PTSD: Pathways Through the Secret Door

Medication helps some with mild depression

2012-01-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

By Genevra Pittman

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with mild depression may benefit from taking antidepressants, suggests a new analysis of past studies that compared symptoms in people on the drugs to those given drug-free placebo pills.

Some earlier reports had suggested that antidepressants generally only improve mood in people with severe depression.

But that might be because those studies weren't precise enough to pick up on smaller changes in symptoms that can still make a difference for people with milder forms of the disease, researchers said.

"I think there's a valid concern... that if someone has not-that-severe depression that hasn't lasted that long, maybe it will get better itself or with therapy," said Dr. David Hellerstein, from the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, who worked on the study.

Still, he said the question of whether or not to prescribe medication shouldn't necessarily come down to how severe the depression is, but how long symptoms have lasted.

People with "transient depression" that will improve with diet or exercise or after a few weeks of therapy "shouldn't be taking the risk of being on meds," he told Reuters Health.

"But people who have more persistent depression should be evaluated for treatment and medicine should be one of the options," even when the depression is more modest.

Hellerstein and his colleagues collected data from six studies done at the state's psychiatric institute between 1985 and 2000. Those included 825 people with non-severe, long-lasting depression enrolled in trials that compared symptoms with antidepressant treatment versus a placebo.

In three of the six studies, patients taking an antidepressant improved more on a widely-used scale of depression symptoms and severity than those taking a placebo, and in four studies, a higher percentage of patients taking antidepressants went into remission, meaning they were no longer considered to have clinically-significant depression.

Depending on the particular drug and study, the researchers calculated that between three and eight people with non-severe depression would have to be treated with an antidepressant for one to benefit substantially from it.

That, they wrote in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, is "a range considered by researchers as sufficiently robust to recommend treatment."

The drugs tested in those studies included Prozac, as well as older and now less-popular medications known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants. It's hard to know how well the findings would apply for newer antidepressants, the researchers said.

The results don't mean that everyone with mild depression should be on an antidepressant, a psychiatrist not involved in the study pointed out.

"People with these milder depressions also respond well to counseling and psychotherapy and can respond well to exercise," said Dr. Michael Thase, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

"This is basically saying, these antidepressants aren't that good, and you should also consider other treatment options and don't just focus on the thing that's the easiest," he told Reuters Health.

The researchers said that some combination of antidepressants and talk therapy is considered most effective in depression treatment -- but getting therapy is often more expensive and time-consuming than medication.

Talk therapy can run $100 or more per session, while generic brands of antidepressants usually cost about $20 per month. Drugs may come with side effects, including insomnia and stomach aches, but they're usually minor, according to Hellerstein.

Still, people on antidepressants should be followed closely by a doctor to see how they're responding to treatment, he said.

Several of the authors of the current study reported having received funding for other research projects from drug companies that make antidepressants.

One recent study found that some depressed people on the antidepressant Cymbalta did worse than the comparison placebo group -- but the majority got some benefit (see Reuters Health story of December 9, 2011).

"I believe the basic finding that drugs are more effective than placebo," Thase said.

But, "The benefits of antidepressants may not be that dramatic in patients with milder depressions for whom many other (non-drug) strategies can also be considered."

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Ending Nightmares Caused By PTSD

2012-01-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

Amy Standen, KQED

Everyone has nightmares sometimes. But for people with PTSD, it's different.

Sam Brace doesn't want to talk about what he saw when he was a soldier in Iraq eight years ago. In fact, it's something he's actively trying not to dwell on. But what he can't control are his dreams.

They're almost always about the same explosion. "When I was overseas, we'd hit an IED," Brace says. "When I have a nightmare, normally it's something related to that."

Healthy dreams seem kind of random, according to Steven Woodward, a psychologist with the National Center for PTSD at the VA Medical Center in Menlo Park, Calif. "They're wacky," he says. "They associate lots of things that are not normally associated."

PTSD dreams are the same real-life event played over and over again like a broken record. "Replicative nightmares of traumatic events ... repeat for years," Woodward says. "Sometimes 20 years."

Scientists wanted to find out the reason why people with PTSD can't sleep and dream normally. One theory comes from Matthew Walker, a psychology researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. His particular interest lies in rapid eye movement, or REM. It's the time during sleep when a lot of dreaming occurs.

It's also a time when the chemistry of the brain actually changes. Levels of norepinephrine — a kind of adrenaline — drop out completely. REM sleep is the only time of day when this happens. That struck Walker as a mystery. "Why would rapid eye movement sleep suppress this neurochemical?" he asks. "Is there any function to that?"

Walker found that in healthy people, REM sleep is kind of like therapy. It's an adrenaline-free environment where the brain can process its memories while sort of stripping off their sharp, emotional edges. "You come back the next day, and it doesn't trigger that same visceral reaction that you had at the time of learning."

Emotions are useful, he says. They show us what really matters to us. "But I don't think it's adaptive to hold onto that emotional blanket around those memories forever," he says. "They've done their job at the time of learning, then it's time to hold on to the information of that memory, but let go of the emotion."

Walker's theory suggests that in people with PTSD, REM sleep is broken. The adrenaline doesn't go away like it's supposed to. The brain can't process tough memories, so it just cycles through them, again and again.

So, what if you could make the adrenaline just go away? Enter prazosin.

Pfizer Inc. introduced the drug under the brand name Minipress in the 1970s to treat high blood pressure. Dr. Murray Raskind, a VA psychiatrist in Seattle, says the drug, now generic, can cost anywhere between 5 and 15 cents. And, actually, it's not terribly effective as a blood pressure medication, he says.

But what prazosin does do is make people less sensitive to adrenaline. About a decade ago, Raskind starting giving prazosin to some of his PTSD patients, including one Vietnam War veteran.

"He had this recurrent nightmare of being trapped by the Vietcong forces in a landing zone and having his best friend killed in front of his eyes by a mortar round," Raskind says.

After a few weeks of treatment with prazosin, the veteran came in for a follow-up appointment. Raskind says the veteran told him that he wasn't sure the medication was working. He was still having the same dream over and over — just about something else. He told Raskind that in the new dream he was in his fifth grade classroom and there was a test. If he didn't pass the test, he wasn't going to be promoted to the next grade. But he never even got the assignment.

"I said, 'That's my nightmare!' " Raskind says.

Indeed, the veteran's new dream was the stress dream of a healthy brain trying to work things out, Raskind says.

This year, the VA is expected to finish up its trial for prazosin. It's already prescribing the drug to about 15 percent of its PTSD patients. Raskind, of course, would like to see that number rise.

"To us, it's a simple thing that works," he says.

How to Train Your Brain to Alleviate Anxiety

2012-01-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

How to Train Your Brain to Alleviate Anxiety

By Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.

Our thoughts affect our brains. More specifically, “… what you pay attention to, what you think and feel and want, and how you work with your reactions to things sculpt your brain in multiple ways,” according to neuropsychologist Rick Hanson, Ph.D, in his newest book Just One Thing: Developing A Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time. In other words, how you use your mind can change your brain.

According to Canadian scientist Donald Hebb, “Neurons that fire together, wire together.” If your thoughts focus on worrying and self-criticism, you’ll develop neural structures of anxiety and a negative sense of self, says Hanson.

For instance, individuals who are constantly stressed (such as acute or traumatic stress) release cortisol, which in another article Hanson says eats away at the memory-focused hippocampus. People with a history of stress have lost up to 25 percent of the volume of their hippocampus and have more difficulty forming new memories.

The opposite also is true. Engaging in relaxing activities regularly can wire your brain for calm. Research has shown that people who routinely relax have “improved expression of genes that calm down stress reactions, making them more resilient,” Hanson writes.

Also, over time, people who engage in mindfulness meditation develop thicker layers of neurons in the attention-focused parts of the prefrontal cortex and in the insula, an area that’s triggered when we tune into our feelings and bodies.

Other research has shown that being mindful boosts activation of the left prefrontal cortex, which suppresses negative emotions, and minimizes the activation of the amygdala, which Hanson refers to as the “alarm bell of the brain.”

Hanson’s book gives readers a variety of exercises to cultivate calm and self-confidence and to enjoy life. Here are three anxiety-alleviating practices to try.

1. “Notice you’re all right right now.” For many of us sitting still is a joke — as in, it’s impossible. According to Hanson, “To keep our ancestors alive, the brain evolved an ongoing internal trickle of unease. This little whisper of worry keeps you scanning your inner and outer world for signs of trouble.”

Being on high alert is adaptive. It’s meant to protect us. But this isn’t so helpful when we’re trying to soothe our stress and keep calm. Some of us — me included — even worry that if we relax for a few minutes, something bad will happen. (Of course, this isn’t true.)

Hanson encourages readers to focus on the present and to realize that right now in this moment, you’re probably OK. He says that focusing on the future forces us to worry and focusing on the past leads to regret. Whatever activity you’re engaged in, whether it’s driving, cooking dinner or replying to email, Hanson suggests saying, “I’m all right right now.”

Of course, there will be moments when you won’t be all right. In these times, Hanson suggests that after you ride out the storm, “… as soon as possible, notice that the core of your being is okay, like the quiet place fifty feet underwater, beneath a hurricane howling above the sea.”

2. “Feel safer.” “Evolution has given us an anxious brain,” Hanson writes. So, whether there’s a tiger in the bushes doesn’t matter, because staying away in both cases keeps us alive. But, again, this also keeps us hyper-focused on avoiding danger day to day. And depending on our temperaments and life experiences, we might be even more anxious.

Most people overestimate threats. This leads to excessive worrying, anxiety, stress-related aliments, less patience and generosity with others and a shorter fuse, according to Hanson.

