October 24, 2018

"The 'trauma' inflicted by the 2016 election, while incredibly distressing, would not meet Criterion A for a diagnosis of PTSD (must have suffered or witnessed a trauma that was life threatening)."

"And so while these researchers (or article writer) might prefer to compare the subsequent emotional fallout to 'PTSD,' (and while the term PTSD is getting thrown around for everything under the sun these days) they undermine the argument and their intention by using a term that carries such a specific meaning. As for whether or not people are too sensitive these days, why don't you ask the NY Times, who can't seem to get enough ink writing articles about poor misunderstood economically anxious trump voters."

That's the top-rated comment on "A quarter of college students could develop PTSD because of the 2016 election, a new study suggests" (WaPo).

55 comments:

Fernandinande said...

Sailer dates the beginning of the craziness to 2013 -

"Above are a couple of informative graphs showing how extremist Democrats became on the key issues of race and immigration after Obama won re-election. A central question about our time is: Why did Democrats go nuts in c. 2013?

A second question is whether Democratic ideological extremism is related to the apparent rise in psychological problem around 2013. And which causes what?

I offered one possible explanation in Taki’s Magazine in my review of Haidt and Lukianoff’s The Coddling of the American Mind."

Shouting Thomas said...

So, if our hyper-sensitive peers are really, really, really offended that their candidate lost, that somehow tarnishes President Trump?

I say, go ahead and be traumatized, but you lost any way, suckers.

Maillard Reactionary said...

If they think that was traumatic, wait until they have to get a job.

Wince said...

I'd argue the trauma has been inflicted since the 2016 election, with most of that being self-inflicted by the left.

Tommy Duncan said...

When I was in college we were stressed out trying to decide which brand of beer to buy. What a bunch of Nancy Boys.

Michael K said...

Thank god the draft has ended. Can anyone imagine all these cowards in the military ?

I'm rereading, after about 10 years, Ed Rasimus" book, "When Thunder Rolled" about his missions in Vietnam as an F 105 pilot.

They went "downtown" every day. His first chapters are about his fear and how he finally was able to overcome it.

The day he arrived at his squadron in Thailand, he learned that seven pilots had been lost that week.

Great book but brings up the cowards that fill our universities, not all female.

Bay Area Guy said...

These kids are weak. And they are mostly leftist and ignorant.

Michael K said...

Sadly I just learned that Rasimus is gone on.

He did two tours in Vietnam, one in F 105s and the second in F 4s.

Mike said...

This is just bad science reporting by the media. What happened in the study was that they gave an IES test to a bunch of psych students shortly after the election and a quarter showed clinically significant signs of stress. IES can be used as part of a PTSD diagnosis but doesn't actually diagnose it. In fact, the study doesn't mention PTSD at all.

So:

Reality: a study of college student showed about a quarter were a bit stressed when asked about the election, which makes them like everyone else.

Media Spin: ONE IN FOUR MILLENNIALS HAS PTSD BECAUSE TRUMP!!!

Disgraceful.

Lucid-Ideas said...

Whoa yeah it does!?!?

PTSD. Post Trump Snowflake Disorder

JaimeRoberto said...

This is just bad science reporting by the media.

Bad, or deliberately misleading, or even fake?

tim in vermont said...

If giving their supporters and followers PTSD is what it takes to regain power, the Democrats are damn well gonna do it.

Sarah from VA said...

I've been listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast, working my way through Countdown to Armageddon, his series on World War 1. I recently listened to his description of the battle of Passchendaele, where the mud was so deep and thick and pervasive that soldiers drowned in it, and more soldiers drowned trying to rescue their comrades. Eventually they learned to just shoot a fellow once he was hip-deep in mud, because that was better than slowly sinking and going mad as you died.

But, yeah, sure, the election of somebody with whom you disagree will give you PTSD, too. Same same.

n.n said...

There was the violence before, during, and after inauguration. If there was ever a time for an independent monitor, that would have been it.

fivewheels said...

This is just bad science reporting by the media.

However, all other science "reporting" you see in the media is sacrosanct and unassailable. You filthy deniers.

JohnAnnArbor said...

Beyond parody.

Luke Lea said...

