PTSD is a psychological disorder that is neurologically centered, meaning the brain is affected, specifically in the amygdala.  Experiencing or seeing a traumatic event, which usually occurs for war veterans after they return from their stationed unit, causes this disorder.  If being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the following symptoms may be experienced: nightmares, insomnia, severe panic/anxiety, hallucinations, or flashbacks.  In Mac Mclelland’s article, “Is PTSD Contagious?” she hypothesizes that this disorder can be passed down to beloved ones or anyone surrounding the victim, as if it were the common cold of the flu, being transportable. The dreadful, yearly, common cold can be spread from person to person in numerous ways. Through physical contact, or by the infectious microbe traveling through the air can cause the common cold to be caught. While PTSD is clearly not the common cold, its ways in developing it is quite similar to the yearly runny nose sickness. Mclelland stresses how others can develop PTSD through the constant surrounding of the victim. The emotions and bipolar behaviors act as the infectious microbe traveling through the air.

Caleb Vine is an Iraq war veteran who has returned to his hometown in Alabama of 2006.  Unlike Caleb, his wife Brannan has never been to war nor has she experienced any warlike activities.  However, Mclelland mentions how Brannan has been experiencing some of, if not all, of Caleb’s symptoms of PTSD.  She states, “BRANNAN VINES HAS NEVER BEEN to war. But she’s got a warrior’s skills: hyperawareness, hypervigilance, adrenaline-sharp quick-scanning for danger, for triggers. Super stimuli-sensitive. Skills on the battlefield.”  Mclelland is suggesting that like an illness, it can be contagious can the symptoms can be passed to people who are constantly surrounding the victim with PTSD. In the article, Mclelland describes Brannan as becoming “so furious her ears literally started ringing” when she is at the local CVS waiting in line behind an elderly women who is taking more time to get her money in order than expected. She becomes furious with an inconvenient situation and her “super stimuli-sensitive” emotions start to kick in. The CVS situation does not demonstrate “adrenaline-sharp quick-scanning for danger” or “warrior-like skills,” however, it does depict who she is slowly developing this mental illness she was not responsible developing.

Brannan describes her be screaming at Caleb in efforts to awaken him from his horrific nightmares late at night.  However she does make it clear that she has never been beaten up by her husband, jumped out of bed in the middle of the night in the fear of being raped, like many other military wives have.  Both Caleb and Brannan have the fear that their six-year-old daughter, Katie, would develop the symptoms they both are experiencing and have it affect her behavior and mental state for the rest of her life. Both of Katie’s parents dread the thought that this illness can be forwarded to their daughter, like it had been for Brannan.  They do accept the fact that she is not like any other little six-year-old girl.  Mclelland mentions how little Katie would lash out or act out in class just because another student would get her angry.  Even though, PTSD is a disorder that cannot be “literally” contagious, it is possible, according to Mclelland, someone can develop these symptoms if they are around someone with them for a while.