Are you more guarded or anxious than you need to be? If so, Hanson suggests the following for feeling safer:

Think of how it feels to be with a person who cares about you and connect to those feelings and sensations.
Remember a time when you felt strong.
List some of the resources at your disposal to cope with life’s curveballs.
Take several long, deep breaths.
Become more in tune with what it feels like to feel safer. “Let those good feelings sink in, so you can remember them in your body and find your way back to them in the future.”

3. “Let go.” Letting go is hard. Even though clinging to clutter, regrets, resentment, unrealistic expectations or unfulfilling relationships is painful, we might be afraid that letting go makes us weak, shows we don’t care or lets someone off the hook. What holds you back in letting go?

Letting go is liberating. Hanson says that letting go might mean releasing pain or damaging thoughts or deeds or yielding instead of breaking. He offers a great analogy:

“When you let go, you’re like a supple and resilient willow tree that bends before the storm, still here in the morning — rather than a stiff oak that ends up broken and toppled over.”

Here are some of Hanson’s suggestions for letting go:

Be aware of how you let go naturally every day, whether it’s sending an email, taking out the trash, going from one thought or feeling to another or saying goodbye to a friend.
Let go of tension in your body. Take long and slow exhalations, and relax your shoulders, jaw and eyes.
Let go of things you don’t need or use.
Resolve to let go of a certain grudge or resentment. “This does not necessarily mean letting other people off the moral hook, just that you are letting yourself off the hotplate of staying upset about whatever happened,” Hanson writes. If you still feel hurt, he suggests recognizing your feelings, being kind to yourself and gently releasing them.
Let go of painful emotions. Hanson recommends several books on this topic: Focusing by Eugene Gendlin and What We May Be by Piero Ferrucci. In his book, Hanson summarizes his favorite methods: “relax your body;” “imagine that the feelings are flowing out of you like water’” express your feelings in a letter that you won’t send or vent aloud; talk to a good friend; and be open to positive feelings and let them replace the negative ones.

Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. is an Associate Editor at Psych Central and blogs regularly about eating and self-image issues on her own blog, Weightless.

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The case for medical marijuana research on PTSD

2011-12-28T07:13:00.000-08:00

My colleagues and I have a going "battle" over is it worth it for PTSD or not.. I'm the only one that seems to be against it's use for PTSD

How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

Stop investing in others before you get a return on yourself....

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Fix yourself by investing in knowledge....

Get rid of the psychic vampires in your life....

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San Diego naval hospital testing unusual PTSD treatment

2011-12-26T11:24:00.000-08:00

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

December 26, 2011

Reporting from San Diego -- The Pentagon is spending hundreds of millions of dollars searching for a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, the overarching term for the nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety and restlessness suffered by many troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nearly all of the dozens of research projects involve long-term counseling and prescription drugs.

But researchers at the Naval Medical Center San Diego believe that something as seemingly simple as injections of an anesthetic given to women during childbirth may be effective in alleviating the symptoms associated with PTSD.

Early testing on several dozen veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts has proved promising, with some, although not all, showing signs of relief from stellate ganglion block treatment, researchers said.

"It may be a significant tool in our armory" to fight PTSD, said Dr. Robert McLay, a psychiatrist and director of mental health research at the medical center.

McLay, whose book "At War With PTSD" will soon be published by Johns Hopkins University Press, says he was skeptical when he first heard about the treatment.

"I thought this was a little wacky when it was mentioned," he said.

But now McLay and Dr. Anita Hickey, a Navy captain and pain control specialist, are midway through a two-year study of 40-plus active-duty Marines, sailors and soldiers diagnosed with PTSD. One of the early findings is that volunteers receiving the injections are doing better than those receiving placebos.

McLay and Hickey hope to present their findings to the American Psychiatric Assn. at its May convention in Philadelphia.

Many questions are yet to be answered: Why does the treatment appear to work on some patients but not others? How many shots are needed? What about side effects? Are combat cases of PTSD different from non-combat cases?

"There is a lot to be studied," Hickey said.

Still, if the treatment proves effective, much of the credit will go to Dr. Eugene Lipov, a Chicago anesthesiologist who has pioneered its use among his patients, many of them former military personnel.

"If we don't get PTSD under control, our crime rate and social disability are going to be out of control," said Lipov, founder of Chicago's Advanced Pain Centers.

In hopes of treating recent veterans or active-duty personnel, Lipov submitted three applications for federal research funding. He was rejected three times by the Pentagon despite, in 2007, having support from the junior senator from Illinois at the time, Barack Obama.

Then, a Navy doctor from San Diego heard Lipov's impassioned testimony before a congressional committee and was intrigued. That led to a $250,000 grant to the Naval Medical Center San Diego, a modest amount in the world of medical research.

In fiscal year 2010, the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery allocated $800 million for more than 80 research projects on PTSD.

One of Lipov's patients, Raleigh Showens, 64, of McHenry, Ill., had suffered from PTSD since returning from service as an Army medic in Vietnam. "All I saw was torment, death and destruction," he said in a telephone interview.

A year ago, frustrated with counseling and medication, Showens said, he was on the verge of suicide. He took up Lipov's offer of free treatment and received an injection on Dec. 20.

"That was the first night in 40-plus years that I'd slept all night," he said. But three days later, the effect seemed to wear off, and Showens needed a second injection.

Showens said he feels so good that he has quit all counseling and medication.

McLay said his theory is that if the injection method proves effective, it will be best used in addition to therapy, not as a substitute. "I think it will be good to have a variety of treatments," he said.

There are differences between the work of Lipov and the Navy researchers involving what drug is best (obstetricians use several different ones for epidurals) and what is the best method for locating the precise location in the neck for the injection (Lipov likes X-ray, Hickey prefers ultrasound).

The treatment aims to affect the body's sympathetic nervous system through the nerves in the neck. The bundle of nerves that control the "fight or flight" syndrome in the brain are known as the stellate ganglion.

The injection, Lipov said, "resets" the nerve bundle to calm down the agitation and "hypervigilance" that are common to PTSD sufferers. Although denied federal funding, Lipov has received $81,000 from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and has 10 veterans enrolled in his own study.

Lipov and Maryam Navaie, president and chief executive of the La Jolla-based Advance Health Solutions, plan a trip to Washington early next year to lobby key members of Congress.

And in February, Military Medicine, the monthly publication of the Assn. of Military Surgeons of the U.S., will publish an article by Lipov, Navaie, Hickey and four other researchers discussing Lipov's findings and the early results from the Naval Medical Center San Diego study.

On one point all the researchers agree: PTSD will remain a medical challenge long after the end of the wars. McLay said PTSD, by different names, can be traced to the days of Achilles and the Spartans.

"I see Marines, SEALs, Green Berets — the toughest men on earth — and they still have PTSD," McLay said.

tony.perry@latimes.com

Fewer veterans with PTSD using anti-anxiety drugs

2011-12-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Use of a class of anti-anxiety drugs fell during the past decade among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, a large U.S. study shows.

The trend is encouraging, researchers say, because current guidelines recommend against using the drugs, benzodiazepines, to treat symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"One of our concerns is that it's very, very difficult to get patients off benzodiazepines," said Dr. Matthew Friedman, executive director of the National Center for PTSD and a professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth, who co-authored the study.

Benzodiazepines include the medications alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin). They are used to manage conditions such as anxiety and insomnia, which are often linked to PTSD. Long-term use of the drugs can lead to high tolerance and addiction.

The study, which looked at data from more than 498,000 patients in the Veterans Affairs health care system between 1999 and 2009, found decreases in the frequency, duration and doses of benzodiazepines given to veterans with PTSD.

Treating veterans with PTSD will become even more important in coming years, the team notes, due to recent and ongoing U.S. military conflicts. The number of veterans with PTSD treated in the Veterans Affairs health care system rose nearly 200 percent between 1999 and 2009.

The percentage of PTSD patients given benzodiazepines fell from about 37 percent in 1999 to about 31 percent in 2009. Of patients taking the drugs, the proportion of long-term (more than 90 days) users dropped from about 69 percent in 2000 to about 64 percent in 2009. Daily doses fell 14 percent on average, according to findings published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Veterans with PTSD have an increased risk for harm because they often also suffer from substance abuse disorders, the researchers note. Estimates place the co-occurrence of alcohol abuse and PTSD around 25 percent, or higher, nationally.

Emerging evidence also suggests benzodiazepines may interfere with prolonged exposure therapy, which has been one of the most effective treatments for PTSD, Friedman said.

Guidelines issued by the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs earlier this year recommend against using the drugs to treat veterans with PTSD. Instead, experts generally recommend psychotherapy to treat core symptoms such as hypervigilance, avoidance and flashbacks. The guidelines also recommend using antidepressant medications to treat PTSD symptoms.

"We believe a lot of benzodiazepines are being prescribed for problems with sleep, which is also a symptom of depression," Friedman told Reuters Health. "If we treat the depression, perhaps the insomnia will also go away."

The study found that new PTSD patients -- those who were diagnosed and began treatment at a Veterans Affairs medical center -- in 2009 were prescribed benzodiazepines at the lowest rate, about 21 percent. Newly diagnosed patients are often the first to benefit from updated treatment guidelines.

TRADING ONE RISK FOR ANOTHER?

But the possibility that benzodiazepines are simply being swapped out for other risky drugs concerns some experts.

Substituting more modern medications such as zolpidem (Ambien) or quetiapine (an antipsychotic) is not the answer, said Dr. Alexander Neumeister, a professor of psychiatry and radiology at New York University.

"Unfortunately, when you look into databases like the VA's, it is pretty evident that there is a lot of off-label use of medications like quetiapine to treat sleep issues," Neumeister told Reuters Health, referring to the ability of doctors to prescribe drugs approved for conditions other than PTSD.