Below I quote one of the comments that caught my eye. It describes how my sister, a former law clerk on the California Supreme Court and Brown graduate, honestly feels, as does my best friend, Richard. And my twin brother won't even speak to me anymore! This is terrible situation because I don't know how to respond to them.

"Interesting: as a now 64 year old, I witnessed Watergate, violent anti-Vietnam War protests, the political assassinations of both Kennedys and MLK, plus the battle for equality of people of color and women. All while a high school and college student. It was a frightening time in the US. My boyfriend got drafted. I voted the first year 18 year olds could vote and ever since. Believe me: none of that can hold a candle to the stress I felt on 2016 election night, and particularly the days and months after the election. Watching a single political party with questionable objectives and agendas and under the influence of foreign power take over the future of our country is still terrifying real this very morning. As a friend and I discussed the other day: "I never want to feel like that again" referencing the morning after. It changed the person I am. The fear and yes, rage, have been in the forefront of my thoughts every single day. I am disappointed in my fellow Americans, fear for my future SS and particularly medicare, and worry for the polluted and hostile country my grandchildren will be expected to accept and live in. PTSD may not be the correct clinical term, and it's not only college kids. It's a mental condition that is not pleasant and does interfere with daily life. I even left a job because I could no longer respect the folks I worked with and for because of their politics and support of trump. "

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Hey leftists - you wanna win again? Ditch the clintons. I know it's hard because you love their money grubbing ability, but ditch them. It's time

Shouting Thomas said...

"Questionable agendas and policies" = disagrees with her. Who told her she's entitled to win?

The hostile foreign power thing is utter bullshit.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...


"Blogger Sarah from VA said...
I've been listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast, working my way through Countdown to Armageddon"

I don't love all of Carlin's stuff as there's no doubt that the dude loves the sound of his own voice, but the Countdown to Armageddon series just may be the greatest piece of history-related podcasting there is.

Shouting Thomas said...

I can't say for certain, Luke, but it appears to me that this is a phenomenon common to lefty women.

They largely abandoned religion, but they haven't abandon the belief built into them by centuries of religious tradition that they are the guardians of public morals.

So, they've transferred that role into the politcal realm and imagine that their political preferences equal some sort of moral imperative.

Birkel said...

I have witnessed violence visited upon people in close proximity. I have seen violent ends of real humans. I have seen homes and people on fire. I have seen gun play and knife fights.

So I can totes appreish how these snowflake NPCs were upset by a dispreferred political result.

tim in vermont said...

Remember the Great Leap Forward when parents swapped children so that they didn't have to eat family in their starvation? Trump is worse.

BUMBLE BEE said...

Funny that she worried about losing her medicare, as the Soetoro kid stripped $3/4 trillion for his legacy Obamacare giveaway scheme.

tim in vermont said...

Remember the Ukraine where Stalin unleashed the famine and treated them so brutally that to this day they view the Nazis as liberators? Trump is worse.

JaimeRoberto said...

But, yeah, sure, the election of somebody with whom you disagree will give you PTSD, too. Same same.

My son has complained about anxiety, though not related to the election. I think the "need" to always be on social media has a lot to do with it.

Anyway, when I hear that stuff I get confused. My son has a stable family and doesn't need to worry about where his next meal is coming from. (Putting on my old man voice) When I was a kid inflation was in double digits, we had to wait in line for gas, and my dad had long stretches of unemployment. That's fairly stressful, but it's nothing compared to my parents' generation.

My dad had was 17 when we dropped the bomb. It must have been pretty stressful wondering if you are going to be drafted to go land on a Japanese beach. One grandfather lost his business when WW2 started because he couldn't get building materials. During the Depression my other grandfather had a hard time finding work, so they'd spend the summers living in the wilderness fishing for their dinner. Our neighbor was an Okie who lived in a boxcar when she was a kid.

Even all that is pretty easy compared to his friend's grandma who grew up in East Prussia during WW2 and had to flee westward to escape the advancing Russian army. In the process they lost her 5 year old brother, though they eventually were reunited.

You want stress? That was stress. Now toughen up, buttercup, and get off my lawn.

Michael K said...

I even left a job because I could no longer respect the folks I worked with and for because of their politics and support of trump.

Those sales clerk jobs at Hobby Lobby are stressful.

