The trouble with Martin O'Meara. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martyr, Philippa; Davison, Sophie
• Is Part Of: Australasian psychiatry. Volume 23:Number 5(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 536
• Page End: 539
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: history -- Western Australia -- post-traumatic stress disorder -- World War I; Psychiatry -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1177/1039856215597538
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1039-8562

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article is to highlight the pitfalls of translating historical cases of wartime psychiatric trauma into modern post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: We examined all available primary sources relating to the case of Martin O'Meara VC (1885–1935). Results: We found that O'Meara's symptoms are not consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD. Conclusions: It is more likely that O'Meara developed a form of schizoaffective disorder, or long-lasting trauma-induced psychosis, after World War I.