"Even if you avoid the abuse problem, you're nevertheless treating a patient with a medication that really should not be used for that indication. Not at all."

The study authors also recognized that possibility.

"We are trying to characterize these diagnoses to get a better handle on who's prescribing what, who's getting what, and for what reasons," said Friedman. "Based on that information, we can develop our educational approaches to inform clinicians who may not be as familiar with clinical practice guidelines."

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/rAcuOG Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

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Hidden Self in the Healing Processes

2011-12-14T18:33:00.000-08:00

Working toward healing the hidden being, for some is next to impossible. Most of the problems people have when working toward self-healing arises from misconceptions, doubts, or fears. The fear is often the root of the problem that hinders the person from discovering self.

The hidden self is buried in the subliminal conscious, which makes up our unconscious and subconscious mind. In this area, the mind is unintentional, yet millions of problems emerge because it is triggered.

When the mind is triggered, the emotions kick in and react to whatever memory the trigger hit. For instance, if the trigger stimulated a sad memory, such as the loss of a loved one, thus the emotions will react accordingly. You may find yourself in tears and many times not know why despite that memory emerged. This is because you did not have a resolve. Rather you repressed memories of the loved one dying. The repressed memories sunk, deep in your subliminal mind, which they rest until you are willing to discover why you feel the way you do.

Of course, grievance comes along with death. You probably openly grieved during the time your loved one died, which is normal, yet instead of facing the reality and going on with your life fully; you likely buried some of the pain in the subliminal mind. Moreover, something in your past could have triggered you.

In other words, perhaps long ago in your past, a similar action occurred, which at this time you were not ready to handle the stress and pain. You perhaps repressed the memories, which may had triggered other memories during the time of the loved ones death.

All of our pain and suffering comes from our past experiences, knowledge, learning, observations and so on. Everything we feel develops over the years and builds up. Most of the memories we may recall, yet many of these memories we often repress, which later nags us until we explore the subliminal conscious mind to find answers.

In this turn of events, hidden self in the healing processes becomes a task, yet if we have useful techniques and practice them daily, the task of subliminal learning becomes lighter.

How to discover useful techniques for self-healing:
Visiting the Internet is the place to find useful techniques for self-healing. Over the past 3 or 4 years, self-healing has been a major topic. You will find scores of articles that can assist you with the processes of healing the subliminal self. In the meantime, consider meditation.

Go to a peaceful environment. Recline, lying back, stretching your entire body in a comfortable position. Make sure that all distractions are removed.

Close your eyes. If you feel uneasy when closing your eyes then leave, your eyes open. You will need your visual tools. Using visualization picture yourself anywhere you wish to be. Put your self in natural surroundings. Studies show that people who connect with nature often heal sooner. Go to a faraway land. Visit any country you like, or any area in the world that you like. Allow your thoughts to express memories. Even if the memories come in parts, allow your memories to show you to the way to self-healing.

With each thought, move to acceptance, Even if the memory is something that causes you pain. Learn to accept that these are the things you can’t change; rather these memories are part of what made you who you are today. Continue. As you meditate, continue into the faraway area you visualized. Upon the point of complete relaxation, commence to explore your mind.

How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

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Invest in yourself ten-fold....

Fix yourself by investing in knowledge....

Get rid of the psychic vampires in your life....

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Mobile App: PTSD Coach

2011-12-06T03:24:00.000-08:00

Mobile App: PTSD Coach

PTSD Coach mobile app wins FCC award for helping people use technology to manage PTSD symptoms.

The PTSD Coach app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Features include:

Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work
Tools for screening and tracking your symptoms
Convenient, easy-to-use skills to help you handle stress symptoms
Direct links to support and help
Always with you when you need it

Free PTSD Coach download from:
iTunes and now also on Android Market

Together with professional medical treatment, PTSD Coach provides you dependable resources you can trust. If you have, or think you might have PTSD, this app is for you. Family and friends can also learn from this app. PTSD Coach was created by the VA's National Center for PTSD and the DoD's National Center for Telehealth and Technology.

NOTE: PTSD is a serious mental health condition that often requires professional evaluation and treatment. PTSD Coach is not intended to replace needed professional care. The questionnaire used in PTSD Coach, the PTSD Checklist (PCL), is a reliable and valid self-report measure used across VA, DoD, and in the community, but it is not intended to replace professional evaluation.

Providing you with facts and self-help skills based on research.

Privacy and Security

Any data created by the user of this app are only as secure as the phone/device itself. Use the security features on your device if you are concerned about the privacy of your information. Users are free to share data, but as the self-monitoring data belong to each user, HIPAA concerns do not apply while the data is stored or shared. If the user were to transmit or share data with a health care provider, the provider must then comply with HIPAA rules.

Watch for other additions:

PTSD Coach for Android now available on Android Market
PTSD Family Coach (coming soon)

8 Ways to Keep Your Sanity During the Holidays

2011-12-01T14:49:00.000-08:00

By Therese J. Borchard

The weather outside might be frightful but inside it’s definitely worse. According to New York psychologist Jay Seitz, 25 percent of people experience some kind of holiday anxiety or depression. That is, one in four people sipping eggnog feel like that stale, bland, unpopular fruitcake that was re-gifted five times before it was fed to the neighbor’s cat on Christmas Eve. Yes, the holidays do bring a magic and excitement to the month of December, but the stress, loneliness, and blues pre-packaged with the festivities can be enough to drag a quarter of us across the tenuous line from sanity to insanity.

Here are eight tips intended to keep you from hurling the mistletoe at Uncle Fred because he asked for the butter in the wrong tone of voice.

1. Find your kind of people

The good/bad news of holiday depression is that so many people suffer from it that it’s easy to find a person with whom to relate. It’s unfortunate that one-fourth of the US population would prefer to skip the month on December. However, this means that people who hide from carolers are certainly not alone—and, if they join up with the folks chucking holiday letters in the trash unopened, they will feel a companionship that can definitely lift their moods. The trick is identifying this 25 percent.

Here’s a hint. They are typically the ones who don’t say much after the question, “How are you?” Or, if they do, their response is something like, “Okay… How are you?,” which is code for “How the hell do you think I am?” Stick with them.

2. Embrace your inner slacker

Stress is usually the biggest culprit behind the holiday blues. Stress does bad, bad, bad things to your body, places toxins into your bloodstream, whacks out your heart and other organs. It produces hormones that can change your personality from that of June Cleaver to Sybil.

So your biggest chance at combating holiday anxiety and depression is to eliminate as much stress as you can. And at that statement you just rolled your eyes, like I do every time my mom or my husband says that to me. I look at my to-do list and each item whispers, “You can’t cut me. You need me, remember?”

That’s when I take the red pen and start marking up the page. Christmas cards. Do I REALLY need to send 250 of them? No. Do I even need to send 50? Not really. Let’s put that on the “Would be nice if I have time” list. In other words, you need to embrace your inner slacker, and tell her that you need her help this holiday season.

3. Slow your breath

Slowing down your breath is one of those easy, simple strategies to boost your mood that seems too easy and simple to work. But it does. Because the first thing we do, as a sort of knee-jerk reaction, when we are stressed is speed up our breathing, and start breathing from the chest instead of the diaphragm, which supplies more oxygen to our brain cells. I use the most basic of breathing exercises called the “Four Step” method. You don’t have to do anything but count to four as you breathe in, count to four holding your breath, count to four breathing out, and count to four while resting. Then do it again. If you were unable to follow that, you might want to make an appointment with a professional. If that doesn’t, you know, stress you out.

4. Watch the Inner Critic

You know the little Elf on the Shelf that comes out every holiday season and moves about the house before breakfast each morning? He is supposed to overhear conversations of holiday gift lists, etc. so that he can report back to Santa. Yeah, well, during the holidays, another little guy comes out, too, and he is called the Inner Critic. However, unlike the Little Elf, this twerp is invisible and resides somewhere in the gray mater of your brain. He likes to convince you that you are lazy, weak, stupid, unlovable, ugly, unsuccessful, and basically every other insult you have called yourself over the years. There is no rationale behind his statements. He just likes to make you feel insecure. And he does a great job of it during the holidays. This is his season! But if you watch out for him, and identify his voice before you go one believing his lies, you will save a bit of the self-esteem and confidence you will need to get through your holiday get-togethers.

5. Prepare for idiots

Just as there exists an Inner Critic inside all of us, there also exists idiots outside of us. I’m poking fun a little, but this is a universal truth, and the truth shall ultimately set you free, or at least help you defend yourself this holiday season. If you can identify the idiots, you can brace yourself for their unintentional (or intentional) attacks. In my piece, “The Idiot’s Guide to Dealing With Idiots,” I give a few pointers on how to manage interactions with folks lacking the open-mindedness, intelligence, or empathy needed for a healthy conversation. I like to envision myself in a bubble, protected from any toxin trying to penetrate my being. I also allow time for recovery after seeing an idiot, because chances are good that I will need to do something that reminds me that her assessment of me isn’t accurate.

6. Be sure to laugh

Laughing is as important as eating lots of salmon and spinach (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that my brain needs) and regular exercise. Humor is a powerful healing element for me (and I surmise for everyone) because it allows me to see a situation from the right perspective. That is why I make sure and post fun stuff on Beyond Blue during December that has the potential to invoke some harsh comments from folks that really need a better sense of humor: The 12 Bipolar Days of Christmas, Christmas Carols and Disorders, and The Dysfunctional Holiday Letter. Let’s face it: If you are not laughing at a holiday letter that discusses at length the successful potty training of triplets or a best-selling memoir composed at the top of Mount Everest, then you are losing out on some great holiday fun.

7. Spot holiday thinking

So we have now identified the Inner Critic and the idiot, losers that can make you grit your teeth every time you hear a Christmas carol. There is a third enemy that is part of the Holiday Axis of Evil: stinking holiday thinking. Related to the other two bad boys, this kind of thinking surfaces during the month of December to sabotage your holiday spirit. However, knowing how to untwist the distorted thinking will release you from its negative energy.

Dr. David Burns names ten forms of distorted thinking in his bestseller “Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy.” My favorites are black and white thinking, jumping to conclusions, mindreading, overgeneralization, and saying “should” WAY too much. (“I SHOULD bake Christmas cookies for the whole neighborhood like Mrs. Johnson does every year.”)

Burns offers 15 techniques to untwist the distortions. The most helpful for me is to “record the evidence,” an exercise in documenting how things really are, not how they seem to be in one of your insecure moments.

8. Acknowledge the loneliness

For some reason, it seems like most deaths or break-ups happen around the holidays. So the memories of losing a loved one also fall around December. The sense of loss and loneliness can be overwhelming at this time because every few feet you run into a holiday advertisement gracing a couple wrapped in each other’s arms — wide, Colgate smiles — with an angelic baby, adorable puppy, or exquisite diamond necklace in the picture. For anyone estranged in anyway from a significant other or loved ones, this can pour salt in very fresh wounds.

I don’t have any quick tips for this one. But I do take some solace in knowing that everyone — well, except for the idiots — suffer, in some way, from loneliness or loss around the holidays. Just as it is a season of celebrating the many gifts in our lives, it also can be a time that calls to mind what pains us. And just knowing that I’m not alone in that cycle… well, it gives me peace.

Therese J. Borchard is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit. Visit her website or follow her on Twitter @thereseborchard.

End Anxious Thoughts In 4 Easy Steps

2011-11-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

After having visited my site I can almost imagine what your repetitive anxious thought might be.

Maybe it’s a fear of:

-a panic attack
-never being free of general anxiety
-a bodily sensation that worries you
-a fear of losing control to anxiety

My name is Barry McDonagh and I have successfully taught thousands of people in over 30 different countries, how to end general anxiety and panic attacks.

Whatever your particular fear is, I want to share some tips and techniques with you over the coming days that will not only help you end these fears but also reduce your general anxiety level dramatically.

After many years of coaching people to be anxiety free, I have noticed that those who experience panic attacks or general anxiety almost always deal with the frequent occurrence of anxious thoughts.

Anxiety has a sneaky way of seeding doubt regardless of whether the fear is rational or irrational.

So what can be done for people who suffer from repetitive anxious thoughts?

To begin, lets look at how an anxious thought is powered and then I will demonstrate how to quickly eliminate the intensity of the thought.

Say for example you are going about your daily business when an anxious thought enters your mind.

Whatever the nature of the thought, the pattern that follows is usually quite predictable.

The anxious thought flashes briefly in your awareness and as it does so you immediately react with fear as you contemplate the thought. The fearful reaction you have to the thought then sends a shock-wave through your nervous system. You feel the result of that fear most intensely in your stomach (due to the amount of nerve endings located there).

Because of the intense bodily reaction to the thought you then get sucked into examining the anxious thought over and over.

The continuous fearful reaction you have to the thought, increases the intensity of the experience. The more you react, the stronger the thought rebounds again in your awareness creating more anxious shock-waves throughout your body. This is the typical cycle of anxious thoughts.

For some it feels like the anxious thoughts are hijacking their peace of mind.

Because of the reaction you are having, you may continue to spend the rest of your day thinking about the anxious thoughts you experienced.

“Why am I thinking these thoughts?” “Why can’t I shake off this eerie feeling?”

The harder you try not to think about it, the more upset you become. It is like telling someone

‘Whatever happens do not think of a pink elephant’.

Naturally enough it’s all they can think about. That’s the way our brains our wired.

So how can you eliminate these unwanted anxious thoughts?

To begin with:

-when you start to experience anxious thoughts, it is very important not to force the thoughts away.

Let the thoughts in. The more comfortable you can become with them, the better. These thoughts will never go away fully but what you can learn is to change your reaction to them.

By changing your reaction to the anxious thoughts you become free of them.

Once you establish a new way of reacting to the thoughts it does not matter if you have them or not. Your reaction is what defines the whole experience (and that applies to almost everything).

Everybody experiences fleeting thoughts that many would consider scary or crazy. The difference between most people and somebody who gets caught up in them, is that the average person sees them for exactly what they are, fleeting anxious thoughts, and casually ignores them.

The anxious person is at a disadvantage as they already have a certain level of anxiety in their system. The thoughts easily spark feelings of further anxiety which builds into a cycle of fear. You break the cycle by changing how you react to the fearful thought.

Here is an example of how to approach this:

You are enjoying the way your day is going but then all of sudden a fearful thought comes to mind.

Before you would react with anxiety to the idea and then try to force that thought out of your mind.

This time, however, say:

“That’s a fear of X. I could worry and even obsess over that but this time I’m going to do something different. I’m not going to react to it. I’m also not going to try and stop it either. I’m just going to label the thought and not react.”

Then the thought comes again with more intensity and possibly with new ‘scary’ angles you never considered. When this happens you do exactly the same. As if you were observing a cloud passing overhead, you simply

-Observe it,
-Label it (fear of whatever), then
-Watch it as it passes by with no judgment.

then

-Move your attention on to what you were doing.

Observe, Label, Watch, Move on

See the anxious thought for what it really is: -one of the thousands of fleeting sane and insane thoughts every one of us experiences daily.

If you are a more indoors type of person then instead of thinking of the thoughts like clouds passing in the sky, you might try imagining a large cinema screen and the anxious thoughts are projected out onto the screen in front of you. Play around with this approach. Find what works for you.

The key thing to remember is to:

Observe, Label, Watch, Move on

By practicing this approach you gradually stop reacting with fear to the thought and you learn to treat it as nothing more than an odd peculiarity.

When you are at a stage where you are comfortable doing the above exercise and you feel you are making good progress, then try this additional step:

Actually invite one of your more regular fearful thoughts in.

Call the fear to you, say you just want it to come close so you can observe it.

It may seem like the last thing you would wish to bring upon yourself, as you don’t particularly enjoy these thoughts but this approach can be very empowering. You are now calling the shots. You actually invited the issue in.

By doing this you are discharging the dense vibration of fear surrounding the anxious thought. That fear was sustaining itself on your resistance, -the idea that you could not handle these thoughts.

The fear quickly evaporates when you turn around and say “yes of course I can handle these thoughts.”

Fear intensifies when we pull away from it. Anxious thoughts become a mental tug of war if we struggle with them.

It is the mental struggle of pulling against the anxious thoughts that creates the inner psychological tension.

The inner tension is fueled by thoughts like:

“I can’t handle to think about this -please go away”
“I don’t like that thought- I want it to stop!”

Take a different stance. Invite anxious thoughts in. Willingly sit with them, label them and do your very best not to react.

Yes, it does take practice but very soon you find yourself in a unique position of control. You are no longer a victim of fearful thinking but a decision maker in what you will or will not be concerned about.

As with every technique there is always a level of practice involved in the beginning. Initially you start observing but then suddenly get anxious about the fearful thought. That’s very normal in the beginning.

Keep at it. Practice and you will quickly see how less impacting those fearful thoughts become.

Do not let your mind trick you into believing that your anxiety is something you will always have to struggle with. That is simply not true.

Not alone is it possible to control the occurrence of anxious thoughts but I can teach you how to end panic attack s and general anxiety if that is your goal.

You can have the life of your dreams. Anxiety does not have the right to steal that hope from you.

I’m going to e-mail you my mini series. It will help reduce anxiety levels significantly.

Some of this information forms a small part of the Panic Away Program. My full program eliminates panic attacks and general anxiety very quickly and has proved highly successful with both long and short term sufferers of anxiety. The results speak for themselves.

To Learn more about Panic Away visit: www.PanicAway.com

Here are some of the things you will learn from Panic Away…

-Learn how to be empowered and gain confidence by engaging a simple technique to defuse any panic attack.
-The four most powerful approaches to creating an enduring anxiety buffer zone (particularly useful for those who experience GAD).<
-Learn to avoid making the one mistake almost everyone makes during a panic attack episode.

Here is a small sample of how the course has helped others:

…learned more from reading your program than I did from all the psychologists and other practitioners I had seen in the 25 years

I must tell you that out of all the items you can purchase regarding anxiety related products on the internet, I learned more from reading your program than I did from all the psychologists and other practitioners I had seen in the 25 years that I’ve had this condition.

I had been on Xanax and Klonopin for about 10 years, but this December, I decided to withdraw from it thinking I didn’t need the pills anymore according to some of the programs I ordered claiming “miracle cures”. That’s when all my symptoms started again. I felt as if I had wasted the past 20 years trying to get better.That’s when I started searching the web for home based “cures”. I ordered so many programs I started to get confused from too much conflicting advice. Also, I was promised support but I am still waiting replies from some of the more expensive programs!

You are a true gentleman, and I am going to post a very positive feedback on a website you might be familiar about called: Tapir?

Talk to ya, Andy

=================================<

…I DEBATED ORDERING YOUR PROGRAM BECAUSE I HAVE SPENT APPROX. $8,000 IN THE LAST 5 YEARS

I RAN ACROSS YOUR PROGRAM SUNDAY, FEB. 5th. I DEBATED ORDERING YOUR PROGRAM BECAUSE I HAVE SPENT APPROX. $8,000 IN THE LAST 5 YEARS OF MY LIFE TRYING EVERYTHING FROM PANIC SUPPORT CLASSES, MEDICATION, COUNSELING AND THE LIST GOES ON, ALL TO RID MYSELF OF PANIC ATTACKS. SOMETHING INSIDE ME SAID, JUST KEEP TRYING, SO I DID. AFTER 5 YEARS OF OF LIVING MY LIFE WITH THE WORLD ON MY SHOULDERS I AM EXCITED TO SAY THAT I AM NOW PANIC FREE. AFTER ONE TIME OF APPLYING YOUR ONE MOVE TECHNIQUE, I AM A NEW PERSON.

ONE OF MY MANY FEARS THAT I DEVELOPED WAS DRIVING. AFTER READING YOUR PROGRAM AT 12.30 AT NIGHT I WROTE DOWN SOME QUICK NOTES FROM YOUR “ONE MOVE TECH.” I RAN OUT OF MY HOUSE AND DROVE TOWARD THE DARKEST SCARIEST ROAD WHERE NOBODY WAS NEAR BY.

THIS WOULD DEFINITLY BRING ON AN FULL PANIC ATTACK, WHICH IT DID. WHILE LETTING MYSELF FEEL THE EMOTIONS RUN THROUGH ME, I DID EXACTLY WHAT YOU TOLD ME TO DO, I WAS SCARED AS HELL BUT STOOD MY GROUND. I INSTANTLY CALMED AND EVEN TRIED TO BRING THE ATTACK BACK ON, BUT COULD NOT. I LITTERALLY LAUGHED OUT LOUD AND SAT IN MY TRUCK AMAZED. AFTER ALL THIS TIME THAT WAS ALL I HAD TO DO. THE COMPLETE OPPOSIT OF EVERYTHING THAT I WAS TOLD. THIS WHOLE WEEK I HAVE DRIVEN WHERE EVER I WANTED,AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY. I AM SO GLAD I FOUND YOUR PROGRAM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR RESEARCH, TIME, AND DEDICATION SO THAT PEOPLE LIKE US CAN NOW LIVE A NORMAL AND HAPPY LIFE. JACKSON CA, AARON

==================================

…I prayed to God to show me what to do

I experienced my first panic attack in July of this year and ended up going to the hospital by ambulance thinking I was having a stroke or heart attack! I have had a bunch of attacks since then. Monday morning I awoke to an immediate attack and prayed to God to show me what to do. To make a long story short, I was led to your website but was afraid it was like the other ones where they try to sell you their products. However, your introductory information really spoke to me and I decided to take a chance. I read your book and it gave me the tools I was searching for to deal with my attacks.

I could tell immediately that you have suffered from panic attacks yourself because you spoke with authority that can only have come from having dealt with the terrors yourself. I am 42 years of age and have been noticing the psychological effects of perimenopause (one of which is panic attacks in my case). Thanks again!!

Sincerely, Cynthia

===================================

To Learn more about Panic Away visit:

www.PanicAway.com

I encourage you to take a chance with this course. As a former sufferer I would not pretend to have a solution if I did not honestly believe it could be of great benefit to you.

Together we can get you truly back to the person you were before anxiety became an issue.

P.S. Additional bonus- I am currently offering an opportunity to have a one to one session with me so that I can ensure you get the results you need. All I ask is that should you feel the course has been of tremendous benefit to you that I add you to a database I am currently updating of success stories.

If you want to learn more about this course and how to get started right away visit:

www.PanicAway.com

Talk soon

Barry McDonagh

All material provided in these emails are for informational or educational purposes only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition

Subliminal Healing the Hidden Self

2011-11-22T05:37:00.000-08:00

Down in the gutter of your mind is your subliminal conscious, which makes up your subconscious and unconscious mind. In this area of the brain are hidden secrets, which if you explore you will find answers too many questions.

The trick is learning techniques that assist you with exploring the subliminal mind. Some people do well with meditation while other people find meditation a difficult task.

Free Hypnosis

You must learn techniques that your mind and body can adapt to in order to explore the subliminal mind. If your body and mind is reluctant to certain techniques, perhaps you can guide your body and mind to join in the action.

If you find it difficult to meditate for example, perhaps you can learn some guided relaxation strategies to encourage meditation. You will need to practice so that your mind and body adapts to probing into deep thoughts.

Meditative practices are the process of guiding the mind and body to relax, yet once you are relaxed, you go into a deep meditative state of mind. Some people enjoy meditation to relax, while others will use meditation to explore the subliminal mind.

In this instance, we are going to learn meditation to practice subliminal exploring. As I said, if you find it hard to meditate you will need to practice some guided relaxation steps first. Otherwise, look at the example below and follow the procedures.

How to meditate effectively:
First, you want to find a quiet area. Make sure that all distractions are removed from your environment. Find a restful position on your bed, couch, et cetera. Once you are in a relaxed position, close your eyes.

Once you have closed your eyes, begin a visualization process. Begin visualizing your toes. Think about how you feel as you imagine your toes. Work up the length of your body and focus on each response. Start to tense the body, and relax as you inhale and exhale, breathing naturally. Monitor your chest activities as you begin the breathing processes.

Continue breathing naturally and relax. Next, move to focus. Focus on somewhere you’d like to be now. For example, if you enjoy beaches, imagine yourself at a sandy beach on a beautiful sunny day. Let the sand creep into between your bare toes. Feel the sensations of nature over your flesh.

Visualize the sunbeams dancing off your body. Feel the sensation of heat as it takes you into a warm, sunny day. Let the splashes of crisp, clear water from the ocean touch your toes and feet. Take a deep breathe and think about the coolness on your flesh.

Once you have felt nature touch your skin, continue to meditate. At first, your thoughts may roam. Let it go. Do not try to repress any thoughts, since this is the prime reason that the subliminal mind buries hidden messages that creates self.

Once you feel relaxed, think about some problem that you have been stressed over for some time. Consider the problem. Think carefully. Do not let the problem escape your mind, rather probe into why it exists. Ask questions. Use self-examination and self-talk to query self. Why do you have this problem? What caused the problem? Who caused the problem? How did the problem develop? When did the problem develop? Where did the problem develop?

Think of your questions. Slowly work through each question. Start with where the problem developed. Probe into your mind until you think you have an answer. Ponder on what you discover. Next, attempt to find answers to your next questions and continue until you think you have answers. Practice this tactic each day until you finally work through each of your problems. Consider the natural processes of healing.

How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

Stop investing in others before you get a return on yourself....

Invest in yourself ten-fold....

Fix yourself by investing in knowledge....

Get rid of the psychic vampires in your life....

To learn more Click Here

PTSD Risk Factors Identified

2011-11-22T02:40:00.000-08:00

Post-Traumatic Risk Factors Identified

Week of November 21, 2011

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers from Boston report in the November issue of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology that risk factors for posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS, short of full-blown posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD) in Afghanistan and Iraq veterans were found to be similar to those observed in Vietnam Veterans. An abstract of the study is available on the Journal of Abnormal Psychology website. Veterans who believe they are experiencing symptoms of PTSS or PTSD may call the crisis hotline number at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and then push 1 to reach a trained VA mental health professional 24/7.

For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.

A new study suggests that Omega 3 deficiency and suicide amongst soldiers might be related

2011-11-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

A new study suggests that Omega 3 deficiency and suicide amongst soldiers might be related

Over the last few weeks we have talked about the link between Omega 3 fats and various mental disorders, including just recently discussing the results of a new study showing a link between ADHD, Omega 3 fatty acids and improvements in learning outcomes.

Just landed on our desk is a report of a new study which also talks about a related matter, the possible role of low levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in suicide.

This study has been reported on the website psychiatrist.com, and notes an escalation in the number of deaths by suicide amongst the US military over recent times.

Could Omega 3 deficiency and suicide be related somehow?

The study sought to determine whether deficiencies in the Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, were associated with an increased risk of suicide amongst members of the US military.

Participants in the study were active US military personnel.

The results of study were that the risk of death by suicide amongst US military personnel was 62 percent greater amongst those with a low serum DHA status.

In fact the evidence suggested that low levels of DHA were a stronger predictor of the likelihood of suicide than factors which are expected to be more powerful, and in particular whether or not the particular individual was exposed to the death of another soldier.

Of course this does not prove that a low level of DHA contributes to the risk of suicide, or causes suicide. Clearly there are other factors at work and amongst US military personnel, particularly amongst active personnel, and these must also be taken into account. But it would suggest that DHA deficiency may well rank up there with those other factors as potential contributing factors, and may be one of the biggest.

Suicide is a problem for the military

Levels of suicide in the US military personnel are much higher than levels of suicide amongst the general population. In fact the defence Department recognizes the problem of suicide among soldiers and is actively encouraging US service personnel to seek help where they feel and they need ti, as well as attempting to identify any soldier who may be particularly at risk.

There may also be an issue for the military as far as their food preparation goes. It was generally found that service personnel have low levels of DHA, and perhaps the military could consider improving the diet of soldiers by offering some Omega 3 fortified foods, although preferably by offering soldiers Omega 3 capsules, as Omega 3 fortified foods may not be all that effective.

However there is also no doubt that further study should be undertaken to ascertain what role low levels of Omega 3 fats, and DHA in particular, may play in increasing the risk of suicide.

It’s a fascinating question, and as more evidence comes to light we shall bring it to you.

Source of the study

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How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

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Herbs That Help With Anxiety

2011-11-11T02:44:00.000-08:00

Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health disorders. Fortunately, anxiety disorder is highly treatable, and with professional help, it can often be completely overcome. Many times, successful treatment depends only upon individual or group therapy and learned relaxation techniques. In some cases, however, anti-anxiety prescription medication is also recommended. Medications can carry a risk of alarming side effects and can be highly addictive, spurring many people to seek safer, more natural alternatives.

PTSD And Fast Phobia Relief Self-help Audio Program

There are many natural herbs for anxiety, which have been proven to effectively ease many of the symptoms of with a very low risk of side effects. Just as with prescription medications, everyone reacts differently to natural medications, and it can take time to find the right combination and dosage for your body.

