Research in mice finds treatment that may protect against the condition
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comA pill to prevent PTSD? It could happen, study hints
Seeded on Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:47 AM EST (msnbc.com)
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This is good, hopeful news. Imagine how many people could benefit from this drug, including our Soldiers.
Hope your right, But as always all the IF'S and maybe's bug me. Gotta start somewhere i guess, and hope never hurt anyone. Cant say as i agree as of yet as it still is too soon to tell, but i do applaud the effort.
I don't see how this is great news. There is already a safe, non-addictive, non-lethal medicine that is known to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD. We've known this for years and yet the government is still denying access to the medicine in 35 states.
sounds like the VA and the US government wants to save some pention money, as 90% of returning veterans claim PTSD and are compensated for it. From what I have heard about the VA thier motto "Dopem Up andthrough pills at the problem."
My best friend returned home from Afghanistan and his first theropy session was a doctor who was a Pakistani National. That would be like having a Vietnam vet talking about the things he did to a Cambodian or former North Vietnamees officer. It was one of the worst ideas the VA had made when working with him and his post war reactions.
Look at the work(s) of both Humphrey Osmond and Stanislav Grof and hallucinogens. Between Holotropic Breathwork and LSD there is an answer.
Better yet -- a bullet to the head of everyone who earns a living by torturing innocent and defenseless animals. A few bullets later, they could test the pills on the survivors.
I know that there are already medications to help the symptoms of PTSD. But imagine if they can fix the problem in the brain and then long term medication won't have to be taken. It sucks to have to depend on a pill day in and day out to have a productive day.
isnt this what liquor and marijuana etc have done since the beginning of time?
Been there, done that. Wrecked marriage, injured kids. Thanks, but no thanks, anymore. There's only one way to prevent combat related PTSD, but it doesn't come in alcohol or drugs, pharmaceutical or recreational. No war.
Actually, despite bspurloc's attempt at humor, I did link to a study above that demonstrates cannabis' positive effect on PTSD.
This is indeed great news. It will be interesting to see where this research leads. I wonder if the researchers have used PET scanning to see if those chemicals actually act on the hippocampus. I am afraid though that this is the last we will hear about it.
Yes, they learned about these happy drugs for soldiers by watching 'star trek next generation' episodes. Remember the one with the soldiers who took their drugs to relieve stress?
As long as this is used in addition to current therapeutic techniques, like debriefing after trauma. The growing trend in treatment of "pop some pills and you're cured" without any form of counseling usually causes more harm than good.
agreed uncle
A part of me is appalled by this declaration of yet another PILL being used as a substitute on the part of the healthcare industry for "cheap" shorterm treatment over actual therapeutic services that naturaly takes longer to assist for those suffering from PTSD, but the patient will be far better in terms of understanding the causations of their behaviors and how to deal with them. The healthcare & big pharma industries won't be happy until pills are given for every emotional disturbance under the sun, when what often works best is good old fashioned emotional processing through talk.
The article states that the pill would hopefully be to assist in PREVENTING not in treating PTSD. If something like that could work, then they would not have to treat the condition with therapy of any kind. Re-read the article.
Court,
As Enma stated, PTSD is usually not the result of one single event. It's many small events building up until the person's glass is too full to take anymore.
And not having to "treat the condition with therapy of any kind" is naive at best, exploitive and unethical at worst.
As the wife of a Viet Nam who has suffered with PTSD for over 40 years, I am quite sceptical of "happy" pill that could fix this. He was in combat or the potential of combat on a daily basis for 13 months. Horrible things happen in war, and not just one experience, but multiple ones. So, would someone need to take this pill everyday during deployment? Every day for the rest of one's life?
I am a Vietnam vet who has suffered with P.T.S.D. just like Enma's husband has. I wish there was a pill one could take so the symptoms of P.T.S.D. could either go away or be relaxed a whole lot. I for one is going to do some follow-up research on this subject. Enma, good luck to your husband as I know just what he has been going through!!
At the risk of inviting the scorn and cheap name calling of the comment community. I have mixed feelings about this news.
