What came first Depression or PTSD?

2021-03-28T21:04:24-04:00

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 28 at 2021 10:23 PM

2021-03-28T22:23:28-04:00

I think either one can come first -- it's probably just a case by case thing depending on the individual and the circumstances

Response by SSG Dale London made Mar 28 at 2021 10:25 PM

2021-03-28T22:25:41-04:00

If you are speaking historically or experientially I would say PTSD came first, as a result of the first time a human survived an attack by a predator or some other deeply frightening experience.
If you are trying to draw a comparison between depression and PTSD then you are comparing apples and oranges. Depression and PTSD come from different elements of human behavior. Depression's roots lie in sadness and PTSD's roots are in fear and anxiety. You can have one, the other or both simultaneously. They are not mutually exclusive.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 28 at 2021 10:39 PM

2021-03-28T22:39:14-04:00

I think it depends on the person and/or the situation. It's like asking whether you had a cold or the flu first. It can vary.

Why?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2021 11:47 PM

2021-03-28T23:47:00-04:00

Separation

Response by AB Edward Mondini made Mar 29 at 2021 3:37 AM

2021-03-29T03:37:02-04:00

PTSD

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 29 at 2021 5:54 AM

2021-03-29T05:54:58-04:00

Depression brought on by ptsd, the very thought that you do not matter, your a failure, the visions of combat that just will not go away, the experience of asking for help and being turned away, I can go on and on but you get the point I’m sure, I should know I lived it.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 29 at 2021 10:57 AM

2021-03-29T10:57:07-04:00

Personally, I had depression long before PTSD. And the Depression had nothing to do with the PTSD. However, for many folks, PTSD can cause depression (or depression-like symptoms, as some people prefer to say those symptoms are resultant of PTSD and not a separate depression - but that is another topic for another time).

When my depression returned in a big way it was a few years AFTER I had "gotten over" my (very mild) PTSD, and was, again, not linked to the PTSD.

I have not seen or heard of anyone having PTSD which was caused by depression. I have both seen and heard of folks having depression caused by (or triggered by or as a "side effect" of) PTSD.

That is a very long way of saying "it depends on the individual."

Response by SPC Paul LaBelle made Mar 29 at 2021 11:25 AM

2021-03-29T11:25:49-04:00

Well PTSD was shell shock until
It became combat fatigue til it became PTSD...

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 29 at 2021 12:07 PM

2021-03-29T12:07:50-04:00

Most of what we are calling PTSD is actually Anxiety. It is just as serious as PTSD but calling it that denies treatment to veterans who have COMBAT RELATED PTSD

Response by LTC Scott Sossaman made Mar 30 at 2021 7:16 PM

2021-03-30T19:16:31-04:00

First, let me say that I am not a licensed clinical specialist in the matter of trauma, but PTSD is another name for any trauma suffered by an individual. Combat, sexual abuse, physical abuse, etc. are all forms of trauma. PTSD as it relates to combat can have many symptoms and depression is one of them. Survivors Guilt often produces depression because the individual often wonders, "why did I live and not the other guy(s) or gal's?" Much of what has been said here is very valid but people can suffer from clinical depression and not have had a serious traumatic event. Hence there are what some clinicians call "big traumas" and "little traumas". An example of a big trauma is killing someone or watching them be killed. A little trauma would be losing a job. Depending on the individual, they may not suffer from clinical depression at all or they could be wanting to commit suicide. I hope this adds to the discussion.