Understanding the intractability of PTSD

Curdled milk…

Nuclear explosion…

Beginning our descent into San Diego, the engineer turned to me, “A hysteretically induced iron particle knows no anguish, just ferromagnetic indifference. An iron particle is mute. It has no objections, no regrets, no despair – no feelings.”

And I replied, “In PTSD from genocide or combat or rape or domestic violence or natural disasters, feelings – such as fear, sadness, and anger – are action-enhanced protections from the perils of life-threatening circumstances. PTSD feelings are survival tactics.”

Touching down and arriving at our gate, my friend and I grabbed our carry-ons and made our way into the terminal crush. He walked with a limp. We all walk with a limp.

Dr. Kline, a former lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy’s Medical Corps, worked for more than 20 years as medical director of the PTSD Clinical Team at the VA Healthcare System, San Diego; and as a staff psychiatrist, San Diego County Mental Health. He also served as an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego.