Garrett Wyckoff

Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
15 Mar. 2020

Research Summaries
Source #1
1. Greenstein, Luna. “NAMI.” National Alliance On Mental Health, 8 Nov. 2017,
www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2017/PTSD-and-Trauma-Not-Just-for-
Veterans.   
2. The first source I chose is called “PTSD and Trauma: Not Just For Veterans”. This is an
article/blog from the National Alliance On Mental Health and is written by Luna
Greenstein. I thought this would be a good starting point for my research since the basis
of it is around mental health. 
3. This article is really a good starting point because it starts off with explaining what PTSD
is and how it doesn't just affect soldiers in the military, how many people in the United
States have it, how to identify if you have PTSD personally, and what steps you should
take after experiencing a trauma. The article begins and immediately dives deep into how
this condition is not just exclusive to the military. The author explains how it is most
common in the military because of the constant sense of danger and the fights that occur
but it is very common within the public as well. I’m glad it opens with this because the
point of PTSD not being exclusively tied to the military is a point I bring up a few times
within my inquiry proposal. The author then starts to branch off and start talking about
the condition itself and some of the most common situations it can occur from. Some
examples of PTSD derive mainly from natural disasters, being in a life-threatening
situation, or being sexually/physically abused. She then incorporates facts into the start of
her paragraphs to really grab the attention of the reader and make the text more
interesting. For example, she frontlines some text with facts like “In the U.S., about eight
million people experience PTSD” or “About 50% of all people will go through at least
one traumatic experience in their lifetime. But not everyone will develop PTSD. In fact,
the majority won’t”. Ms. Greenstein then concludes the article by giving advice on what
to do after experiencing trauma or a situation that could potentially cause PTSD to
develop as well as stating it could happen to anyone whether they are just a student in
school, a salesperson, or a veteran.
4. This is the first source I have come across. I don’t have anything to compare it to at this
point in time. 
5. The first quote I chose was “If people believe that only service members and veterans can
develop PTSD, the recognition of symptoms and treatment can be delayed. The fact is:
Anyone can develop PTSD when they experience or witness a traumatic event—adult or
child, man or woman. Anyone”. The second quote I chose was “Trauma is a part of life—
it affects most people at some point. But that doesn’t mean it’s a mundane experience that
can be ignored or brushed off”.
6. I’ll probably use this source throughout my thesis to state some basic facts I might need
or to back up claims with hard evidence. 

Source #2 

1. McFarlane, Alexander C. “The Long-Term Costs of Traumatic Stress: Intertwined

Physical and Psychological Consequences.” World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the
Garrett Wyckoff
Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
15 Mar. 2020

World Psychiatric Association (WPA), Masson Italy, Feb. 2010,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2816923/. 
2. The second source chosen is called “The long-term costs of traumatic stress: intertwined
physical and psychological consequences” by Alexander C. McFarlane. McFarlane is a
Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Adelaide as well as the Head of the
Department of Psychiatry at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in South Australia. 
3. The article opens by saying the sudden emergence of effects caused right after a
traumatic event or series of traumatic events presents a major conceptual challenge to the
field of Psychiatry. The sudden development of memories caused by a traumatic
experience represents a big vulnerability through repeated triggering of said memory
causing an increase of dysregulation to one's mental and physical health. Increased wear
and tear on a person associated with PTSD is associated with a significant number of
health risks in the form of Obesity, forms of cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal
pain, hypertension, etc. The body of evidence suggests that the effects of PTSD need to
be considered a major challenge that places a person's physical and psychological health
equally at risk. 
4. I believe this voice would agree with my other sources regarding a concern that reaches
much farther than the average person's knowledge on the topic of PTSD and the
unwanted consequences that come with it. 
5. “This observation was particularly challenging in the context of World War I and World
War II because the prevailing psycho-pathological theories at the time did not have a
clear rationale for this phenomenon and led to considerable stigmatization of disabled
veterans”
“Many significant observations in the context of the depression literature have not
been readily adapted by the field of traumatic stress until recent links through the
research concerning the relevance of child abuse to depression” 
6. I thought this was a good article. It provided a lot of helpful and new information that I
will use to further my Thesis. 

