A Washington woman has come under fire over claims her PTSD caused by online harassment and Twitter trolls is equal to that of military veterans.

Melody Hensley was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 16 months ago following online abuse, which she says is the result of her being an outspoken feminist and atheist.

She caused upset to many military veterans and their families and friends when she claimed her PTSD from Twitter trolls was as bad as mental anguish suffered by those who do active duty.


Ms Hensley, head of an organisation promoting secular ideas, has suffered from PTSD for more than a year, according to her Twitter account.

In an interview with DailyDot.com, Ms Hensley says she became a target for 'atheist misogynists and men's rights activists' a few years back, following her open status as an atheist and feminist activist.

One man in particular has waged a two-year hate campaign against her by publishing her tweets using Storify, others have cut-and-pasted her tweets into YouTube videos, belittling her claims of PTSD.

She claims to be harassed by a cybermob of ‘more than 400 people’ which led to her diagnosis.

On her Twitter feed Ms Hensley outlines her history of PTSD in several posts, saying she was bedridden for the first six months following her diagnosis, and that she has been so distressed about the online hatred she fears leaving her house unaccompanied.


As a result of her PTSD, Ms Hensley says she is working from her home, but she remains active on Twitter.


On Wednesday she posted several disclaimers to her earlier tweet:

'1) I didn't self-diagnose or decide to have PTSD. I was diagnosed by a very good psychiatrist. I'm not looking for armchair psychiatrists.

'2) I respect military and would call commanders and other authorities only to defend myself against threats.

'3) I don't discount military vets' PTSD. I care about everyone with PTSD. I want people to realize that it is not a military-only condition.'

MailOnline contacted Ms Hensley for comment, but she replied that she is 'not well enough to answer questions'.

So she got PTSD from begin bullied online, so she keeps going online and posting things that could draw a negative response?

Sounds like the definition of insanity.

Our hotel smelled like dead hooker vagina (before you ask I had gotten a detailed description from beardown)

her being an outspoken feminist and atheist.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

Did not read past this point.

Nomination approved.

If you're an outspoken atheist you're most likely an asshole.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

You put forth more absolutes than Mini Ditka.

Are you preaching somewhere this Sunday? I may want to hear this live.

Saying most likely isn't an absolute.

Saying most likely isn't an absolute.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

Declaring someone else's reality "fucking ridiculous", is.

Declaring someone else's reality "fucking ridiculous", is.

No, it's not.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

Calling something or someone fucking ridiculous is expressing an opinion. It's not making an absolutist statement. Not to mention you quoted one of my posts and then tried claiming you were referencing a different post. You're clearly confused here Seacrest. Maybe just sit the next few plays out.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

If you're an outspoken atheist you're most likely an asshole.

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

Wrong.

In my experience it's not wrong. I think most people who are outspoken about religion are assholes. Obviously not all of them.

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby