_user
deleted_user
PTSD is a response to truama. It manifests as low stress tolerance. You may have dissociativeness related to buried childhood issues or even truama, but you know you have ptsd when you stress out too easily.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Boy, that's a good question. I know people who have been through multiple horrific traumas and don't turn up with PTSD. I've read a bit about the possibility that certain types of people might have a predisposition for such disorders. I really do not think, personally, however, that it's learned. I know for myself, no one in my family or among my closest friends have ever experienced anything like it.

Interesting topic!
deleted_user
deleted_user
PTSD is anxiety based. Has a strong physiologic connection.
A traumatic experience precedes PTSD.

About it being genetic...I don't think PTSD is in itself genetic, JMO...don't recall seeing research on this, I'm sure some is out there...BUT, the mere fact of mental illness in your lineage, plus one's own trauma history can lead to a higher risk of getting PTSD.

Of course if one grew up in a physically abusive environment, where one's Mom is getting abused, and you are too...then it's likely one's mom had PTSD, and it's possible the child may get PTSD as well.
deleted_user
deleted_user
TLCDaisy said it well. I remember I had a doctor once tell me that a specific gum disease my mother had wasn't genetic, but it did seem to run in families. I didn't understand that connection until later, but it was an indication that environment has a lot to do with it. Daisy's example of the abusive family environment was a perfect example - the mother has PTSD and the children would as well. That is what has happened with my daughter and me.

I do believe, that the ability to process trauma is somehow genetic, so your "risk" of developing it may be passed down, but whether or not you get it will depend upon whether or not you suffer a trauma severe enough to trigger it.
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