Source #3 

1. Tull, Matthew. “The Relationship Between PTSD and Depression .” Verywell Mind,
Verywell Mind, 27 Mar. 2020, www.verywellmind.com/ptsd-and-depression-2797533. 
2. The third source chosen is called “The Relationship Between PTSD and Depression” by
Matthew Tull. Tull received a PhD from the University of Massachusetts and is now a
Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Toledo where he is also
Director of the Personality and Emotion Research and Treatment laboratory. 
3. The main purpose of this article is to show how PTSD and depression coincide as well as
to explain data found through research and how to get treatment. Diagnosis of PTSD and
depression commonly occur together because the aftermath of effects caused by PTSD
can eventually lead into a depressive state whether that be loss of interest in something, a
bad mood, or changes in energy. Research suggests that approximately 6.8% of all people
will develop PTSD at some point in their lifetime. An estimated 7.1% of  U.S. adults
experience a depressive episode or major depressive disorder in any given year. Research
also shows that about half the people diagnosed with PTSD also have co-occurring major
Garrett Wyckoff
Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
15 Mar. 2020

depressive disorder. While talking about how they are connected, Tull brings up the
possibility that genetics might play a role. Family history is well known to be a big risk
factor regarding the development of depression. Research also suggests that there may be
a genetic predisposition for PTSD. Tull ends off with if you have either and or both
symptoms or a diagnosis of PTSD and depression, to seek help immediately because each
disorder may make the other worse. 
4. I believe this voice would agree with the other articles because they know the possible
severity of PTSD and how other symptoms may develop because of it. 
5. “Depression can also be a common response after a traumatic or stressful event, so it is
perhaps not surprising that these two conditions can occur at the same time”

“Symptoms of PTSD can be so distressing and debilitating that they actually

cause depression to develop”
6. This article really opened my eyes to the development of depression caused by PTSD. I
will definitely use the numerical data in my thesis. 

Source #4

1. Bressert, Steve. “How Does PTSD Affect Relationships?” Psych Central, 26 Dec. 2018,
psychcentral.com/lib/ptsd-and-relationships/. 
2. The fourth source chosen is called “How Does PTSD Affect Relationships?” By Steve
Bressert. Steve Bressert, Ph.D. is an author and retired as a professional in clinical
practice. He has been writing about psychology and mental health issues since 1998.
3. The main purpose of this article is to show the struggles in a relationship with a person
with PTSD, symptoms to look for, and as well as the keys to having a successful
relationship. It is common for survivors of trauma with PTSD to struggle having intimate
or family relationships because of the plethora of symptoms that come with the
development of PTSD. Trust issues, communication, and assertiveness are just a few
problems that might interfere in a big way. Dr. Bressert then lists a multitude of problems
that many people who have been in relationships or know a person with PTSD often
experience. Lack or loss of interests in social or sexual activities and going out of their
way to avoid such activities at times, feelings of irritability or becoming easily
frightened, emotional numbness, difficulty falling asleep or having severe nightmares,
some survivors may try and reduce the amount of sleep they get just to combat such
nightmares from occurring, and etc.  PTSD can interfere with relationships greatly and
most of the time it leaves the survivor feeling like a burden potentially causing another
downward spiral. After all the negatives Bressert then eases into how to make a
relationship with someone with PTSD work. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
Good communication skills, learning to open up to each other about problems, and being
honest with one another are all very important factors into keeping the relationship
healthy and fresh. 
4. I believe this voice would agree with the other articles because they know the extensive
struggles a person with PTSD has and how no relationship is easy regardless. It takes
time and patience. 
Garrett Wyckoff
Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
15 Mar. 2020

5. “Another important component of good relationships is each partner learning to share

their feelings honestly and openly with an attitude of respect and compassion”
“Feeling close, trusting, and emotionally or sexually intimate may seem a
dangerous “letting down of my guard” because of past traumas”
6. This article really displayed a new perspective for me regarding relationships and PTSD.
It is difficult to be in any relationship but with enough time, patience, and trust in a
person I feel like anything can be achieved. 