Passionflower - an ingredient that is often used in natural medicine, alleviates hyperactivity, anxiety, insomnia, nervous tension -- and is even sometimes used to treat Parkinson's Disease. Passion flower soothes and calms and can lower high blood pressure.
Lemon balm - a general restorative for the nervous system, can reduce blood pressure and also calm the digestive system.

Lavender - an excellent anxiety treatment and one of the best natural panic attack treatments. Lavender is a general tonic for the nervous system and a natural relaxant.
Valerian - a popular natural ingredient that can be used as a sedative and a painkiller. It is often effectively employed as a treatment for anxiety and for insomnia, as well.

Panic Away -end Anxiety And Panic Attacks

You may find that with psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation exercises or support groups, or some combination of all of them, you do not need any medication. But if you do decide to explore the option of medication, natural treatments for anxiety can provide you with safe, effective results, without the risk of side effects that prescription medications pose. Natural medications are becoming increasingly popular as awareness of them grows, and you might find that they are the right treatment for you as well.

How To Grow Herbs And Vegetables In Small Spaces - Kitchen Gardens

How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

Loving You in Healing the Hidden Self

2011-11-10T05:59:00.000-08:00

(from my forthcoming book Healing The Hidden Self)

Loving self takes you to acquire encouragement of yourself and then keep the faith in you. You must learn to trust self, rather than expect something from external sources.

There are no better processes of self-healing than you working through the healing on your own. It has been proven that people can survive better without fabricated medicines or development classes, rather people can heal their own being. You must learn to respect you, love you, and have faith that you can work through self-healing.

When you are strong then you can face any thorny challenge that comes your way. To start your life journey in self-healing begin by making your inner conscious your best friend and then move to enjoy life, rather than sweating the difficulties. Keep in mind you do not have control in all instances, so let go of what is out of your hands.

What it takes:
You must work through negative thinking. You can achieve success much faster by letting go of any negative that comes your way. Negative thoughts when developed will become your worst enemy. Never give permission for these thoughts to come between what you intend to accomplish. Most of any problems develop because negative thoughts take over and when the mind is occupied of all these stressors and burdens then it makes it next to impossible to accomplish any goal. Rather than loving others and material things, learn to love yourself.

Learn the meaning of self-realization so that you become aware of your potentials and win the game of life. Keep in mind that God helps those who reach out and helps self. If you expect others to hand you what you need on a platter, then likely you will never see the day that you become acquainted with you, until you start developing your independency.

Don’t blame others if you fail to heal the hidden self. It takes you to make it happen. In our mind, we have a window, which includes the inner consciousness. This consciousness is available to nourish the soul by allowing good thoughts to circulate in your mind, but it takes you to work with this consciousness to allow it room to help you. Your consciousness will move you to love self, feel compassion, and can help you see that there is a brighter day ahead.

Start looking for that brighter day by discovering who you are. You have several ways you can discover who you are. You have the often to practice meditation, which is a great way to work toward healing the hidden self. You also have the option to use your self-talk tools. Self-talk alone will inspire you by helping you to find answers to your problems.

Use every tool that you have within you to find your way to heal the hidden self. Other options include physical activities, such as exercise.

When the joints and muscles are tense from lack of mobility, thus these elements of your human makeup will cause enormous stress that targets the emotions. Your joints and muscles rely on oxygen and mobility to keep them strong. When the joints and muscles lack these necessities, it often causes the blood to move slowly through the body and mind. You are also weakening blood cell production.

Therefore, if you are seeking ways to work toward healing of self, thus consider meditation, self-talk and exercise. The three when you work them will work well for you. Take some time to learn the best practices and workouts to encourage healthy living. Visit the Internet today to learn more.

How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

To learn more about Healing Your Inner Self Click Here

Timothy Kendrick

Consciousness in Healing the Hidden Self

2011-11-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

The acts of self-consciousness and self-control go hand in hand. The fact is that when we are self-conscious we are better able to exhibit self-control. There are many persons out there that are not self aware or conscious of themselves and they are not in control of their emotions and actions. Being self-aware is important as it can affect or self-development and progression through life. It is crucial that we are able to be aware of all that we do and say and know that these things will affect circumstances as well. Being self-conscious is not always a bad thing as we like to think but if we relate it to being self-aware, we see the benefits.

If we are self-aware, it is less likely that we will act on impulse. It is more likely the case that we will be ready and able to assess a situation properly and show self-control in deciding how to approach the situation. The self-awareness that we possess will therefore directly affect our self-control. It is crucial that we are able to become self-aware persons in order to grab control of our emotions and actions. This can be done in many ways but these depend on the will power of the individual involved and the desire to take control of their lives.

Some of the ways to move the process to self-awareness and self-control along include the need for professional assistance. There are many programmes that offer techniques to assist in this process. These are offered by many self-development persons and are a good start if we do not have the time or will power to devote to the process on our own. We may not make the time unless we are enrolled in a class or unless we are motivated externally to do so. In these cases, the programmes can be a great starting point.

If we do have some self-control then it is good to try the other option of working on self-awareness and control on our own. There are many persons that have highlighted the great benefits of the use of meditation. This can assist the individual greatly as it leads the exploration into self and opens the awareness that is needed for better self-control. Meditation has numerous benefits to its users aside from these. It has been reputed to be of assistance in stress relief and the prevention of more serious illnesses such as heart disease and many more. The relaxing effect of meditation and the exploration into self-are able to translate to a better awareness overall and better self control.

The downside of meditation is that it can take a while to reap benefits and there are often persons that will become bored with the process and not give the method the required time to assist them. Meditation is not an overnight fix by any means and can take months and years of dedication for you to achieve all the results. The meditation process requires quiet and peace, which can often be hard for many of us to source. Not all these challenges however stop the fact that it is one of the best ways to grasp control of self and become more self-aware.

There are other factors that can assist and that can lead you down the road to better self-awareness and self-control. There is a lot of information available in self-development sites that show you the importance of self-awareness and self-control to your life. These are things that can greatly affect the quality of your life and should not be disregarded.

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Healing the Hidden Self by Examining the Mind

2011-11-07T05:25:00.000-08:00

Deep in the cavities of the mind is your subliminal channel that circles the subconscious, conscious and unconscious mind. In this region of the brain is the area where the psyche resides and holds hidden messages that when explored one can discover answers.

Using learning techniques you can extract from this area of the mind and have it assist you with discovering messages from your past that you can use to put the pieces of the puzzle together that will make you a whole person. Some of the popular techniques that can assist you with exploring the subliminal mind are meditation.

One must learn these useful techniques by practicing. Practice will push your mind and body so that it can adapt to changes that will occur during subliminal learning process. If your body and mind resists some techniques then you will need to use some strategies and perhaps other techniques to adapt to meditation.

Some people find meditation difficult. However, by learning some guided relaxation techniques, it can assist you with meditation. Practice is the key, since it will cause your mind and body to adapt to delving into deeper thoughts, or mediation.

Practices of meditation are a process of directing the mind and body to relax. Upon the point of relaxation, one can delve into a meditative state of mind.

Learning meditation by practicing will make it easier to probe into subliminal exploring. When you find it difficult to meditate, practice some guided relaxation techniques first.

How the process of meditation works:
Effective Meditation to start, one will need to find a quiet area. Remove all distractions from your setting. Get in a relaxing position, reclining on your back in a restful area. Close your eyes once you have relaxed. During the process, you want to use your visual aid tools or mental pictures and some self-talk.

Start the mediation process by visualizing your toes. Use your images and awareness so that you can focus on your toes and the reactions occurring. Continue to move up over our entire body while focusing on each sensation your body expresses. At one point, you will tense the body. Let it go and resume relaxing. Breathe in and out while you focus and relax. Let each breath come naturally. Continue to regulate your chest activities as you work through the breathing steps.

Continue to focus. Notice your thought patterns. When you notice, your thought patterns getting out of control, instead of repressing the thoughts, continue to encourage relaxation by breathing naturally while keeping your eyes closed. Let your thoughts roam. Go into a world that you would like to visit. For instance, picture you standing on a lovely mountaintop and off to the distance you can visualize natural surroundings with pure waterfalls in the backdrop. You can go anywhere you like.

Focus while you feel the sensations of nature flow over your body. Visualize until you feel at ease and then take a deep breathe, exhaling. Let nature engulf your thoughts. Once you are at a state of complete relaxation, you can start the process of subliminal learning.

You want to give your thoughts room to roam so that it can reveal hidden messages to you. One of the better ways to start meditation also is to affirm that you have the power of mind over your bodily and mental functions. Encourage positive thinking by affirming your power. Once you have affirmed power, you will find it easier to delve into the mind that has the answers you seek to make you a whole person.

How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

Stop investing in others before you get a return on yourself....

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How to Prevent Post-traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

2011-11-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

Because Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is usually a delayed responses to events over which you had no control, it is nearly impossible to reduce your risk. However, you can reduce your risk for negative psychological consequences after experiencing trauma with a variety of lifestyle and psychiatric techniques.

General Guidelines

Join a support group.
Keep in touch with family and friends.
Relocate to a safer neighborhood, if necessary.
Join an alcohol or drug treatment program.
Begin a regular exercise program.
Get involved with your community.
Seek out mental health counseling.

Join a Support Group

Many communities have support groups for survivors of trauma. Groups can provide emotional support and understanding to help you cope with your feelings. It may feel awkward to meet new people and talk about yourself, but with regular attendance most people eventually feel more trusting and open.

Keep in Touch With Family and Friends

Work at improving your relationships with your partner or spouse, family, and friends. The mutual support will aid in your healing. You will feel more “normal” as you increase your social support.

For more information on increasing your social support, click here.

