Is McCain Showing Symptoms of PTSD?

Lately some people have been wondering if McCain has been showing signs of alzheimer's, but he may actually be showing the signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Here's a link to the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, which is a branch of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Well, let's see how somebody might end up with a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

How does PTSD develop?

All people with PTSD have lived through a traumatic event that caused them to fear for their lives, see horrible things, and feel helpless. Strong emotions caused by the event create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD.

Most people who go through a traumatic event have some symptoms at the beginning. Yet only some will develop PTSD. It isn't clear why some people develop PTSD and others don't. How likely you are to get PTSD depends on many things. These include:

* How intense the trauma was or how long it lasted
* If you lost someone you were close to or were hurt
* How close you were to the event
* How strong your reaction was
* How much you felt in control of events
* How much help and support you got after the event

Many people who develop PTSD get better at some time. But about 1 out of 3 people with PTSD may continue to have some symptoms. Even if you continue to have symptoms, treatment can help you cope. Your symptoms don't have to interfere with your everyday activities, work, and relationships.

First, his "symptoms".

The first symptom I'm aware of was when he was a POW.

The Fanasy World

John McCain's Suicide Attempt and His Resulting PTSD

The doctors said McCain explained that while in solitary confinement he created for himself a fantasy world in which he lived. The doctors said McCain always heard the guards coming with his food, but "was often so much in his private world, that he strongly resented their coming around and bringing him back to reality by intruding. He was enjoying his fantasies so much."

What's in John McCain's Medical Records?

"I had to carefully guard against my fantasies becoming so consuming that they took me to a place in my mind from which I might fail to return."

A person who creates a "fantasy world" to dissociate from a traumatic experience can be an indication that PTSD may be in their future.

McCAIN: IT"S NOT APPROPRIATE TO HAVE A "TRIGGER HAPPY" POTUS

Brown, Scheflin and Hammond, authors of: Memory, Trauma Treatment, And the Law ,1998, state: "Individuals that are more likely to dissociate during a traumatic event are considerably more likely to develop chronic PTSD"

Here are other comments from other qualified medical observers that could apply to Senator McCain's medical condition:

"In several studies, dissociation at the time of a trauma has been found to predict symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder at follow-up assessments" Michael W. Otto, PhD, Published in Journal Watch Psychiatry July 21, 2005

"Traumatic dissociation is frequently considered to be a risk factor for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)" Doris C. Breh PhD, Department of Psychotraumatology, Psychosomatic University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Symptom #2 - Jangling Keys = Jailers Keys

What's in John McCain's medical records?

McCain has himself described having an adverse reaction to the sound of jangling keys, which reminds him of his Vietnam jailers.

People who have PTSD can hear or see things that might cause them to relive their traumatic experience.

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms):

Bad memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. You may have nightmares. You even may feel like you're going through the event again. This is called a flashback. Sometimes there is a trigger: a sound or sight that causes you to relive the event. Triggers might include:

* Hearing a car backfire, which can bring back memories of gunfire and war for a combat veteran
* Seeing a car accident, which can remind a crash survivor of his or her own accident
* Seeing a news report of a sexual assault, which may bring back memories of assault for a woman who was raped

Symptom #3 - The Quick Temper/Anger

What's in John McCain's medical records?

Author Robert Timberg mentions McCain's intense explosions of anger --- a hallmark sign of lingering mental trauma from war -- in his book "John McCain: An American Odyssey." Timberg describes the episodes as "an eruption of temper out of all proportion to the provocation." Timberg, who McCain has said "knows more about me than I do," wrote that McCain's sudden fury is a result of Vietnam coming "back to haunt him."

His temper is well documented and is a symptom of PTSD.

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal):

You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. This is known as hyperarousal. It can cause you to:

* Suddenly become angry or irritable

Symptom #4 - Hard Time Sleeping

McCain's Ambien Use: a Security Threat?

In a presidential race marked by references to preparedness in the face of the 3 a.m. call, the revelation that presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain has taken the sleeping pill Ambien during his travels raises concerns that the rare side effects of the medication could impair his judgment.