Source #5

1. Babbel, Susanne. “Students With PTSD.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 9 Aug.
2012, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/somatic-psychology/201208/students-ptsd. 
2. This fifth source is called “Students With PTSD” and it is written by Susanne Babbel
MFT, PhD. Dr. Babbel who is originally from Germany is a licensed Marriage and
Family therapist who also belongs to the California Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists (CAMFT) and the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy
(USABP).
3. The main purpose of this article is to identify the struggles of a student with PTSD and
try to better understand what they are going through and what sort of toll this is taking on
their mental health. Dr. Babbel starts by saying once you start to recognize or gain a
better understanding of how PTSD is affecting you and your schoolwork that is the first
big step you can take to a better/healthier future. She also goes into detail about how any
school's disability services can help buy you more time to complete exams or homework
when you have “off days”. She urges to try and think of it as a support system, but it isn't
always easy for people with PTSD because they might feel a sense of shame doing that.
Dr. Babbel then starts to talk about one of her patients. She talks about how this patient
achieved a 4.0 GPA through the disability services program and went on to a prestigious
university and at university she had very understanding professors that understood her
struggles with PTSD. One professor however dismissed her at first, pointing out that she
had too experienced trauma and that it was probably worse than the students. After this
the student was shocked and frustrated and started to have a downfall. The student then
writes a letter to the professor, explaining her past trauma and experiences and the
professor later apologized and started to understand the student's needs. Dr. Babbel then
adds that we cannot compare ourselves to trauma survivors and that we as people often
assume that if we did not experience anything as horrific as others, then our trauma
doesn't count. 
4. I think this voice does agree with the other articles because they understand the effects
PTSD can have on a person's mind and body. 
5. “We cannot dismiss someone’s symptoms just because our trauma seems more serious”

“The term disabilities shouldn’t be limited to this interpretation; instead,

try to think of it as part of your support system”
6. As a college student, this was very helpful in order to understand how PTSD can really
affect a student's learning and the environment around them. 
Garrett Wyckoff
Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
15 Mar. 2020

Source #6

1. Kuhn, Eric, et al. “PTSD Coach around the World.” MHealth, AME Publishing
Company, 25 May 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5994444/. 
2. This sixth source is called “PTSD Coach around the world” and it is written by a plethora
of writers at PubMed Central which is a free full-text archive of biomedical and life
sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of
Medicine. 
3. The main purpose of this article is to explain why PTSD is such a global health
phenomenon as well as to explain why it is so common and the new technology-based
interventions to help those in need. Trauma and PTSD are two very serious global health
problems. About 70% of the world’s population will be exposed to one or more traumas
in their lifetime. Some may even experience four or more traumas including rape,
physical or verbal harm, or war related experiences. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD is
nearly 40% of the global population. A lot of people who have experienced horrible, life
changing trauma that have not been medically diagnosed with PTSD but have symptoms,
often do not seek professional help due to stigmas about mental health as well as feeling
like a burden. To try and combat that, in 2011 the U.S Veterans Affairs National Center
for PTSD released a mobile app called “PTSD Coach” that was programmed to provide
educational and self-management tools for survivors of PTSD. 
4. I think this voice does agree with the other articles because they understand the
seriousness of PTSD and wrote an article about a helpful app to survivors who may view
themselves as a burden or unimportant. 
5. “There is a tremendous unmet need for PTSD treatment that traditional care models and
existing resources cannot adequately address”
“Technology-based mental health interventions offer promise as they can
overcome distance, time, provider availability, resource limitations, as well as other
possible barriers to treatment”
6. Reading this article and about the PTSD Coach app was very interesting. I think it is a
great way to help untreated or undiagnosed people with PTSD. 