Relocate to a Safer Neighborhood

After surviving a trauma, you are likely to feel that the world is a dangerous place and that your chances of being harmed are high. If you live in a high-crime area, your beliefs and fears will be even worse. If possible, move to a quieter and safer neighborhood.

Join an Alcohol or Drug Treatment Program

Many survivors of trauma use Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism or Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction to help them deal with or forget their feelings about the trauma. While this may seem to have some benefits in the short-term, it always makes things worse in the long-term. If you are using alcohol or drugs to cope with trauma, get help so that you can stop. A treatment program or group program is often the most effective way to stop using alcohol or drugs. Ask your doctor for referrals for treatment.

Begin a Regular Exercise Program

Exercise can provide a healthy outlet for your emotions, distract you from worries and disturbing memories, and help increase your self-esteem and feelings of control. Walking , jogging, swimming , weight lifting , and other forms of exercise can help reduce physical tension. Talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program.

For more information on starting a regular exercise program, click here.

Get Involved With Your Community

Get involved in a community activity such as volunteering, especially if you're not working. Whether you choose to work with youth programs, the elderly, literacy programs, or hospital services, or to take part in community sports, it's important to feel that you are making a contribution.

Seek Mental Health Counseling

When you are dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic experience, counseling can help you to understand and deal with these feelings. Dealing with these feelings may help reduce the chances that you'll develop PTSD. There are a variety of styles of counseling available. Talk with your doctor about the best one for you.

Emotional Detachment

2011-10-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

See also:

Mind & Brain

In the first meaning, it refers to an inability to connect with others on an emotional level, as well as a means of coping with anxiety by avoiding certain situations that trigger it; it is often described as "emotional numbing" or dissociation.

In the second sense, it is a type of mental assertiveness that allows people to maintain their boundaries and psychic integrity when faced with the emotional demands of another person or group of persons.

For more information about the topic Emotional detachment, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Psychological trauma — Psychological trauma is a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a traumatic event. A traumatic event involves a singular experience ... > read more

Neurosis — In modern psychology, the term neurosis, also known as psychoneurosis or neurotic disorder, is a general term that refers to any mental imbalance ... > read more

Panic attack — A panic attack is a period of intense, often temporarily disabling sense of extreme fear or psychological distress, typically of abrupt onset. Though ... > read more

Amnesia — Amnesia (or amnaesia in Commonwealth English) is a condition in which memory is disturbed. The causes of amnesia are organic or functional. Organic ... > read more

Advantages For Group Therapy to Treat PTSD

2011-10-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

Group therapy helps you build relationships with others who understand what you've been through, PTSD groups have a number of advantages, including provision of a natural support group, the ability to reach more patients, and greater cost efficiency. It can also help you feel more in control of your emotions, have fewer symptoms, and enjoy life again.

A growing percentage of PTSD patients now receive successful treatment as more is learned about the condition and multiple therapies are employed to fight its often-devastating effects on health and quality of life. Group therapy is one of those therapies, which have been found very beneficial, as the groups are usually rather small and the survivor can get to know and feel comfortable in small groups. So even therapists now are suggesting group therapy as a form of processing the trauma.

Sharing with the group also can help you build self-confidence and trust. The participants with trauma-related symptoms and depression in a group can also improved significantly on trauma-related symptoms and depression, it can also reduce symptoms by encouraging the affected person to talk about the event, to express feelings, and share their experience of the event.

One reason that treatment is often unsought by victims of the condition is that virtually any address or discussion of the offending trauma is bound to be quite painful, and stirs in the victim memories and emotions tied back to the event. This is where a group has its advantages, they do not need to sign up or fill out any forms, or feel that attending the group will be traced back to them, for employment reasons or family reasons; it all very antonymous

It is recommended that at the beginning of each PTSD group meeting that an inspirational reading or other form of centering is done for the survivors, it is best if this is something non-denominational as any sort of affiliation to groups or religions can feel like a threat to them. Then at the close of the meeting another type of closing so that all the attendees can get emotional balance prior to leaving.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is experienced by more than 10 million people in the US according to the National Institutes of Health, and that number is growing with veterans returning from war; so group meetings have a beneficial effects for the psychological distress, depression, anxiety and social adjustment for the survivors. It is also very cost effective and many are unable to hold steady, productive employment.

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PTSD Path to Heal Was Paved by God�s Plow of Knowhow

2011-10-22T02:26:00.000-07:00

PTSD Path to Heal Was Paved by God�s Plow of Knowhow

It is true, really, that God can make a way out of no way!
In this instance, a pathway was provided to heal PTSD through poetry today.

You might compare this to digging a hole under Fort Knox.
Divine guidance opened up the VA services that are like a tight box.

Lost were all efforts to connect to the Mental Health program there.
What was conveyed is that Christ�s message to heal in rhyme could not be shared.

The strategy today was formed because an unopened email led the way.
Right at the time the conference was to start it was opened with invitation conveyed.

Within a few minutes a holy lead was given that had been hidden.
A man spoke up and proclaimed a resource of Bridging Chaplains bidden.

Then the door to communication connected with Divine intervention.
Discussed by phone call was a plan to meet to view poetry�s healing connection.

The Reverend reiterated not to expect a contract of work from this.
What was conveyed was an opportunity not to miss!

An agreement was set to review what a gift given in rhyme from the Divine could do.
The tip is that not everyone who has trauma is ready to get rid of what makes them Blue.

For some the path to heal is almost completely out of sight.
Satan�s grip in fear has some souls bound up incredibly tight in fright!

What needs to be noted is that this strategy to heal PTSD worked twice for me.
This heavenly essence of healing rhyme will work only for those ready, you see.

The light that leads down this curative roadway comes in perfect timing.
We need to feel that it is safe to let go of trauma through God�s rhyming.

There is a Celestial strategy to share that allows us to be rid of depression.
Work lost will give us the time we need to reflect and heal during this Recession!

With these circumstances what is needed to add is prayer and meditation.
Then the miracle of medicinal circumvention prevails through contemplation.

None of this is possible without the key ingredient of faith inside.
Without it all our previous plans will surely collide.

What comes next is persistence provided in this heavenly soup of relief.
A thankful heart for the supper provided by Christ instills this belief.

Do you want to know more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Contact me and I will share from my own healed experience. I am also a Social Worker specializing in helping homeless Veterans get help for their own PTSD and poverty. Family, friends, and those with PTSD contact me at: http://www.RisaRuse.com. See my books on Amazon at: http://www.CreateSpace.com/3479936. Thanks!

Release PTSD Like Daniel Taken From the Mouths of Lions

2011-10-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Release PTSD Like Daniel Taken From the Mouths of Lions

Repression released from past sorrow comes to us with PTSD when we are ready only.
Until that day we suffer in anguish (like Daniel in the lions� den) ever so lonely.

We may claim our innocence from doing any wrong when trauma came along.
We can share in the King�s lamentable voice to Daniel with a likened song.

King Darius represents a duality in the miracle of salvation through persecution.
It was from his order that the terrible deed was done for animal-like execution.

What needs to be noted in Daniel 6:10, 11, 20, and 21 is the discernment done.
In worldly authority a decree was unrighteous before it had even begun.

This horrendous event was not a random proclamation.
It was planned by wicked hearts that was thwarted through Godly emancipation!

Daniel knew the new law but went inside with courage kneeling as he prayed.
He left the window open and was betrayed, but certainly not afraid!

Contemplate a parallelism making the lions� jaws representative of great fear.
Then make this revelation that faith brought the courage needed and that is clear.

Just as in Job, God used His servant to prove a point, indeed.
Even at the point of peril in life and soul we must heed.

In Job 26, 27:1-6 he asks what have you done for your brother?
It is the responsibility to share our gifts beyond our father and mother.

Job talks about counseling those without power.
This includes those who suffer from PTSD that fear has devoured.

What better healer is there than one who has suffered as man?
To experience all of mankind�s love and strife was God�s master plan.

Jesus was born in body but created in the likeness of Christ, Holy Spirit, and Father too.
Eternal Spirit equipped Him with ever empathic ability to feel- ridding all the Blues!

No better way is there to heal the brokenhearted, but with another whose heart is mended.
Recall the revelation that salvation came from persecution from what heaven intended.

The wicked were only given temporary power.
They thought they had the upper hand with negative acts to devour.

What they did not realize was that it was given to fulfill what God had planned.
In Daniel 6:27, 28 proclaimed was his deliverance and rescue through power so grand!

Through faith, endurance, and perseverance we need to walk.
There are rewards for this that will be granted to the grateful in talk!

PTSD Is Likened to a Tree Toppled Over

2011-10-20T04:16:00.000-07:00

PTSD Is Likened to a Tree Toppled Over

The beauty of life is that we all enter with a clean, sterile slate.
A baby born that dies has nothing to prevent him/her from entering Heaven�s gate.

It is through our childhood lessons that we learn to be bad or good.
Then it is Christ who knows our heart�s intentions, even when we are misunderstood.

It is after this state that the seeds we sow provide lessons, you know.
We can liken young life as a seedling that will also grow.

Life promotes circumstances (provided by what we create) from thought.
If only shown what we can physically see that is what is sought.

Just like the little tree it needs water, light, and good soil to grow upright.
Take any of these away and we will go astray paving a future that is not so bright.

You may liken what happens to us with PTSD as a tree that was broken, but lives still.
Even though it may grow huge and strong trauma strikes making our future pay the bill.

Those with a keen eye may be able to spy where the break took place.
Then all of a sudden (without warning) we crack and fall from that broken space.

At this point nothing can be done to mend what was toppled over.
Life acts out in different ways no longer having the luck of a four-leaf clover.

After all, what can be done once a tree has fallen but to cut it up and then shred?
As such we that were cut need to face what held us together from the dread.

