As a professional courtesy to our fellow non-profit which shares the views of Honor for ALL concerning the elimination of harmful words we ask that you consider the following appeal from Erase PTSD Now

Shell shock gave way to battle fatigue, which gave way to Post Vietnam Syndrome before the label of PTSD (for post-traumatic stress disorder) was coined in 1980 for severe, trauma-related symptoms among veterans of military engagement. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) added PTSD to the third edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). And while the recognition was monumentally important more than 40 years ago, the time for a shift — from “disorder” to “injury” — is long overdue.

The unintentional effect of diagnosing post-traumatic stress as a “disorder” continues to carry with it a stigma and shame — a perception shared by society at-large — which has proven to discourage survivors from seeking treatment. As mentioned above, suicide and lives led in misery often are the result.

The time has come to change the current classification / diagnosis of PTSD to PTSI. The once “invisible“ wounds of brain injury following psychological trauma can now be OBSERVED in the brains of people diagnosed with post-traumatic stress using advanced imaging technology and, thus, should be considered an “injury.” The model of a “disorder” does not consider the latest, widely accepted neuroscience developments. From a scientific perspective, the “D” in PTSD is clearly outdated.

Severe, psychological trauma doesn’t discriminate. In addition to our military veterans, millions of survivors are ravaged by its symptoms, caused by exposure to scarring violence and violation. The CDC states that 20 percent of people who experience a traumatic event WILL develop post-traumatic stress. And study after study about the effects of post-traumatic stress makes it resoundingly clear that, the millions of people accounting for this 20 percent, are significantly more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Thus, the consideration to change the name from PTSD to PTSI carries with it the weight of immense consequences for survivors, and for the medical treatment they deserve.

On June 9, 2023, a formal request to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) was submitted by Dr. Eugene Lipov for consideration to the next update of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The APA makes changes to the DSM, as warranted by advances in science and study. Thankfully, the APA has recently adopted a “continuous improvement” model for updating the DSM, aided by digital publishing. Thus, the changes we request may be rapid.

The following petition seeks to enact a change in the way medical and mental health practitioners construct the diagnosis of, and subsequent treatment for, psychological trauma.

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/end-the-stigma-ptsi-not-ptsd

YOU CAN HELP

SIGN THIS PETITION and encourage others who are affected by post-traumatic stress to sign, as well. The weight of this “movement for change” will play a critical part influencing the medical establishment.

WRITE THE APA: Consider writing a personal, heartfelt request to change the name to PTSI, and send it to Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., APA’s President, and to the APA’s Steering Committee.