It is both an honorable and terrible thing when we ask our young people to put their lives on the line of pursuit of justice and peace. However, the ultimate solution is not to treat the symptoms that come from war, but to work to establish a world where wars are less frequent. It is also important that we build a community where our youths' sacrifices are honored and where they find a community that welcomes them back.
Now before you start vilifying me, I want you to know that I am the father of a Tech Sergeant and career man in the Air Force and I would want any treatment that could help him to keep from getting PTSD. However, as in all of life every choice is ambiguous and more nuanced than can be discussed in short post on the internet.
I raise the question for your consideration. Is there anyone else out there who is having mixed feelings about this news item?
I did get a brief flash of a dystopian horror movie where everyone lives through and perpetrates violence on others and takes their morning "happy pill" so they aren't bothered by the silly emotions of guilt, regret, pain, grief, etc.
A black comedy where the character, while walking his dog, witnesses his neighbor's brains blown out inches from his own face. While cleaning the gore off his glasses he says cheerfully to himself, "Well! I'm going to have to take an extra dose for that!" He reaches in his pocket and pops a pill in his mouth, then skips along his way.
PastorMike: I am feeling the same. I don't like the idea of yet another pill to fix everything. But...I have a 16-year old who was involved in a horrible traffic accident at age 12, in which there was a fatality, and the EMTs sat her in front of a burning car; she watched the poor woman inside of it burn to death. I wish I could sue them for all of the terrible things that have happened to my daughter since then. PTSD is a nightmare. I would have paid a million $ or given an arm and leg for a pill that they could have given her to prevent it, or at least stop the chemicals from building up, so that therapy could have helped her more.
Would anyone be against a pill that stopped cancer, kidney diseases or heart ailments? Would we frown upon a pill that cured ALS, Muscular Dystraphy or polio?
As a PTSD sufferer as a result of experiences in Vietnam, I want that pill. As an aside, there was (maybe still ongoing) a study I participated in at the Dallas V.A. Hosptal where we were given a pill and went for follow up teting. Some were given the real thing and some were given a placebo. I think I was given the placebo.
I'm sorry for your PTSD, but like most things in life, there is no "magic pill" cure. Hoping for one just takes away from the reality of the situation. The real solution requires sometimes slow, but usually effective therapy and counseling.
A pill might someday help, but all people here are saying is they are leery of the all too typical "solution" to mental health issues of medication, followed up with nothing else. In most situations meds just mask symptoms instead of finding and resolving the core issues involved.
Well cool thing is, the US military has been researching this for years now. They found that when a soldier leaves a situation of extreme stress, a few massive doses of morphine will help is not eliminate PTSD.
This has been all over the Discovery channel. Just wondering why no one talks about it.
How about a pill that protects us from corrupt drug companies?
roflmaooooooooo so, so, so badly needed!
The drug that protects us from corrupt drug companies is called marijuana.
I understand that the study says it is far from being implemented upon people. However, my confusion lies with the premise that the pill is going to eliminate the effects of post traumatic stress disorder- unless if it is used over time with the right combination of supports, therapy (if needed), etc. then there is still no guarantee, in my estimation, because the disorder is most likely unique to each individual- another person or person(s) can't account for the fabrics of a person's psychological state, reactions, etc. It is more like placing appropriate pieces in place, consistently, and hoping for a positive result, I don't agree that the effects of PTSD are that predictable.
Why not use the pill 'DGTW' in the first place!
So many "experts" herein telling us that medications don't get to the root of the problem. The root of the problem is a biochemical reaction to psychosocial stress, folks.
Why do you think humanity has such a problem w/substance abuse? Because substances don't change our biochemical reality for us?
Hoorah for the development of such an advantageous medication.
If that were true, psych meds would cure everything they are prescribed for and there would be no ongoing, life long mental health issues. But we know that isn't true, and we also know there is much, much more going on with people than just biology. There is environment, behavior patterns, belief systems, thought patterns, spirituality, etc.
The medicalization of mental health is a simplistic, inaccurate, unhealthy way to look at the issue.
