Source: Fox News
Summary
A study of World Trade Center responders found that PTSD is associated with molecular changes linked to accelerated biological aging and a higher risk of chronic disease. The study, led by Stony Brook University in New York, found changes in blood markers linked to brain function, immune activity, and energy metabolism in responders with PTSD. The researchers detected signs of accelerated biological aging in multiple organs, including the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. The study’s findings reinforce the view that PTSD is a “whole-body illness” rather than simply a mental health disorder.
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This guidance has been heard before. The advice sounds familiar. PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, affecting multiple organs and biological systems decades after traumatic exposure. The study reinforces the view that PTSD is a “whole-body illness” rather than simply a mental health disorder. The chronic diseases that resulted from high exposure in the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks were conjoined in terms of the impact on physical and emotional well-being, longevity, and effects on multiple organ systems.
The research provides compelling evidence that PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, including signs of accelerated aging, altered metabolism, and changes in proteins involved in brain health. The findings strengthen the growing recognition that PTSD is not simply a mental health disorder, but a condition that can have lasting effects on physical health as well.
It’s a reminder that the impact of traumatic events can be felt for decades, and that PTSD is not just a mental health issue, but a whole-body illness that requires comprehensive treatment and long-term follow-up.
And so, the search for answers continues, with the hope that one day, we’ll find a way to break the cycle of trauma and its lasting effects on our bodies and minds.
Author: Evan Null
