What is PTSD? A look at the soul wound.

‘What is PTSD? A look at the soul wound’

June 16, 2021

In a May 10, 2021 article from Influence Magazine I read a brief offering on When a Church Member has PTSD, and this was a wonderful article by Edna Geddes, Psy.D., where she offers simple information on PTSD in terms which can be understood by almost anyone. In the article, I came across these words, “Ministers should not attempt to treat PTSD. The pastor’s role is to walk alongside hurting people and offer spiritual and emotional support. The most important thing anyone can do for a person who is suffering from a mental health condition is to help them get professional help” (Geddes, Psy.D., May 10, 2021).

Although I enjoyed the article, I must respectfully ask the reader to consider the soul wound of such trauma, whether childhood abuse, military combat, automobile accident, or any substantial and prolonged exposure to such trauma. Ask yourself this question, “Is this merely a physical and psychological wound, or is there more to it? Is there a spiritual impact to consider? Geddes, Psy.D., says clearly how a minister should pray and come alongside hurting people while offering spiritual and emotional support, which I totally understand and agree with, however Geddes, Psy.D., considers PTSD a mental health condition, and asserts how those who suffer from it need professional help. I am not discounting the times when referring someone to a clinician is appropriate, yet does this mean in every case of PTSD someone should be referred to a clinical professional? Perhaps we can step away from a clinical model for a moment and look at a spiritual model as well?

Edward Tick, PHD, calls Post Traumatic Stress Disorder something a little different, his definition is Post Terror Soul Distress. Essentially connecting a traumatic episode or several substantial traumatic exposures with a damaging of the soul, and not necessarily a psychological or psychiatric episode.

Hear what I am not saying - I am not telling you to stop seeing your Provider, clinician, counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, pastor or priest. I am also not suggesting that you stop taking any medications lawfully prescribed to you and used in the proper manner as prescribed. I am not suggesting these things at all. I am asking you to consider a different aspect of PTSD, and that is a soul wound which would require purposeful care on a whole-person approach, and in this instance a spiritual approach.

As we walk through the next few weeks with this thought of a soul wound in our minds, let’s look at the impact to our identity, how we are being shaped through trauma, but how it can be used in our life to bring glory to God and how He can use the transformative trauma to minister to others as well.

The DSM V (Diagnostic Statistic Manual number 5) offers an approach from religion and spirituality, and offers a distinction between religion and psychopathology. How does this impact a diagnosis for PTSD? In my humble opinion it does not, it is still merely concluded through a clinical lens without any thought from a faith-based approach into the wound of a soul. The soul, spirit, mind, and body must be addressed for a thorough contemplation of the depth of the injury.

We shall consider this as we move forward. Let’s journey together.

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Thank you always,