The guy on the top wants to sell you pills, the guy right above me wants to talk you through it all and they both want your money :)
Spybee,
I think that your generalization that therapists are out to make $$$ off people's suffering is unfair. I am a therapist and nothing in life makes me happier than when one of my clients no longer needs my services. We simply live in a monetary society and to become an educated and effective therapist takes years of training and applied experience. Since so much time is invested in this career path for the benefit of others it seems natural that we have to charge something for our services, correct? Otherwise there wouldn't BE any therapists to help others.
I agree with you Ian, 100% I just don't believe most of the population would volunteer to do what you do. There are a lot of people who do great things just because. But it seems many more want something for it. Just the impression I get, maybe I need to lay off the negative news sites, office politics and TV lol.
Therapy taught me how to deal with the bad thoughts in my head but medicine made the bad thoughts go away. I'll take a pill any day. (PTSD and bipolar diagnosed)
Hoorah my ***! There will never be a "pill" to take away PTSD. I have been through 2 clinics for PTSD and my symptoms have only gotten worse in time. Therapy will only work if the patient is ready to deal with the events in their life. Combat vets are angry and scared, we tend to blow everything out of proportion because we are still operating at such a high level of stress. It is what kept us alive in combat, but does not work in a civilized environment. I already take a hand full of pills everyday, I don't need another one filled with empty promises. It is depressing knowing that to start everyday is with a hand full of pills so you don't hurt anyone/yourself.
One pill makes you larger....
And one pill makes you small,
And the one your Government gives you.....
Doesn't do anything at all,
Go ask Alice....I think She'll Know.....
White Rabbit, Jefferson AIRPLANE, not starship.(kinda)
But seriously A pill? to Help? that would be great...But then reality sneaks in. This story is full of could's, maybe's, if's, ect. While i applaud the effort, look at the most over prescribed pills for ADDS, (attention deffiset disorder), didn't do much but teach kids that you NEED drugs, and they can "cure" anything. As far as i can see anyway. Cause and Effect.
I hear you on that one. Every kid now is diagnosed with ADHD, ADDS or something like it. They are all on prescribed medication. No need to score off of a dealer anymore.
Now I wonder what this type of medication would do for people with PTSD already.
That all sounds good but what about the soldier that has witnessed death and participated in it. How is that going to get rid of his terrible memories. I am not saying that people who suffered from a catastraphic disastor aren't suffering but that is something that happens naturally. War happens everyday of the life of a soldier in some foreign place and have to be there.
That's why this country is so f'ed up now, too much medication (aka booze and dope) usage. Smoke if ya got em!!!
what is just enough medication ?
Let's hope this is not another of the exciting experimental results that when applied either does not work or, at best, does decrease in effect.
After returning from Vietnam I experiences heightened awareness for a couple of years. When walking in the woods I became super aware of everything around me and became jumpy. Since this condition was a result of several experiences in the course of a year I don't know when I would take such a "pill". Once after the year or several times during the year.
As a person who has dealt with PTSD personally and professionally for many years I have great concern about the concept of a pill to A) prevent PTSD/Syndrome, and B)the failure to recognize the myriad elements that are part of the condition. The study was a controlled study with mice, they had one set of stimuli, if we all had one set of stimuli (think Pavlov) we'd probably be able to manage our hyper-alert states and move reactions into responses. Life doesn't quite work that way, please be wary of over-generalization on this topic. We all want a "cure" for it -- the aggregate effect as was mentioned earlier is one huge issue, the genesis is another, and lastly, the ongoing problem stimuli is just one more. And here's a question, how do you cure something before it happens? I am always hopeful for new information for those I work with, I'm just not convinced about this pill concept. A word to those who are interested, look for resiliency and build on that. Be safe, everyone.
The only application for the military to which it sounds to me would be to make drugged out soldiers that have the personalities of sociopaths thanks to said pill and have no trouble killing or torturing enemy (or civilian) combatants. When their right minds returned after getting off the pill I would imagine that remembering not having any problems committing various atrocities would be 10X worse than PTSD.
KFitz: You are Spot ON. THank You for getting involved. As a PTSD Out Patient in Northern Indiana Health Care, I must say that had it not been for staying Scared I would have not made it back from Combat. I can't imagine the outcome of a Pill that could extract that from the Human Brain prior to knowing the cause and effect. The numbers are growing in my opinion due to the amount of Tours that are expected in todays military. The fact is some of us just are not cut out to see so much distruction. A pill. Years back we were told that LSD inhances one's personality. Translation... if you were a butthead before the pill, you will only be a bigger butthead after. Sorry for rambling, but Thank You for your Comment.