Sleeping disorders are a symptom of PTSD.

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal):

You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. This is known as hyperarousal. It can cause you to:

* Have a hard time sleeping

Symptom #5 - Getting Confused or Having Trouble Concentrating

I'll just let you watch this video to explain this one!

Dazed and Confused


Losing your concentration and getting confused are symptoms of PTSD.

John McCain's suicide attempt and his resulting PTS

An outcome of PTSD is a subtle web of personal problems including difficulty in controlling intense emotions such as anger and an inability to function well under stress.

Psychologist Patricia B. Sutker of the New Orleans Veterans Administration Medical Center and her colleagues reported in a 1991 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry that as many as nine of 10 surviving U.S. servicemen taken captive during the Korean War may suffer from PTSD and other mental disorders more than 35 years after their release.

In a follow-up study, VA experts concluded that POWs suffer "a much greater risk of developing PTSD than combat veterans."

Robert Timberg, in his book, The Nightingale's Song, wrote that POW McCain "suffered terribly in North Vietnamese camps."

And another source

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal):

You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. This is known as hyperarousal. It can cause you to:

* Suddenly become angry or irritable
* Have a hard time sleeping
* Have trouble concentrating

Also, they SAY that they released ALL of McCain's medical records, but that doesn't seem to be true.

John McCain's suicide attempt and his resulting PTSD

What McCain's promoters have carefully edited out of their McCain-for-president equation is his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Department of Defense psychiatrists have evaluated McCain for PTSD several times, the results of which remain locked by privacy laws.

I personally don't think it's alzheimer's that's affecting McCain but his PTSD!

I'm not a doctor, but it sure seems like he exhibits a lot of the symptoms of PTSD.

[edit on 9/1/2008 by Keyhole]

Unbelievably rediculous. You went to all that work to take a very lame cheap shot at McCain for potentially having PTSD?

Many of those who defended your freedom during WWII also have/had PSTD. Are you going to criticize them for getting PTSD while defending your freedoms?

You should go to Iraq for a year and we'll see if you post the same garbage of PTSD. You'll find yourself very humbled.



[edit on 1-9-2008 by jetxnet]

Please show me the documentation that you are medically certified to diagnose individuals with PTSD.

Guess we ought to analyze Biden, Obama, and Palin for some kind of symptoms and go to webmd.com to find out what disease they might have. Sounds pretty simple.

reply to post by jetxnet


I don't think they were taking any cheap shots? Just pointing out what could be true. Take it easy, man. I don't think I'm the only one getting sick of your posts.
To the OP- very interesting. While it may be true that most war vets come out with PTSD, it doesn't mean that it's any safer of a condition to have while running the country. Jetxnet only helped your point by explaining how most who fought in WWII have this condition.

In my opinion.....I'm not a doctor or anything,but I think McCain shows signs of suffering from SBS.

Souless Bloodsucker Syndrome.

I don't think they were taking any cheap shots? Just pointing out what could be true. Take it easy, man. I don't think I'm the only one getting sick of your posts.
To the OP- very interesting. While it may be true that most war vets come out with PTSD, it doesn't mean that it's any safer of a condition to have while running the country. Jetxnet only helped your point by explaining how most who fought in WWII have this condition.

What? So, writing a mini-book on it is just pointing out that McCain *may* have PTSD? Why bother? Are you trying to say it would be problematic if he had PTSD and running the country? If so, then how so??

I didn't say *most* who fought in WWII had this condition, was saying that many have/had though.

