Yes, it is likely that people experienced symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) long before the formal recognition of the condition in modern times. While the term "PTSD" and its diagnostic criteria are relatively recent developments, the psychological and emotional impacts of traumatic experiences have been present throughout human history.
Historical accounts and literature suggest that soldiers, veterans, and survivors of wars, battles, and other traumatic events have often exhibited symptoms consistent with what we now identify as PTSD. For example, in ancient texts and historical documents, there are descriptions of soldiers experiencing distressing memories, nightmares, anxiety, and other psychological difficulties after being exposed to the horrors of combat.
Similarly, traumatic experiences such as natural disasters, assaults, accidents, and other life-threatening events likely affected individuals psychologically in pre-modern times. However, these experiences may have been conceptualized and explained differently, often within the cultural and social contexts of the time.
It's essential to recognize that the way societies understood and addressed psychological distress has evolved over the centuries. In ancient times, mental health issues were often attributed to supernatural causes or seen as a sign of weakness rather than being understood in the context of modern psychology.
In summary, while the term "PTSD" is a modern construct, the human experience of psychological distress following traumatic events is likely to have existed throughout history. However, the understanding and recognition of PTSD as a distinct condition with specific diagnostic criteria and treatments are products of modern psychological and medical knowledge.