BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
When analyzing PTSD, we focus on how genetics can impact the individual suffering. The epigenome, which is primarily the study of heritable changes that are not caused by changes in DNA, responds to its environment and is important in controlling stress hormones. A study at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine discovered that Holocaust survivors and their children’s cortisol levels were different than other populations (Moore). Focusing on this research, we’re able to see that trauma actually does pass through to offspring, which includes memory problems; thus populations or individuals can be predisposed to PTSD. The Raul Andero Gali is quoted in an article stating, “if the expression of the gene is not working properly, it may cause alterations in fear processing, which may lead to PTSD development,” (Carlson). Furthermore, the environment that causes these stressors has an effect on the individuals. Any trauma can then be triggers, which impairs the ability for the brain to handle stress in any capacity. Sufferers of PTSD have various reactions to the stressors experienced in their environment to cope. As seen in the chart above, there are many factors that can contribute to PTSD. This approach helps medical anthropologists better understand what triggers PTSD in some but not others, even with the possibility of being hardwired the same way. |
ECOLOGICAL APPROACH
The Ecological approach in medical anthropology focuses on the interaction between people, animals, plants and natural resources. The common goal of humans and their ecosystem is to maintain homeostasis. The balance can be impacted by modern human adaptations such as technology. The environment has three major components, which are biotic elements, abiotic elements and cultural elements. Biotic elements are the sources of food, building materials, predators and vectors. Abiotic elements include climate, solar energy and inorganic materials. Finally, cultural elements include humans systems (McElroy). When looking at PTSD, let’s look at the evolutionary perspectives on disease. Darwinism medicine, which is based on the theory of natural selection, shows genetic variation showing resistance to infection, accommodation and environmental constraints. Random mutation traits prove beneficial to environments over many generations. The acclimation to climate, altitude, food availability, environmental hazards and disease has resulted in Darwinism fitness. Since we’ve learned that PTSD has the possibility to be passed down through generations, is it possible to acclimate to these behavioral traits and increase one’s fitness? It’s possible but has not been studied enough to say for sure. |
CASE STUDY
Dr. John Burton from Johns Hopkins University did research in geriatric education. This case study focuses on a 90-year-old woman that was a patient of the Beacham Ambulatory Care Center. The patient took care of her husband but he passed away in 2000. She was very distraught and emotional after his death. In 2002, her house was broken into and she was raped and robbed. A year after the rape she was still very ill emotionally and just continued to get worse. She ended up on medication for psychosis and her symptoms improved.
This patient suffered one of many traumatic events that happen to the elderly. Some examples of these events include: rape, criminal assault, severe accident, natural disaster, etc.
Reports have been increasing as shown in the chart above. It could be because we actually know what the diagnosis is now compared to 50 or 60 years ago. Also, we have better resources to help out with awful events like rape (Burton).
Dr. John Burton from Johns Hopkins University did research in geriatric education. This case study focuses on a 90-year-old woman that was a patient of the Beacham Ambulatory Care Center. The patient took care of her husband but he passed away in 2000. She was very distraught and emotional after his death. In 2002, her house was broken into and she was raped and robbed. A year after the rape she was still very ill emotionally and just continued to get worse. She ended up on medication for psychosis and her symptoms improved.
This patient suffered one of many traumatic events that happen to the elderly. Some examples of these events include: rape, criminal assault, severe accident, natural disaster, etc.
Reports have been increasing as shown in the chart above. It could be because we actually know what the diagnosis is now compared to 50 or 60 years ago. Also, we have better resources to help out with awful events like rape (Burton).
REFERENCES
Burton, M.D., John. "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed August 9, 2014. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gec/studies/ptsd.html.
Carlson, Megan. "Gene May Link to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Researchers Say." Medill Reports Chicago. June 5, 2013. Accessed August 4, 2014. http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=222681.
"Evaluation of Physical Activity Habits in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." Open I Beta. Accessed August 14, 2014. http://openi.nlm.nih.gov/detailedresult.php?img=2664122_cln63_4p0473f1&req=4.
McElroy, Ann. "Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives." In Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology, 31-37. No ed. 2004.
Moore, Michael Scott. "Can PTSD Become Hereditary?" Pacific Standard: The Science of Society. July 13, 2011. Accessed August 6, 2014. http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/can-ptsd-become-hereditary-33703/.
Burton, M.D., John. "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed August 9, 2014. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gec/studies/ptsd.html.
Carlson, Megan. "Gene May Link to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Researchers Say." Medill Reports Chicago. June 5, 2013. Accessed August 4, 2014. http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=222681.
"Evaluation of Physical Activity Habits in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." Open I Beta. Accessed August 14, 2014. http://openi.nlm.nih.gov/detailedresult.php?img=2664122_cln63_4p0473f1&req=4.
McElroy, Ann. "Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives." In Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology, 31-37. No ed. 2004.
Moore, Michael Scott. "Can PTSD Become Hereditary?" Pacific Standard: The Science of Society. July 13, 2011. Accessed August 6, 2014. http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/can-ptsd-become-hereditary-33703/.