Researchers are developing a Vaccine for PTSD... Would you take this vaccine?

2015-06-19T22:43:04-04:00

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/vaccine-help-ptsd

Yes, there is a question for thoughts, but I want the answers to my survey. I have posted the link above so that you can reference the article before you decide...

Me, personally, I would say "Maybe", but would probably only do so if I thought I couldn't be helped any other way, and, I'd say "No" if there were any kind of side effects...

Researchers Are Developing A Vaccine For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

New studies are suggesting a link between the immune system and the way the body reacts to stress. Research with rodents are raising hopes that one day, tweaking a person's immune system could be a way to treat or even prevent conditions like PTSD, Nature reports.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-06-19T21:34:03-04:00

Would be GREAT

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 19 at 2015 9:48 PM

2015-06-19T21:48:46-04:00

Yeah, that is what we need, more drugs...NOPE.
The answer is not a drug, not a psychiatrist. I think that the answer is the love and support of your brothers in arms, and realizing that you did your duty, and brought your brothers home.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 19 at 2015 10:02 PM

2015-06-19T22:02:04-04:00

Could it be part of the SRP process labeled as "pre-deployment vaccination".....no so sure I like this manipulation of the immune system deal....

Response by SPC Ryan D. made Jun 19 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-06-19T22:48:20-04:00

They barely understand PTSD as it is, yet they assume to think they can create a vaccine? If this ever comes to be, they will find out 30 years later it didn't do anything other than cause cancer or some other horrible side effects. No thanks.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 19 at 2015 10:58 PM

2015-06-19T22:58:10-04:00

This seems like a better SRP idea.....(pre-deployment immunization for the prevention of PTSD) than a cure.....nope, not interested in being a Zombie!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 19 at 2015 11:06 PM

2015-06-19T23:06:44-04:00

So now we can make it so soldiers will not break down under use?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2015 1:43 AM

2015-06-20T01:43:03-04:00

Personally I wouldn't be interested. But I assume there might be some that are in a deep black hole that would be willing for any help.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 20 at 2015 3:58 AM

2015-06-20T03:58:27-04:00

While I do not have PTSD, I am familiar with mental illness as my sister has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder for over 20 years. She is constantly in and out of the hospital getting her meds adjusted and honestly I don't think they work for her. When she's on her meds she's a zombie.

I think the treatments currently in use for PTSD are adequate: support groups, battle buddies, etc. I also don't think there will ever be a "cure" for PTSD but rather learning to deal with it.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2015 7:47 PM

2015-06-20T19:47:25-04:00

Never but I'm sure they will try and make it mandatory just like a lot of stuff.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 20 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-06-20T21:26:13-04:00

I know some of the the folks working on these and other treatments relating to lymbic system responses to stress and memory retrieval. So who knows?

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 20 at 2015 9:30 PM

2015-06-20T21:30:40-04:00

It sounds like the beginning of one of my Zombie books.

Response by SGT Mike Rudd made Jun 20 at 2015 9:33 PM

2015-06-20T21:33:25-04:00

Yes I would if it really helps then I'm all for it

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 5:34 PM

2015-06-22T17:34:04-04:00

Not just no but hell no!! I'm tired of being a guinea pig. Just like the little white pills during Desert Shield/Storm.

Response by SGT Doc Abel made Jun 22 at 2015 10:06 PM

2015-06-22T22:06:57-04:00

I'm taking this at face value. The article says there's some evidence with rodent groups mostly. This is an interesting theory. I emphasize THEORY.
I see this as a combination of psychological experimentation with biological science. The reality is that PTSD is a psychological disorder. It is not a concrete idea by any means. We have no idea why one soldier will have traumatic nightmares from an event while the soldier next to him will not. Everyone's psychological makeup is different. They reference on small and uncorrelated case study to justify this theory. In my mind this is just piss poor science. We're trying to put a band aid on a damn 12inch hole with this one.
Also consider this; in decades of research we still haven't found a cure for the common cold or flu. Yet this article says they're finding a vaccine for a condition that has basis in psychology with physiological manifestations and restrictions. We still haven't been able to identify what specifically causes PTSD in the brain, but hey some case studies thrown together suggests we can treat it. I can imagine the side effects of this vaccine will be long and varied likely to include,
Paranoia, equalibrium distortion, hallucinations, heart anomalies, spinal degeneration, hypotension, lower home resale value, higher divorce rate, etc.
Instead how about we put money and effort into learning effective treatments, varied therapies, physical causations and better medication first?

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 22 at 2015 10:11 PM

2015-06-22T22:11:13-04:00

The answer is to take more drugs. Who benefits from this, the drug manufacturers?

Response by MAJ Karen Shive made Jun 22 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-06-22T22:48:10-04:00

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 23 at 2015 10:26 AM

2015-06-23T10:26:45-04:00

If it helps beat down the Dragon, I wish I had it a long time ago. I don't wish PTSD on anyone. Takes quality years off your life.

Response by SrA Amanda Opdyke made Jun 24 at 2015 1:29 AM

2015-06-24T01:29:55-04:00

right up there with the VA throwing pills at us to make us be quiet

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Jun 24 at 2015 2:38 AM

2015-06-24T02:38:36-04:00

I just have a real problem trusting the gov. with testing meds on us kind of like the
prenerve agent pill they feed us in storm. Some say thats why we are sick but they
won't tell us maby one day they will tell us why we are sick. I am not a good test pig..

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 5:04 PM

2015-06-25T17:04:53-04:00

Unfortunately, I was unable to open the link to the article, so I'm offering my opinion without having read the docs. Having been treated for PTSD several times, I will say that there is no "one size fits all" fixit for having something inside your head damaged by your experiences. I would be interested in seeing if something would help, but pharmaceuticals are a short-term solution, in my experience. I am not sure that "immunizing" a person is the correct solution to trauma; in my case, only learning to cope with my experiences and re-learn the appropriate stress responses to fear, aggression, and aggravation made a lasting difference.