... VERY much so.

Me too!

I think you are framing this poll incorrectly.

The arcticle was expressly written to address the needs of those suffering from PTSD and/or TBI as a result of combat.

I do not think the intention of the arctice was to address all cases of PTSD. It was not a blanket statement for all cases of PTSD.

So, my response is that I am not offended by the term. I have PTSD as a direct result of comabt... I do see this as a disability that I am working very hard to overcome.

I read the arcticle, and found many of the suggestions would be of great help to me. My friends, family, and others have a hard time relating to and understanding me...

I would not presume to say that any person should be offended or not by the tern "disabled" Seems to me that is a personal feeling... and perhaps not the best wording by the author, but I don't believe was meant to offend...

I too am not offended. My instinct is to blame myself every time I disassociate or have other symptoms of PTSD. The truth is, I was abused and there was nothing I could do about it. Now my brain and body are responding in an understandable way to what happened. But it still limits me and has de-railed my career path. I've accomplished a lot in spite of PTSD, but I can't say it isn't a daily fight.

Hugs to everyone!

I would say it is a disorder. We are not crippled and our wills and mind is still in tact just the nervous system has a short

Just like cars an electrical problem is hard to pinpoint. Labels and boundaries are only good if you accept them.

What you feel about yourself is the important question. What others say does not matter.

Thank you to all for your responses. I appreciate the feedback. It's good to get a perspective from others within the PTSD community.

Question to HiveGuy. You wrote that you think I am " framing this poll incorrectly." How did I frame it? I did my best to pose a netural question in order to garner honest feedback. I even gave the author props for being a "verified" DS contributor and therefore an "expert" in the eyes of DS. Maybe I shouldn't have used the "quotation" marks but I did that to denote the language used by DS to describe their contributors as well as the exact language used by the author. It certainly wasn't my intention to sway respondants answers in one way or another. I was just looking for honest feedback.

It seemed that you were framing your poll based on all people diagnosed with PTSD. Asking if it offeneded the group at large... and I correct in that?

But the article was specifically based on combat PTSD and TBI, not all people diagnosed with PTSD... It seems two different arguments to me...

Maybe not....

But you got a myriad of responses, and I seem to be the only one that was concerned that it was improperly framed. So, I digress.

Hi HiveGuy,

Upon review, you are correct. I incorrectly referenced the article by Sarah Williams Volf when addressing the entire PTSD community with a general question. Her writing, as you pointed out, was specific to combat vets. I appreciate you bringing it to my attention.

Hope you're doing well and having a good weekend.

I think it gives rise to those capable of drawing a disability due to TBI or PTSD.
I could be wrong though.

.02; Tom S.

And who's to say a rape survivor, or a beaten child, has not experienced "combat" ?

I think that this question should be looked at on TWO levels - Some aspects of ALL PTSD can be "generalized", and others are probably war-time specific.

Just my humble opinion.

Guardian,

I never passed my judgement towards anyone elses ptsd... nor was that in any way hinted at or intended.

I simply pointed out the article was making a distinction... which it was, and that was it.

The distinction was the articles... not mine... I was just pointing it out to the thread...


Tom,
You are correct. The Army, and VA do consider PTSD a disability for the purposes of Medical Evaluation, and by extension compensation upon seperation.

I'd like to redact my earlier post that specifically mention Guardian... I had surgery recently and my drug addled brain misread the message. I have sent a personal apology to the user, and would apologize to the group as well.

I very much agree that we need to seperate the generalized PTSD label placed, and focus down into how the trauma occurs. This woud seem to serve those afflicted in a much greater way.

I would also like to point out that while I do have PTSD due to combat related trauma... I do not in any way consider it a gld standard or anything of greater or less significance than any other mechanism of trauma... In fact, one thing that DS has opened my eyes to is those that are affected from non combat situations.

My PTSD happened from war... a human absurdity that I will never have to go back to. I am not living inside the world that my trauma occured in.

I cannot imagine how hard that must be for the survivors of trauma that happened in the course of their lives, as oppossed to war... I find these survivors where I gain the most knowledge, and learn the most from.

-hive guy

I have both mTBI and PTSD. I do take offense to being refered to as a person with a disability. I just do not like the way the "expert" generalized people with these afflictions. Yes, I am dealing with some difficult challenges, but I do not consider myself as disabled. I guess your opinion would be based on your personal definition of the word disabled.

Not at all, especially when suing my x for it! Very handy in court against abusive aholes that cused it. I am all for proving it and being common knowledge so that thousands of battered women can get more help.

It is a nervous system issue that needs to be healed. I am not sure what definition of disability is exactly. Its like a temporary diability or like a nervous system overheating.

Its a bit like breaking a leg badly and than not being fully functional. Thats a disability but I guess we usually dont look at broken bones as disability.

ZThis has disabled my life.