if you can tell if it's ptsd with an mri, why don't the psychiatrists just send you for one, if they suspect ptsd? looks like it would help to know earlier.

Because MRI machines are in rare demand, expensive to use, and generally booked solid with emergency patients, and those requiring brain scans. It is rare for a doctor to book a person in for an MRI, because of the cost generally. The military could do it, because the cost of the machine they would be using towards how many people they could then prove didn't have PTSD... so for something like private organisations, military, etc, the cost of the machine is worth it for paying out soldiers compensation for something they may not actually have.

Yes very expensive. Evie was "fortunate" to get her MRI. Though it shows something going on in her brain, I don't believe it necessary to her diagnosis. To be honest, it's hurt her more than anything, because she now frets about "brain damage". The neurologist didn't have a definite explanation for us regarding the brain changes. I agree that it not an indicator of PTSD, necessarily. Just a theory like all the other cock and bull theories that change constantly.

Jim.

"Just a theory like all the other cock and bull theories that change constantly."

I actually agree with your whole post, Jim. And yeah... I think that being told you have something physically wrong with your brain just adds to the crap you already have to deal with! Maybe, in time, Evie will heal (as we all want to), and she can look back as to how far she has come and who knows, maybe one day be a powerful inspiration to others. I feel better for Evie knowing that she has you for an uncle. Thanks.

Whilst I agree with the principle behind a person not knowing about the brain changes, its not healthy for healing in general, because to heal and manage PTSD, you must know exactly what is occurring to understand WHY you must manage it. People ask me quite often, "if I heal, why do I have to manage PTSD for the rest of my life?" It is for these exact reasons that a person must come to terms with the physical changes within their brain to ensure they are truly at an acceptance stage of their illness. Its not to frighten a person, or to make them think they have brain damage, but its part of moving out of denial about what really is wrong, and into a space within yourself where you can accept things for their factual understanding, and that you cannot change some things, but instead to understand the change and know that its incurable, is to accept that you must learn effective management strategies and be prepared for a lifestyle change in order to cope with PTSD for the rest of your life.

“OIF and OEF veterans like computers,” Marmar said. “The Internet could help.”

I scanned through that post about "Air Force Times," and the last sentence caught my attention. I agree, but its also no surprise that it seems nearly everyone who has access to a computer and internet likes it, Veteran or not. I'll tell you one thing though, when I was told there was no weapon or flack vest for me at my location in Iraq, you best believe that I found a way to communicate this to my home station and my family: e-mail!

And this site (which is obviously computer driven), is about as close to socializing with anyone outside my family (and occasionally with Vet Center counselor) that I do. I appreciate it and post when I feel up to it. Thanks for the site Anthony

Permission to jump in.

LOL permission granted although not needed...

bec

I am the person who wrote "I Believe PTSD is Curable", which is posted on this website. I read Paul Valent's article, and I think it's amazing. I believe it to be totally accurate. I think PTSD is starting to give up some of it's secrets.
I had PTSD, probably since infancy. My father was a violent, rageaholic. My childhood was as miserable as it could be, and my adult life even worse. My life was full of depression, flashbacks, dysfunction, and so on, until the events I wrote about occurred.
I believe that my personal experience with PTSD, connects with Dr Valent's writing.
For the past 3 years I have tried gain understanding of what happened. This gentleman's writing is profound and accurate, in my opinion.
I will state with all the conviction and honesty I am capable of, I have been free from symptoms associated with ptsd since march 2004.

I am very glad that this has worked for you.. however, personally I need to see more than three years as a cure (nothing personal.. just my usual skeptism LOL).. as PTSD can be in the background until something whams you..

The big issue I have with the whole right vs left hand thing.. is that kinda leaves us ambidextrious people outta the picture eh?

the fish oils is very interesting though.. hmmms

bec

Ugh I had another point/thought/ thingy.. and it's gone.. LOL