Just when I thought the Psychobabble Wall of Shame had reached so far down… into the pit of cliches that we psychologist-diagnosis flingers… were holding up the ladder for journalists climbing up to reach the bottom . . .

The psychologist lady on the History Channel says the notorious, murderous, and scandalous Caligula was the way we was because he had (hold on to your shorts!)– Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. 

I know!  I couldn’t believe it either.  Here’s the thing.  Caligula was Emperor of the Roman Empire . . . that is, Caligua lived from year 14 AD to year 41 AD.  That’s right. Think on that one for a minute.  If that lady could diagnose a man who lived THEN, just think how a professional of her intelligent could help out an ordinary Joe.

Most of the time getting YOUR DIAGNOSIS has plusses and minuses.  Emotional illness is a real thing and the right diagnosis can point you to treatment and appropriate medication.  Those are pluses. 

On the minus side–once you have been awarded your diagnosis   (including PMS) or (PMD which is really PMS+, invented to sell that new pill)–other people will blame everything you do on your diagnosis.

So, you have to be careful how you sling your diagnosis thingee around.  I usually recommend keeping it to yourself along with keeping your medication plans to yourself.  Unless you want to over hear other people at the office or a family gathering whispering, “She has depression, you know.” Or, “She’s on medication, you know.”

There you go. Watch out for Greeks or anyone else bearing diagnoses.

Caligula was a pretty crazy guy–orgies, public murders, the works.  But PTSD?