PTSD Not what you think: Part 1
PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Post Terror Soul Distress (Tick, PHD)?
Let’s consider another approach into this diagnosis.
Present Triumph Spirit Directed –
If we focus on labels and diagnostic criterion, there is a danger of bringing that into our identity, or worse take it on as our identity. As a Maximum-Security Prison Chaplain, I am well aware of identity catastrophes. When someone new comes into the Prison, they are (at some point) given a handbook for them to reference for policies which are relevant to them. The name of the handbook is called the Prisoner Handbook.
The Prisoner may receive this handbook and immediately see the title (again Prisoner Handbook) and accept this as their identity. The point I am trying to make, and I think perhaps it is clear and simple – If we label a diagnosis posttraumatic stress disorder, much like a Prisoner Handbook, we run the danger of walking in that identity. In a previous blog, I wrote about identity, now I am declaring (again) “Our identity is not in our diagnosis.” We are not what the label says.
· Does that include this new acronym I am bringing about to you right now?
o In short? Yes.
I do not desire for you or anyone to be locked into a “coined expression.” Having said all of this, let’s just consider some things.
PTSD: commonly and clinically referred to as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is classified as a mental health condition, which often requires therapy, medication, and other interventions. I have heard individuals say they have PTSD, and yet what they might be saying underneath the statement could really be, “I am PTSD.”
The diagnostic label begins to shape the ability to recognize who they are. Don’t get me wrong, trauma is transformative. Continued exposure to trauma changes an individual’s world view, feelings of safety, abilities to function and so-on. This influence may last for years.
According to an October 10, 2018, post titled “Diagnostic labels for mental health conditions are not always useful” found in Medical Press, and written by Bhusmadey Chakrabarti, Hippocrates echoed a sentiment over two millennia ago when he stated: “It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.” This is an important consideration, and yet there is no spiritual component offered. I will say, We are more than our diagnosis, we are more than our mental health condition, we are a spiritual being created fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139). We are unique and spiritual and as such, the diagnostic criterion must be reviewed.
The DSM-IV (2004) would have different criteria for diagnosis than the DSM-V (2013). The diagnostic features change frequently, and this is another reason why labels are often improper to hand out – not to mention people walk in the identity of the label rather than who they really are. It makes a difference, a huge difference, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. It makes a difference for treatment options.
What I am not saying is this, the label does not make all the difference, the label may not cause this impact in everyone. Yet it is crucial enough to examine within the context of a newer classification option.
What do I mean when I describe a new definition for PTSD as Present Triumph Spirit Directed?
Present: Often those with PTSD are bombarded with invasive thoughts from the traumatic episode. They are reliving a past trauma in the now post experience. They are unable to move from the past into the present, and perhaps cannot even see the future – In short they (myself included) may get stuck (and perhaps stay stuck) without knowing how to move forward.
· This PRESENT offers a new definition to allow the individual to move out of the trauma, into the present day. This may provide hope for the person to move ahead, to understand fully how they are safe, they are not in the past and they don’t have to live in the post-trauma from the event of the past. Is this making sense? The individual can move in the present
There is a present triumph rather than a Post-Trauma. One definition describes hope and is filled with victory, the other continues to remind the person of the trauma.
As a person who has experienced trauma (everyone has experienced trauma) let me tell you – I don’t need to be reminded of past trauma, I need to be reassured of present and future triumph! I can walk in victory.
· Disclosure: I recognize the change in the brain, the neurotransmitters, the long-term memories, and short-term memories. This is a factor in diagnostic criterion and treatment and should not be left out of considerations – and yet the spiritual aspect of the person must be strongly understood for treatment and healing purposes.
So, the Present has briefly been defined, let’s look at the Triumph.
Triumph: I must admit – I prefer to walk in triumph over trauma. I prefer to walk in the present rather than relive trauma. I will still have days of intrusive thoughts, but hear these words, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:4-6 [NKJV]). I am not going to dive deeply into this entire verse yet consider the words about bringing every thought into captivity, or into subjection to the obedience of Christ. Powerful statement, powerful truth. This is a triumphant statement of truth that we can walk in together. I know, I am still learning to walk in that truth, but I am walking in it more so now than I was yesterday.
The apostle Paul says this – “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9 [NKJV]).
We can have triumph as we meditate or dwell on things which are pure, lovely, good report, virtuous, praiseworthy things! Oh, not only that – the God of peace will be with us! That is a magnificent and triumphant statement of truth!
This may be a decent place to stop for now on this post. The continuation will be July 14, 2021, at 1100AM. I hope this has been informative. In that post I will go over the Spirit, and the Directed aspects of the new definition: Present Triumph Spirit Directed.
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