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.
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2.
JonesEWesselyS. Shell shock to PTSD: Military psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War. East Sussex: Psychology Press, 2005.
3.
See memorials at Lorrha, Ireland; Collie, Blackboy Hill, and Karrakatta Cemetery, Western Australia; two historical cigarette cards.
Modest Martin – the gallant O’Meara – shrinks from the limelight. Sunday Times, 4August1918, p.3.
11.
All about people: Tittle tattle. The Catholic Press, 28September1916, p.18.
12.
Western Australia – Martin O’Meara VC – back in Western Australia – an interview by phone. West Australian, 8November1918, p.7.
13.
O’Meara, Martin. Series B2455, barcode 1935366: 43–46. National Archives of Australia (hereafter NAA).
14.
O’Meara, Martin. Series B2455, barcode 1935366: 31-34. NAA.
15.
O’Meara, Martin. Series B2455, barcode 1935366: 35-36. NAA.
16.
StauntonA. Victoria Cross: Australia’s finest and the battles they fought. Prahran, Victoria: Hardie Grant Books, 2000, p.77.
17.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 170. NAA.
18.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No B2455, barcode 1935366: 25. NAA.
19.
Attendants Report Books – Male Patients – Day Reports, Claremont Hospital for the Insane (hereafter Day Reports). Series 1771, Item 115, Cons 1120: 3January1919. State Records Office of Western Australia (hereafter SROWA).
20.
The three files which contain information about O’Meara are: O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP645/1, barcode 636070; O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149; and O’Meara, Martin. Series B2455, barcode 1935366. NAA.
21.
Military Casebook, Claremont Hospital for the Insane, 8 June 1917–9 December 1920. AN200, Acc 1120/27. SROWA.
22.
Day Reports. Series 1771, Item 115, Cons 1120: 4 January 1919. SROWA. Escapes took place on the nights of 4, 7, 11, 12, and 16 January1919.
23.
Paraldehyde was given twice, and bromo-chloral once, ‘to no effect’. Attendants Report Books – Male Patients – Night Reports, Claremont Hospital for the Insane. Series 1771, Item 115, Cons 1120. SROWA.
24.
Day Reports. Series 1771, Item 115, Cons 1120: 12February1919. SROWA.
25.
Day Reports. Series 1771, Item 115, Cons 1120: 3 August1919; 15September1919; 19October1919; 18November1919; 29December1919. SROWA.
26.
Western Australia. Report of the Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly on the Claremont Hospital for the Insane. Perth: Government Printer, 1919.
27.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 166-167. NAA.
28.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP645/1, barcode 636070: 89. NAA.
29.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP645/1, barcode 636070: 42. NAA.
30.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 157. NAA.
31.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 146. NAA.
32.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 145. NAA. Alice’s claim was honoured.
33.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 108. NAA.
34.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 61. NAA.
35.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP645/1, barcode 636070: 50. NAA.
36.
O’Meara, Martin. Series No PP13/1, C5474, barcode 636149: 49-50. NAA
37.
KingS. A Lorrha Miscellany. Lorrha, Ireland: privately published, 2012, 41.
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JonesEWesselyS. Shell shock to PTSD: Military psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War. East Sussex: Psychology Press, 2005, p.19.
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