According to the Western chronological records, the first patients who showed PTSD-like symptomatology were recorded in 1666. These records were based on Samuel Pepy’s diary, which described the bizarre behavior pattern of the survivors of the Great Fire of London. Samuel Pepy vividly portrayed the nightmares, intrusions and flashbacks experienced by these survivors.
Although the Western World recorded PTSD-like symptoms in 1666, King Seethawaka Rajasinghe – the 16th Century monarch of Sri Lanka, is believed to have suffered from combat-related PTSD, and his disturbed behavior was recorded in the ancient scripts. The king’s abnormal behavior pattern was described in the Chulawansaya – the ancient chronicle and by the Portuguese historian Fernão de Queyroz. In his publication titled ‘Temporal and Spiritual Conquest of Ceylon, Queyroz writes about King Seethawaka Rajasinghe ‘s behavior in the later stages in detail. These writings came prior to Samuel Pepy’s diary.
The Portuguese came to Sri Lanka in 1505 and launched a massive armed campaign against the islanders. The King Seethawaka Rajasinghe (1544 A.D.D – 1593 A.D) was a great warrior who came to the battlefield at the age of 16. He fought against the Portuguese invaders and witnessed many deaths and destruction. He was a fearless fighter who used proficient war tactics and overpowered the fully equipped and fully trained Portuguese Army that was considered a superpower in the 16th century. e King Seethawaka Rajasinghe defeated the Portuguese in a number of decisive battles. His military campaigns prevented Sri Lanka from becoming a Portuguese Colony. Following long years of combat, King Seethawaka Rajasinghe was exhausted and unquestionably suffered from battle fatigue. In the later years, King Seethawaka Rajasinghe showed outbursts of anger, irritability, deep mistrust, alienation, emotional numbing and various other PTSD-related symptoms.
YouTube Presentation:
King Seethawaka Rajasinghe -The Monarch who suffered from PTSD
History & Psychology Discussion: By Professor Raj Somadeva and Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge;