I don't care if you're sick of my posts, know that several happen to like them. My guess is they're not flaming Liberals or Obama supporters though.

reply to post by jetxnet


Where is the criticism in the OP exactly? I would think that this has more of a better understanding about McCain for reasoning of some of his problems rather than blaming it on him getting Alzheimers like we see people do so much. I suppose it depends on your perspective when reading this.
And honestly I respect the man for his service 100% like I do any other veteran. My own Uncle just came back from Iraq a couple of weeks ago from his second tour of duty. And no, I hate Obama so don't take me for one of his supporters.

reply to post by Keyhole


Starred and Flagged and very well done

Personally this is the least of McCain's mental issues. I'm not criticizing his service to this country but you can't go threw what he has gone threw and still be mentally stable. Personally I feel he has served us well and enough. I can't vote or support someone with obvious mental conditions attempting to become the President of the USA.

And honestly I respect the man for his service 100% like I do any other veteran. My own Uncle just came back from Iraq a couple of weeks ago from his second tour of duty. And no, I hate Obama so don't take me for one of his supporters.

Fair enough, I just said it was a lame attempt to discredit McCain and cast doubt on him in terms of running the country. It was more than obvious and hardly a non-biased assessment.

More people, including the OP, should respect those who have fought in any war. War is hell and so are the conditions that can stem from it.

"John"

"Yes?"

"John McCain?"

"Yes?"

"John Sidney McCain?"

"Y E S ..."

I can't vote or support someone with obvious mental conditions attempting to become the President of the USA.

Well, I guess you can't vote for Obama then either.

He has Borderline Personality Disorder and a Patholigical Lieing Disorder.

You can no more prove McCain has PSTD than I can Obama having the above disorders which has also been speculated.

Hmm. Its definatly possible


he did just hire on the Bush smear campaign guy who helped smear the crap out of McCain in 2000.....

McCain Hires GOP Operative Who Helped Smear Him in South Carolina in 2000

September 01, 2008 8:46 PM

Former officials of Sen. John McCain's 2000 campaign expressed shock and disbelief Monday to learn than the GOP presidential nominee had hired South Carolina political consultant Tucker Eskew.

Eskew, along with Warren Tompkins and Neal Rhodes, were key members of then-Gov. George W. Bush's South Carolina team during the 2000 primaries. McCain and his team long held Bush, Tompkins, Rhodes and Eskew responsible for the various smears against McCain and his family in the Palmetto state during that contentious contest.

Eskew was brought on board the McCain campaign, it was announced Monday, to help prepare Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for her role as McCain running mate. Eskew will help Palin prepare for her Wednesday night acceptance speech at the GOP convention and for her stump speech as she hits the road, brief her on policy matters, and help her handle the media scrutiny a lifetime in Alaska does not necessarily prepare one for.

"He's one of the best and most collaborative talents in Republican politics," McCain senior adviser Nicolle Wallace told Politico, speaking of Eskew. "He also has a wit and an ability to turn a phrase like no one I've ever met before."

source

Heaven can only know why McCain would make such a move?
Maybe he forgot about it??

After all - we ARE dealing with a completely different McCain than we saw in 2000

reply to post by jetxnet


A mini book? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! It's just an IDEA that MAYBE instead of having ALZHEIMER'S, McCain may have PTSD. And I'm sure all the flaming liberals and Obama supporters dislike your posts, but I'm not one of them so why should I care?
People should be allowed to post on a conspiracy site without being attacked by butt-hurt conservatives 2 seconds out of the gate.
Now we're derailing, so back on topic... My grandpa had PTSD, and then got Alzheimer's towards the end of his life. I must admit, he was MUCH more manageable with PTSD. I'm sure there are different magnitudes though, and don't know enough about it to say how sever it was.

A mini book? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! It's just an IDEA that MAYBE instead of having ALZHEIMER'S, McCain may have PTSD. And I'm sure all the flaming liberals and Obama supporters dislike your posts, but I'm not one of them so why should I care?
People should be allowed to post on a conspiracy site without being attacked by butt-hurt conservatives 2 seconds out of the gate.

Why would McCain have ALZHEIMERs?? Of course he doesn't, look up the symptoms of Alzheimers and see if he fits the spec.

We could say the same about Obama "57 states" or "8-10 years as POTUS" etc.