Source #7

1. Aron, Cindy Miller, et al. “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Other Trauma-
Related Mental Disorders in Elite Athletes: a Narrative Review.” British Journal of
Sports Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2019,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31023859. 
2. This seventh source is called “PTSD and Other Trauma-Related Mental Disorders in Elite
Athletes” and it is written by a plethora of writers at PubMed Central which is a free full-
text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National
Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine. 
3. The main purpose of this article is to examine PTSD and other mental health conditions
in Elite athletes that may be caused by sports and certain injuries etc. Research shows that
some athletes may exhibit greater rates of PTSD up to 13%-25% in some athlete
populations and greater rates of trauma-related disorders related to the general
Garrett Wyckoff
Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
15 Mar. 2020

population. Some of the trauma athletes go through is the same as the general population
such as injuries, being a secondhand witness to something traumatic etc, but athletes have
some of their own traumatic experiences that may cause PTSD in the future such as being
apart of abusive team dynamics, having an abusive coach or manager, as well as being
traded or cut from a team. A lot of players especially the greats study the game they play
constantly so going through experiences like that can really affect the way an athlete
thinks and plays the game. Current evidence/research shows that increasing awareness of
PTSD in athletes and use of tools to identify certain players who are struggling with
symptoms may improve performance and function significantly. 
4. I believe this voice does agree with the other sources used. Although it is talking about
PTSD related to sports, anyone can go through a traumatic experience no matter their
profession, age, etc. 
5. “While PTSD may be common among elite athletes, recognition by providers who do not
routinely screen for trauma-related disorders may be challenging”
“athletes tend to mask symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders”
6. This article was very interesting because i'm really interested in sports and you don’t
really expect these athletes to go through mental stress and symptoms of PTSD because
they are looked upon so heavily by the public. 

Source #8

1. Kelley, Ryan. “America's First Responders' Struggle with PTSD and Depression.” EMS1,
28 Oct. 2019, www.ems1.com/ptsd/articles/americas-first-responders-struggle-with-ptsd-
and-depression-LsgD4lAsb0ycVuQH/. 
2. The eighth and final source is called “America’s First Responder’s Struggle with PTSD
and Depression” written by Ryan Kelley, NREMT, who is a nationally registered
emergency medical technician and the former managing editor of the Journal of
Emergency Medical Services (JEMS)
3. The main purpose of this article is to show the mental toll the first responders of America
go through regarding the horrors they might see, long tiring hours on the job and how all
those factors lead to PTSD and ongoing depression. Kelley opens up the article on a hard
note, talking about a firefighter who took his own life at age 35 because of depression
that developed from job-related PTSD. Research shows that depression and PTSD affect
an estimated 30% of United States first responders compared to the only 20% of the
American general population and while 3.7% of Americans have contemplated suicide,
that rate skyrockets for firefighters and EMS profesionals to 37%. Kelley also adds that
despite the calm, stoic concern on the faces of first responders during times of tragedy or
crisis, events like those are very mentally and physically draining, causing a lot of strain
as well. Sleep disturbances and insomnia from the job can cause problems regulating and
controlling emotions at times and that can increase the risk of depression. Towards the
end of the article, Kelley talks about drinking after a shift and how the comradery
between firefighters and first responders actually helps against the development of PTSD
like symptoms, but binge drinking is problematic in some senses.
Garrett Wyckoff
Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
15 Mar. 2020

4. I believe this voice would agree with the other articles especially the one before this
because it sort of relates in the sense that symptoms of PTSD and depression can come
from anything traumatic or stressful. 
5. “Alcohol consumption, while not technically part of the job, can be a part of the culture
of comradery and brotherhood of that tradition”
“These symptoms apply to anyone, not just first responders. If you notice any of
these symptoms, don’t probe or pry; be sensitive and kind, and simply offer up an ear to
listen”

This article was an interesting read. The writer really gives you an inside look of the life of a first
responder and the physical and mental strain that comes along with it.