The Straight Dope: Is PTSD more common among soldiers now than in the past?

[View this message as a web page] [The Straight Dope] 02/03/2017 Dear Cecil: Is there any research on whether the incidence of PTSD has increased over time? Could the stout farm boys who fought in World War II cope with greater stress than modern soldiers, or did we just sweep it under the rug back then? — Keith Barkley Cecil replies: Every war, WWII included, has scarred its combatants’ psyches. Yet there remain those who look back fondly at the good old days of armed conflict, when iron-nerved men’s men simply shrugged off the tribulations of the battlefield. One might reasonably file such a misty-eyed take under the heading of nostalgia — a term, it so happens, that was coined in the 17th century to describe a mysterious ailment afflicting Swiss soldiers, making it the first medical diagnosis of war’s psychological effects. For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE STAFF REPORT — 11/18/2003 Dear Straight Dope: How do the self-proclaimed psychics that you see on TV these days seem so convincing when they talk to people's deceased relatives? I understand the art of "cold reading," but some so-called "hits" seem too specific to be lucky guesses. Also, why hasn't a disgruntled ex-employee of these shows ever exposed these frauds? Surely they could make a buck. — Dean Rutherford, Hailey, Idaho SDStaff Dex replies: A good question, and one that has been discussed with great insight on the Straight Dope Message Board. What's impressive about psychics is the number of times people go to a reading, or watch one of those "hotline to heaven" shows, and say, "He told us things he couldn't possibly have known." Psychics and their fans say it's evidence of genuine psychic ability. But keep a couple things in mind … For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC — 05/14/2004 Dear Cecil: In the column in your archive on the Alamo (The Straight Dope: What was the Mexicans' version of the Alamo attack?), you base most of your claims on the diary of José Enrique de la Peña. I did a bit of searching on the Internet and found claims that this diary is a fake. Is the diary real, or were you fooled? — Star Was, via the Straight Dope Message Board Cecil replies: I am never fooled, Star. On occasion I arrive at the truth by a circuitous route, but it's far from clear that this is one of those times. Before we get into the controversy surrounding the de la Peña diary, I should clarify that what's at stake — at least in the minds of the more hysterical disputants — isn't so much the authenticity of an obscure manuscript as the legend of 19th-century frontiersman and 1950s TV hero Davy Crockett. For more, see: [ YOUR AD HERE! Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks. For rates and details contact Rich at [rhummel@suntimes.com]. Copyright © 2017 Sun-Times Media, LLC. This email was sent by The Straight Dope, Sun-Times Media, LLC., 350 N. Orleans, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654 [Unsubscribe/update preferences] This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To change or update your newsletter subscription preferences, or to unsubscribe from all Chicago Reader and Straight Dope newsletters and promotional communications, [click here]. Please allow 72 hours for this change to take effect.