As someone who sees PTSD, Anxiety AND Panic Disorders, and severe Depression every single minute of every single day, this pill may sound oh so great, but the reality is that these disorders and conditions are WAY more complex then the scientists are making them out to be. So thank you KFitz for pointing the simple incongruity of this out. It just doesn't work that way in real life; though I wish on a daily basis it did! I watch my husband suffer and try to deal as best he can, but its a constant struggle. I miss his laughter the most, so when I can get him to 'LOL', it just makes my day! I've kept my sense of humor (for the most part), and the weird thing is, he says that MY humor is part of what keeps him trying, trying to cope, to deal, to live with these things. I try to find humor in the every-day things, and point them out to him.....i.e. a lady wearing open-toed high heels in this freezing Alaskan weather with 8+ inches of snow on the ground! Or the kids stomping around upstairs and I call them elephants or kangaroos or WWE wrestlers. My best advice is to tell the family members to stay upbeat and find the absurdities of life to laugh about. Don't force it, but just keep making little comments here and there. 'That shade of purple/green/yellow looks bruising' or 'Can I take your order please? I'm so hungry that I can't make up my mind!' Including them in the conversation, making comments to them directly, keeps them involved, even if they just look at you funny or roll their eyes. Staying connected/involved in day-to-day activities/family life/life in general is a small step that can be taken by all involved and its a big part of helping them 'get well'. (And yes, I know the bruising comment might sound stupid, but if the person has a dry sense of humor....well, it could work for some people.) May sound overly simplistic to some people, but laughter really can be the best medicine.
So, here's to hoping that better, more realistic options are pursued and developed.
Oh, and yes he's got professional care and meds, but those only go so far without the positive support of family and friends.
Sorry, what I meant to say (corrections in italics).....
As someone who sees PTSD, Anxiety AND Panic Disorders, and severe Depression every single minute of every single day, this pill and the science behind it may sound oh so great to some of you, but the reality is that these disorders and conditions are WAY more complex then the scientists are making them out to be.
It has taken nearly a decade of war--and the lack of a cure for Posttraumatic stress disorder----to get officials to study the benefits of giving service animals to mentally ailing soldiers and veterans. (time magazine--November 22 2001)
Dog, ahhhhh..Mans best friend indeed. the love and nurturing a service animal can bring to some one that suffers carries no side-effects, except for love. Needs not be tested for year on laboratory rats for use, and there is a huge supply of "ready-dogs" at our local shelters.
The likelihood of a pill being as therapeutic fix and without fallout? Not so much.
One problem I see however WITH the Dogs being used is: a service animal could be given to a person with dyslexia, and when some asked him about his dog, he MIGHT say: This is my God (dog spelled backward) creating a firestorm from religious zealots....who could THEN be given: "The pill"
I'm all for "Hounds for heroes" and "Pets 2 vets" Read the article...it's fascinating! If service veterans can't wait years for a pill to be approved by the FDA, and they need help NOW? this might be well worth looking into~
Jim Stanek, who ended three tours in Iraq (with PTSD)
Now runs Paws and Strips in; Albuquerque new Mexico, pairing dogs with mentally ailing vets (Time Magazine November Issue 2010) Check it out!! Beautiful piece of information.
"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards."
- Theodore Roosevelt
http://search.aol.com/aol/search?s_it=comsearchaim&q=paws+and+stripes
whoops that was: NOVEMBER 22, 2010, not 2001. sorry for the typo
I agree on mans best-friend. I got a dog (not God) and he has helped me to calm down...along with my pills. But unfortunately, not everyone is an animal lover. Too bad, because I wouldn't know what to do without my dog.
Oh, great, and what will the side effects of such a pill be in the future? Let's look at the bigger picture and work to end wars and the social inequities that cause the violence. Everything can't be solved with the next pill! Attrocities of war need to be felt, remembered, and never committed again.
