PTSD: A Timeless Experience, A Modern Conversation

PTSD isn’t a new concept—it’s just a new name for an ancient human experience. Trauma has always been part of our story. Though the terminology has changed over the centuries, the essence of what we now call PTSD has existed for as long as people have faced life-altering events.

In biblical times, we see glimpses of trauma in the lives of men like David and Saul. Saul, after countless battles, struggled with what we might now recognize as symptoms of PTSD—nightmares, paranoia, and violent outbursts. David, too, carried the weight of his own battles, both literal and emotional, writing psalms that echo deep anguish and raw vulnerability. They didn’t have clinical diagnoses, but their struggles were real, relatable, and timeless.

The Roman Empire recorded similar experiences in soldiers returning from brutal campaigns. And in more recent history, we’ve heard terms like “shell shock” during World War I and “combat fatigue” during World War II. The language and understanding have evolved, but the core reality remains the same: humans are deeply affected by overwhelming stress and trauma.

The point is this: PTSD is nothing new. My experiences, your experiences—they are part of a thread that stretches back thousands of years. This connection doesn’t diminish the weight of what we carry, but it does remind us that we are not alone in this journey. Generations before us have grappled with trauma, finding ways to process it, endure it, and live despite it.

Thankfully, we now have tools that ancient people groups didn’t. Therapy, medication, support groups, and a wealth of research provide modern solutions to help us navigate PTSD. But it’s also worth remembering that some of the tools they relied on—community, storytelling, spiritual practices, and connection to nature—are still powerful options for us today.

We can learn from both the past and the present. Just as trauma is timeless, so is resilience. When we tap into this shared history of humanity’s ability to adapt and heal, we find strength.

No matter where we are in this journey, we’re never walking it alone. We carry not only our own pain but also the wisdom of countless generations who have faced it before us. And just like them, we can find a way forward. See you out there.