Does Obama have Narcissistic Personality Disorder? He fits the symptoms of this disorder - Check it out

I guess i don't see the point of pointing something out so lame, when McCain is donig just fine - much better than Obama so far in this campaign and Obama has had all the advantages! This should tell you something.

Oh, and don't be pretend to be neither Liberal or Conservative. You are obviously Liberal with your 'conservative' personal attack comments.

People like you disgust me.


[edit on 1-9-2008 by jetxnet]

reply to post by jetxnet

We could say the same about Obama "57 states" or "8-10 years as POTUS" etc.

those are bold faced lies and you KNOW it.

Its been shoved in your face so many times and chased you out of so many threads.

He never talked about there actually being 57 states, and he never said he was going to be president for 10 years

he was talking about the length of time to reach a resolution

my God.

You are thick.

Originally posted by jetxnet

Fair enough, I just said it was a lame attempt to discredit McCain and cast doubt on him in terms of running the country.

Kinda LIKE OBAMAMESSIAH, MUSLIM, CLOSETED GAY, SOCIALIST, ELITEST, NWO,
LIBERAL, LIBERAL TERRORIST LOVER, OBAMA IS FRIENDS WITH TERROISTS, etc.


Kinda like your lame attempts to discredit OBAMA and cast doubt on him in terms of running the country?

Yes but not lame..

P.T.S.D. is a normal reaction to an abnormally traumatic event,situation or multiple events, and, or, situations. I doubt that he has the high degree of symptoms that a real combatant does. He spent something like 23 to 24 hours maximum in the air dropping bombs on civilian targets in North Vietnam.While for the ground combatants in infantry units were in the thick of it that many hour at a time or longer in a day in South Vietnam. Being one that is familiar with the condition, I have seen evidence of the condition in his physical and verbal reactions when he feels threatened. I don't think he is any more out of line than any of the others that dupe the people and cater to the military industrial complex. But I still wouldn't want to see him anywhere in D.C. Being that he was the son and grandson of Admirals insured him an easier time while held in as a prisoner of war.

reply to post by jetxnet


Wow dude. I wasn't saying I think McCain has Alzheimer's, but if you've noticed all the threads that say otherwise, you would know how many people think that. I was simply stating that this post makes him look, at least, better than in the Alzheimer's posts. It's better for McCain if this is what he has, instead of Alzheimer's.

And I'm glad you think you know me. Where I stand on politics, well I'm a fairly moderate dude. You can say I lean towards the left a bit, and have some liberal views, but that doesn't mean I'm a liberal.

Stop taking everything so personally and jumping into your "Gotta' protect the Republicans" wagon.

Originally posted by jetxnet
Many of those who defended your freedom during WWII also have/had PSTD. Are you going to criticize them for getting PTSD while defending your freedoms?

No, was I criticizing ANYBODY for GETTING PTSD in the first place?

A lot of soldiers unfortunately come back with some degree of PTSD.

As I stated in the OP, many POW's from Korea, 9 out of 10 of them were diagnosed with PTSD. Didn't find any study that was done on Viet Nam POW's though. Studies have shown though that POW's do have a much higher chance of getting PTSD than combat soldiers though.

PTSD seems to be a pretty normal occurrence in people that have been through a very traumatic and stressful event, which obviously McCain had as a POW in Viet Nam.

[edit on 9/2/2008 by Keyhole]

I had to watch the video again, it is a real eye opener and scares the hell out of me, that this poor man isn't in a V. A. direct care facility and is instead running for any national office. I have what is diagnosed to be severe and chronic P.T.S.D. and have run the gamut of treatment programs and pharmaceutical options. I have been through a long term in care treatment program and have seen a lot of P.T.S.D. I have also worked in direct care at psychiatric hospitals and know enough to be able to recognize a person that is not what is seen to be a competent person, outside of their ability to care of their own basic needs. I have nothing but admiration for the man for getting as far as he has in his condition. My opinions aren't backed by any kind of medical certification, but does one need to go to medical school to see that someone is in need of a less demanding place in society, than representing our country as it's highest ranking elected official when it is so obvious?