During the Vietnam War, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was not officially recognized as a specific medical diagnosis. However, the symptoms and psychological effects that soldiers experienced during and after the war were similar to what we now understand as PTSD. During and after the Vietnam War, this condition was often referred to as "shell shock" or "combat fatigue."
"Shell shock" was a term that originated during World War I to describe the psychological trauma experienced by soldiers exposed to the constant shelling and warfare. The term "combat fatigue" was used during World War II and Korea to describe similar symptoms.
It was only in 1980, when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) was published, that PTSD was officially recognized as a distinct diagnosis and its symptoms were clearly defined. Since then, the understanding and treatment of PTSD have evolved significantly, helping veterans and others affected by trauma to get the support they need.