Michael K said...

Even all that is pretty easy compared to his friend's grandma who grew up in East Prussia during WW2 and had to flee westward to escape the advancing Russian army. In the process they lost her 5 year old brother, though they eventually were reunited.

I had a friend in residency who was an ortho resident. He had grown up in Germany during the war,

When he ate an apple, he did not ignore the core. He ate right through it and left only the seeds. Maybe he ate those too.

He said an apple in Germany in 1945 was too good to leave any of it uneaten.


n.n said...

Great Leap Forward when parents swapped children

To be fair, one-child was a more honest policy than selective-child. Also, the former reflected the moral choice of a minority, not normalization in the general population.

Anthony said...

Seriously. Only a major war will make these people learn the true meaning of suffering and trauma.

Curious George said...

I weep for our future...

Fabi said...

Which part was incredibly distressing? Cancelling the fireworks or the CGI glass ceiling listed "as-new" on Craig's List?

rehajm said...

...you ask the NY Times, who can't seem to get enough ink writing articles about poor misunderstood economically anxious trump voters.

I have no idea what this means- NY Times is writing multiple articles about Trump voters anxious anout the economy? Really? Have they ever written one? I do recall countless articles about righteous Obama voters anxious about their economic positon because ‘people’ weren’t helping Obama...

ccscientist said...

The things they claim will/are the result of Trump are totally in fantasy land. Where are the reporters being thrown in jail? The death camps? Who is committing violence besides Antifa? Bill Clinton was in favor of a wall and so was Obama. Funny thing. These people are so pampered that mere ideas freak them out. They have never gone hungry, been at risk for hypothermia, watched someone die, been flooded out, been mugged. easy easy life and it makes you weak. Read AntiFragile.

wildswan said...

This will help with SPTSD. (Snowflake PTSD)

When you see a person being surrounded in restaurant and shouted at and threatened because Trump, go over and edge in between the shouters and the shoutees. Then, keeping your hands below your waist, reason in a calm voice with the the shouters. Pointing out American rights and so on. This is what non-violence is. It restores social order because the attacked cease to be isolated while the attackers are not threatened such that they become even more angry and unreasonable and inclined to lash out. As you know Martin Luther King, John Lewis, the people who sat-in at restaurants and all other civil rights heroes did the same thing. You will admire them more than ever and can think realistically about what they did and read up on it - which is better than sitting your living room thinking up a future to fear and relatives to hate. And so non-violence as well as healing divisions in civil society (between people who have to live together) can also cure SPTSD.

tim in vermont said...

The Black Book of Trumpism grows thicker every day.

JML said...

Wildswan. I might be willing to do that if I have a concealed carry permit. And am armed at the time.

Ken B said...

Infantile. Other people get to vote. Sometimes they don’t agree with you who to vote for. Pretending that’s an affront, an offense, an attack, a trauma is denying them the right to disagree with you.

todd galle said...

Mike K.-
We had a great family friend, we called him Uncle Horst. He was a German Jew hidden by an isolated farm family from 44-45 while he was a pre-teen in Northern Germany. He did the same with all food. It all went down, seeds and all, and every plate was cleaned. He and his wife had a fairly secluded house near farms in eastern PA, and would always have numerous beagles lost to hunting parties. We once had 14 beagles in our house when I was wee. Haven't ever wanted such a thing ever since.

Cath said...

I wonder if this crazy equating of hurt feelings with actual trauma ties back somehow to the intensive anti-bullying education kids get in school now. My kids are HS/college age and have had it drilled into them since grade school that being mean to others on social media is tantamount to violence, because it can drive the bullied kids to depression, suicide, etc. I'd say that anti-bullying education may be a good thing overall, but I can also see how it's leading young people to conflate being exposed to distasteful or unwelcome words with actually being harmed somehow. I guess that's how they understand society's rules as they are currently being taught.

Not that that explains the older generation freaking out...

Paul said...

OMG.... I went through college back when we didn't have the internet... no cell phone... no twitter... Just pocket calculators! Actually used books and chalk board!!! AHHHH the PTSD I must have! The stress!

Yet I graduated and went on to work in the computer industry for over 35 years (yes a programmer!)

