PTSD in the Old West

Did PTSD exist in the Old West, and if so, did it contribute to the violence of the frontier? Join me as we explore how trauma affected soldiers and civilians alike long before the condition had a name, from Civil War veterans suffering from what was once called soldiers’ heart or Da Costa’s syndrome to rising rates of alcoholism, domestic violence, and institutionalization across the United States. Using historical research, homicide statistics from frontier towns like Dodge City and San Francisco, and modern scholarship, we’ll examine whether PTSD was a driving force behind Old West violence or one factor among many. And stick around to the end for another listener Q&A! We’ll discuss Brushy Bill Roberts, Doc Scurlock, Henry Plummer, and the Montana vigilantes, along with reflections on notable Western films and books.

National Center for PTSD - https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

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