WW1 was the war fought to end all wars; what ever happened to that notion? Let the polititians take turns fighting on the battlefield along side our military and consigned militia. When their own number was going to come up, I have a feeling it might just change their "wisdom" about why we are fighting these wars in the first place.
Peace on Earth. Goodwill towards men!
I'm sorry but we seem to be stuck on the subject of military men and woman suffering from PTSD. A pill such as this that needs to be given daily to avoid a possible case may not be practical or advisable (nor does it sound as if this is the intended use). However there are plenty of people suffering from this disorder who are victims of violent crimes. Horrific instances in life that could be treated in part with a pill to prevent the alterations that occur in the brain as a result. We use a combination of medication and therapy in psychiatry all the time. I heard no mention in the article indicating people who have these experiences should not recieve therapy after the fact. The article also stated the whole picture is not yet known that it is mearly a promising possibility. The negetivity I'm reading here is a bit suprising. The science behind it does sound good to some of us. It sounds promising and makes sense. I don't see it as a cure all or the perfect answer. I do understand it is a complex disorder. But there was no indication from this article that the pill would be given on a daily basis to soldiers turning them into mindless killing machines. WOW talk about wild conjecture. As to the doubt that such a pill could cure someone who has been dealing with PTSD since the viet nam war it doesn't sound like that is the intended purpose. The whole idea is to administer the pill prior to the physical changes occuring in the brain that are associated with PTSD. It doesn't indicate it can be given to correct the damage once it is done. So for those of us who have been struggling with this for years this probably wont be a treatment option for us. But why would you be so opposed to the possibility of preventing it from happening to someone else?
It has taken nearly a decade of war--and the lack of a cure for Posttraumatic stress disorder----to get officials to study the benefits of giving service animals to mentally ailing soldiers and veterans. (time magazine--November 22 2001)
Dog, ahhhhh..Mans best friend indeed. the love and nurturing a service animal can bring to some one that suffers carries no side-effects, except for love. Needs not be tested for year on laboratory rats for use, and there is a huge supply of "ready-dogs" at our local shelters.
The likelihood of a pill being as therapeutic fix and without fallout? Not so much.
One problem I see however WITH the Dogs being used is: a service animal could be given to a person with dyslexia, and when some asked him about his dog, he MIGHT say: This is my God (dog spelled backward) creating a firestorm from religious zealots....who could THEN be given: "The pill"
I'm all for "Hounds for heroes" and "Pets 2 vets" Read the article...it's fascinating! If service veterans can't wait years for a pill to be approved by the FDA, and they need help NOW? this might be well worth looking into~
Jim Stanek, who ended three tours in Iraq (with PTSD)
Now runs Paws and Strips in; Albuquerque new Mexico, pairing dogs with mentally ailing vets (Time Magazine November Issue 2010) Check it out!! Beautiful piece of information.
"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards."
- Theodore Roosevelt
http://search.aol.com/aol/search?s_it=comsearchaim&q=paws+and+stripes
Echo---maybe the dyslexic people could just say, "This is my friend", & let it go at that.
I know, your right. It was a feeble attempt at humor. I'm sorry if it offended anyone~
This is great news! I particularly like the end of the article where they reassert that immediate therapy also helps.
I wish therapy was readily available & encouraged for mothers who experience traumatic childbirth. What many don't realize is that even if mom & baby are "healthy", after the fact, the mother may still experience PTSD, which can lead to severe postpartum depression and failure to attach to her child.
We have this romantic notion of the "beauty of childbirth", and often this issue is not taken seriously by either the woman's doctor, or her family.
I experienced this myself, and it wasn't until several years (and another child) later that I finally went to therapy and was properly diagnosed with PTSD and began treatment. All those years in an emotional desert of guilt could be prevented for other mothers...
I am sure they can,t help some one who has it forty years to live fear every day you don,t know if you were going to be the one who gets it I live every doy the same I go to VA for help
What happened to the buttons we could use to hide or get rid of obnoxious comments?
just walk in our shoes for forty years with it
Not being a mouse, I think the pill for PTSD is more snake oil to be used by the Government to avoid real treatment for combat active duty and Veterans. I did two tours of Vietnam (Infantry/Helicopter Crew Chief) and forty five years later nothing has gone away in my mind about the combat traumas.