And these snowflakes have PTSD??? Hell I survived Candy Ass Carter and Dollar Bill Clinton!

Wussies.

narciso said...

It's not good for anyone:

http://invisibleserfscollar.com/

In fact there is a correlation between anti bullying curriculum and likely school shooters

TrespassersW said...

Shorter NYT commenter: "Oh, grow the f*ck up, you pansies!"

GatorNavy said...

I am going to pitch Butthurt cream to Maybelline and make a buck off of these fools

DanTheMan said...

>>I wonder if this crazy equating of hurt feelings with actual trauma ties back somehow to the intensive anti-bullying education kids get in school now.

It's not just in schools. We get it in the corporate world, too. And we are taught there is no objective standard or test for bullying: If someone feels bullied, then they have been bullied.

And, once accused, it's always the "bully" who must change his or her behavior. There is no defense. The fact that someone accused you means you are guilty.

I have not yet learned to love Big Brother.

Yancey Ward said...

I nearly died from schadenfreude in November 2016. I still feel the aftereffects.

Danno said...

Yancey, me too. (Not that #MeTwo.)

stlcdr said...

Not that that explains the older generation freaking out...

There was a time when actual newspapers had minimal bias in their reporting, that one was able to see the facts of a situation. You relied on the printed word for news and information. Relying on the newspaper replacements, today, is what has happened to a lot of older people.

stlcdr said...

Further, things happened around the country, around the globe, that literally did not affect your life. Today, those same things - we are told - will completely change everything you know and do. You are convinced, because it is not just in the (what you believe to be)reputable media - again because they tell you they are reputable and unbiased - but friends, relatives, blogs and other 'media'. Your whole life becomes consumed with these events.

But...is trump real? Is he the president? I've never met him. I've heard of him. But is he doing something, anything, which affects my day to day life in any meaningful way?

JAORE said...

No wonder they are stressed. Pulling out of the Paris Climate Change accords? Certain death. Negotiating with the NORKS? Certain death in a cloud of radiation. Securing the border? Certain death at the hands of the (new and improved) KKK. Possible stopping of government funding of birth control? Lingering death as a Handmaiden forced to service Senator Cruz.

Me? I'm pretty stress free. 401(k) doing well. Lots of help wanted ads around, not that I want or need a job at this time of my life. Our youngest got a promotion and pay raise. Extra income rolls in every month due to tax break.

On the other hand, I did NOT win the Megamillions.

We are DOOOOOOOMED! Someone fetch me a blankie.

John henry said...

Sarah,

I've loved Dan Carlin's hardcore history podcasts for years. I've probably read more than a normal person should about ww1 and it's horrors

The 3 minutes he spends describing a soldier slowly sinking into the mud over several days impressed me as the single most horrifying story I have heard about that war.

I doubt a week goes by that it doesn't flit through my mind at the most unlikely times.

Madison's own Mike Duncan does a weekly series of podcasts on revolutions (england, france, us, south America. Currently mexico) I can't decide who I like more, dan or duncan.

John Henry

Henry said...

When everyone has PTSD nobody has PTSD. I wish that were true. When everyone has PTSD, everyone has PTSD.

Which reminds of one of those late-night college bull sessions in which my theatre-psych major friend tried to convince us that we all were already clinically insane.

Rick.T. said...

stlcdr said...

"But...is trump real? Is he the president? I've never met him. I've heard of him. But is he doing something, anything, which affects my day to day life in any meaningful way?"

He's real and he's spectacular! All kidding aside, I knew there was something going on early in the election campaign - before he even has SS protection - when he came to our town in middle TN. There were 500 tickets available for free. When we got to the place, we had to park a quarter mile away. The lines snaked around forever. We never got anywhere near getting in. We were able to listen to the rally on some speakers they had set up outside the hall. Near the end, he said that he understood that hundreds were not able to get in so he would be going outside to say a few words to those people. We guessed right on the exit and were about 10 feet from him. He talked another half hour or so. I'll never forget it.

The Crack Emcee said...

So, does this mean I can go back to smacking them around, while screaming, "Snap out of it!"?

Jim at said...

Those sales clerk jobs at Hobby Lobby are stressful.

There is no way some sniveling leftist is working at Hobby Lobby. They sued over Obamacare, remember?