Can PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) be deadly?

Question

See, this has really caught my attention, and I was just wondering if it's possible for someone to die from it.

Like, has anyone ever been cured from this? Is it possible?

I really do want to know, so if you can help me, please help me.

thanks! :)

Answer 1

Some people commit suicide as a result of post traumatic stress. That would make it quite deadly.

Seeing a therapist can alleviate the problems, and over time make them go away. Just like any other mental problem it can reoccur...but there are plenty of people who are treated and do not have significant relapses.

Prolonged stress can also have a very negative effect on a persons heart.

Answer 2

Unfortunately with psychological ailments, it's not really an illness/cure situation. While psychiatric things like clinical depression or even some folks with ADHD, Bipolar, etc. can be "evened out" so to speak, and you could call that a cure, it's not the case with something like PTSD.

Basically, it takes being with a therapist, and really unrooting everything that has happened and understanding the effects in your current life that are related to whatever caused the PTSD and working through that.

In many ways, you're always recovering, so in that way, I would say no, there isn't a cure. But on the other hand, many people get to a point where they lead a normal life without the effects of PTSD becoming apparent from day to day, so in that way, I would say it could be "cured" for lack of better wording.

As far as a person being able to die from this, no. It may be possible for a person to be so strongly effected and not receive any help that they take their own life, but even that would be relatively rare without some sort of accompanying psychiatric ailments. But there isn't a psychological issue that will cause your body and brain to simply shut down, no.

Answer 3

Depression can be MANAGED not cured, bi polar can be MANAGED not cured----PTSD can be MANAGED it is too soon to know for CERTAIN if it can be actually CURED... however, of COURSE it can be deadly----Think about someone in the throws of PTSD who VISUALIZES that he is back in IRAQ or even VIETNAM and there are enemy forces all around.... the PTSD patient COULD in all actually believe he is being attacked and ATTACK BACK ----maybe hitting his WIFE thinking SHE is a VIET CONG .. or a militant Iraqi coming for HIM!!!!! Someone with PTSD COULD snap and not realize he's in his own HOME and before you know it he's hurt OR KILLED an innocent family member who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time---and the PATIENT could not help doing what he DID. It would all depend on the SEVERITY of the PTSD...

Answer 4

The condition itself isn't deadly, but the sufferer's actions can be. My husband had horrible problems after coming home from the war. He once had a flashback and thought he was in enemy territory and climbed to the top of a tree to hide, which could have killed him had he fallen. Some men with severe PTSD commit suicide or kill others in a flashback or in fits of rage (one time, my husband grabbed me in his sleep, actually a couple of times). Some engage in very risky behavior because they have the feeling that they will die soon anyway. It's not like they say to themselves, "I'm going to die tomorrow anyway, might as well..." They just don't see life in the future, it doesn't even cross their minds. This is especially true of men/women who have combat-related PTSD.

Answer 5

PTSD has no cure for it because it contracts with a persons neurological system. this is the same for epillepsy. PTSD is a disorder and can be treated with medicine and just talking withthe patient. You can die from this because PTSD can interefere with the actions and responses to stress or anger and cause higher risk of strokes heart attacks etc.

Answer 6

I think it would be easy for someone to die from a "trip" or "effect" from PTSD. For example, a man I once knew was in the Iraqi Republican Guard. During his years serving, he went through a lot of trauma. Later, when he was released from service (long story!) he had PTSD and had a "trip" where he held hostage a neighbor, thinking it was an enemy, when he was surrounded, he took his life thinking that others would do it if he didn't. So, indirectly, PTSD can cause death.

Answer 7

The only way PTSD can be deadly is if it leads to suicide. It is possible to be 'cured' and actually there are many different types of PTSD, most of which are not chronic conditions. If you have any other questions on the subject, I'll be happy to answer them as best I can.

Answer 8

Death is unlikely, unless there is something like a heart condition, or suicide, of course, but the length and quality of life may well be reduced considerably. One of the experienced, practising therapists who drops in here regularly has stated that it can actually be cured. See PTSD at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 6. Avoid Dianetics: it is an offshoot of Scientology, which is itself scientifically unsound, and a ripoff!

Answer 9

In a nutshell, It's all about money (and social stigma perpetuated by the government and people who don't know better.). It was made illegal back in the day because of the medicinal and industrial uses of the plant. Many prominent businessmen didn't want the competition. In the modern day, In order for a politician to campaign he/she has to have financial backers. These backers are rich people or corporate interests who's campaign contribution will insure that their interests are upheld by this politician. Since the legalization of marijuana will threaten so many industries, politicians are always trying to put it down.

Answer 10

PTSD is not deadly in it self. Depression is a symptom of PTSD. Severe depression can lead to suicide if it is not treated.
I believe PTSD is a life long illness, there is no cure.