Soldier's Heart
CIVIL WAR
The term Soldier’s Heart was used to describe combat stress as physicians inaccurately believed symptoms were a result of cardiovascular ailment.
History of PTSD
EPIZELUS AT THE BATTLE OF MARATHON
Epizelus was an athenian spear soldier during the Battle of Marathon (490 BC). After witnessing his comrade killed in battle, he went blind.
It is believed his blindness was from emotional trauma. Epizelus’ condition is considered to be one of the first documented cases of war related PTSD.
TimeLine
PTSD Through the DecADES
By the 18th century physicians became increasingly aware of the stress soldiers were experiencing during war. However they attributed it to exhaustion or simply being homesick or suffering from "Nostalgia"
Shell Shock
World War I
Shell Shock would be the term used to describe the symptoms by the first World War.
Battle Fatigue
World War II
By the second World War, physicians began to understand the symptoms and tested new methods to treat Battle Fatigue.
PTSD
Vietnam
By 1980, only five years after the Vietnam War, was PTSD officially recognized as a mental health condition.
PTSD in the 21st century
September 11
Many non-military Americans would develop a deeper understanding of PTSD on September 11th, 2001 as they suffered from the condition themselves in the years following that horrific day. Especially those closest to the attacks.
TBI & PTSD
After 9/11
While civilians slowly recovered from the trauma of the 9/11 attacks, our nation's bravest men and women endured countless deployments during the longest war in American history. Symptoms of PTSD would be further complicated from an increase in Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) due to enemy tactics that relied heavily on remotely triggered explosives.
Epizelus organization
How we help
Epizelus Organization, through its understanding of the historical significance of PTSD, recognizes that this condition has endured for centuries, affecting individuals from all walks of life, including the most courageous and resilient among us.
Despite it being a centuries old condition, there is no cure.
But…
There is hope.