Psychologists would call this a spilling out of repression.
What follows for most with PTSD (like me) is a deep, dark, depression.

What needs to be known in II Chronicles 6:1, 8 is that God dwells even in this darkness.
He also is aware of what is in our hearts even when we punish ourselves in harshness.

Eternal Spirit gives us a way out of our self-confinement, too.
At the point of brokenness and release of it trust replaces the Blues!

Once we allow God to take over our pain faith is what remains.
Now He gives us strength to contemplate on our gains.

Then we, like the shredded tree, can start anew again my friend.
God plants us in new fertile, faith-filled ground with a heart on the mend!

PTSD Healing Poetry Is Explained To a Poet Through Divine Rhyme

2011-10-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

PTSD Healing Poetry Is Explained To a Poet Through Divine Rhyme

The question came from one who declared himself an atheist today.
He is a poet but does not know how rhyme connects one to the Divine per say.

The answer was given that PTSD healing poetry is inspired from God only.
In this instance it converts His holy Word to bring light to darkness of the lonely.

When we are engulfed in reliving our past trauma we cannot seek the light.
The path we walk has stumbling blocks that give us daily fright.

This may explain why it is so difficult to grasp the hand held out in time of trial.
In Matthew 14:26-31 even Peter faltered in faith as Christ asked of his faith's denial.

Easier to explain than faith to the atheist is the concept of color to the blind.
Although, through others belief in Eternal Spirit explanation we can find.

Likened to this is to feel the color blue.
Contemplate on emotions that compare to each hue.

White can be understood by the warm rays of the sun.
It is clean like crisp freshly washed sheets and when new life has just begun!

Perhaps then with the gift of Divine rhyme some inspiration will come.
Knowing heaven is only acquired through selflessness and heartfelt searching for some.

What prolongs the detachment of the soul to Eternal Spirit is a cold, broken heart.
The time to feel safe varies, but is necessary for PTSD repression to depart.

There came another question from that dry-welled poet again by email.
He asked what caused this poet's trauma to make her past so frail.

As anyone suffering or treating those with fright this question is a big no, no!
Even thinking about the past events can trigger it making our mental health go.

It is helpful for us to write what we do or do not feel.
For those with a bowl full of cherries life it is not a big deal.

Hopefully, this explanation will create a more compassionate concept for mankind.
Being educated on what makes the brokenhearted tick is quite a find.

You may not know what it feels like to mentally drown.
Mental health etiquette will prevent making those that do frown.

Here is a tip to share with those that are or have been Blue.
Kindnesses, combined with fellowship are actions for all of us to pursue!

PTSD Counselors Are Effective Only if They Lead Us to the Great Counselor

2011-10-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

PTSD Counselors Are Effective Only if They Lead Us to the Great Counselor

It seems that everywhere we look there is a counseling life-coach.
Successful living, especially for those with PTSD, requires a different approach.

Alternative therapies each have a special healing hand.
Seek those connecting us to our Higher Power to break Satan's band.

The devil's dark thoughts can control anyone anytime, coach included.
His tools that manipulate are medical methodology with Christ excluded!

Sometimes he controls them through pride and ego exploded!
Raving are the praises for Mental Health providers with practices devoted.

This medicinal, exclusive club uses specific degrees to say only they can heal.
What they lack in understanding is the power of prayer and that is a big deal!

Television and radio blast their services to Veterans with PTSD, and like me.
Their competitive comparisons are completely controlled you see.

People's jobs are filled from using grant money to provide for their services of need.
Being mentally ill fills job boards and unemployment line services indeed.

Poetic justice is when these mental health providers are unemployed, too.
This is when false healing practices fall apart and now they also are Blue.

Today's physician has computers to monitor feelings and with the stroke of his pen.
He or she can pinpoint the pain and mask it, but what happens then?

Neuropsychology proclaims their efforts have made our Veterans balanced beautifully.
They program the mind to obliterate any past trauma, but it is not so truthfully.

What lies behind that laser-ridden hidden pain?
Negative emotions may be blocked, but he or she is never the same.

A question arises whether life lessons also have been banished.
It takes two or more to produce trauma even if it has vanished.

A tip to share is that the human soul needs more than a terror cover-up.
There are even signs left in the body that prevent joy from a full cup.

Those in Rochester, NY may not have witnessed the storm named Irene.
NY City had a different experience that was not so serene.

The better, holistic approach to facing treacherous life storms is through God's power.
Using His holy strategy of prayer and forgiveness allows healing blessings to shower.

The message to convey is that counseling should guide only.
The receiver of such should give honor to the true Counselor of the lonely.

These healing credits need no degrees in psychology.
A grateful heart in glory to God is where the praise should be!

How to recognize PTSD symptoms

2011-10-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a strong emotional and psychological reaction to the extremes of violence, serious injury or death. Although symptoms may come and go with varying degrees of severity, it is important to recognize that when they do strike and to seek early professional attention.

Know the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder

not Don forget that the symptoms of PTSD may not show up for a long time, sometimes years after the traumatic event. That can be activated so unpredictable, it is strongly recommended that the survivor of severe trauma to be treated even if asymptomatic.

Identify the classic PTSD symptoms: flashbacks of the traumatic event. With flashbacks, reliving the event in vivid detail the victims, and may come suddenly or gradually.

report feelings of shame, guilt or responsibility in connection with the traumatic event to his psychotherapist.

Look for breakdowns in their relationships and take note if you have little interest in things that once brought you joy. Discontent about the prospects for a happy future is also an indicator of psychological post-traumatic stress disorder is having negative effects on their quality of life.

Learn to recognize the remains of psychological trauma. If a patient is easily frightened, experiencing hallucinations (especially in relation to the traumatic event), or suffers nightmares about the trauma, it is likely that post-traumatic stress disorder is present.

Consider a person and withdrawal of emotional isolation from their loved ones as a sign that post-traumatic stress disorder may be present. Many suffer from let thoughts like "never understand" or "I do not want this burden with" do to withdraw from social situations.

Consider cognitive difficulties such as memory impairment, slowness and difficulty focus as possible symptoms of PTSD. This is especially true when these symptoms are present in combination with other signs of traumatic stress.

seek evidence of other destructive behaviors such as abuse of alcohol or illicit drug use. Also, learn to recognize the symptoms of anxiety and depression, as they often accompany PTSD.

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The above article can be found in How to recognize PTSD symptoms

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How To Cope With PTSD Issues

2011-10-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

At times we go through tragedies in our life. Some tragedies are so terrible; they are often life-threatening. As a result of experiencing a horrible event, some people develop an intense emotional condition called post traumatic stress disorder syndrome or PTSD. Post traumatic stress disorder symptoms include reliving the terrible event repeatedly. A person will tend to stay away from certain people or places, and can be very sensitive to normal situations. It may not even occur right after the event but can surface years later.

During war times, this condition was known by different names. During the civil war, it was referred to as having soldier's heart. At the time of the First World War, soldiers were thought to have combat fatigue. Gross stress reaction was the name given to World War II soldiers. Other names for this syndrome were shell shock and battle fatigue. It wasn't until the 80s that this condition received its now known identifier.

Statistically, up to eight percent of Americans will have to deal with PTSD sometime in their life. Those who have endured a rape are at least ten percent more likely to develop the illness. Close to half of the patients from mental health institutions are being treated for this problem. In children, over forty will have dealt with at least one traumatic situation. And children who have seen the death of a love one, or have suffered through any type of abuse will have a high incidence of PTSD. Those who have to deal with the symptoms are more likely to develop a smoking a habit or alcohol abuse. A personality disorder can manifest in people who have endured trauma at a young age. Children do not have the detachment and distance that adults develop and have thinner skin.

Any event that is tragic,life-threatening and emotional can effect a person through intense fear and result in post traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of this disorder have been known to cause a person to be put on disability because they can not longer function at their work. A person with this illness can develop problems interacting socially and find it hard to become intimate with a partner. Depression often has to be treated as well in those who have endured this disorder. It is important to know however that with counseling and support many with PTSD are able to lead normal lives and come to terms with the underlying traumas. Some people have deepened their spirituality because of the challenges of dealing with an adverse situation.

Learn More About Developing Coping Skills for Difficult Situations

Read about Coping with Bipolar Disorder as well as Holistic Treatments for Anxiety and other articles by a licensed social worker.

Importance of PTSD training highlighted

2011-10-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) describes a psychological and physical condition caused by very frightening or distressing events. Around 30 per cent of people who suffer such psychological trauma go on to develop the problem, NHS figures suggest.
A case recently reported by the BBC highlights how crucial it is for such people to be able to receive help from people with PTSD training. It documented the story of Hugh Forsyth, who spent 11 years serving in the army in the Royal Engineers. During his time with the forces he served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia.
After leaving the army at the age of 27, he found the transition to civilian life difficult. He remarked: "When I left the forces it was like starting again. I didn't know what to wear when I got up in the morning and I didn't know how to pay the bills or cope with the simplest of things."
"All I had known for 11 years was hard work, hard graft - in fear most of the time. My adrenalin was up for that whole period. So afterwards I was a mess. I came home and drank a lot, I was arguing and shouting at my wife and kids. Life was grim," he added.
Eventually, his marriage broke up and he ended up in hospital after taking a overdose of pain medication. But even at this stage, he was not consciously aware of how significant an impact the psychological trauma he had suffered while in the forces was having on his life.
It was only some time later when he visited a pensions officer that the problem was identified. She sent Mr Forsyth's details to the charity Combat Stress and he was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD. After this point, he received treatment from people with PTSD training, spending two-week periods three times a year in a specialist centre.
According to the former soldier, who has now remarried, the help he has received has enabled him to put his memories in perspective.
The Article is written by http://www.emdrworks.org providing Emdr Training and Ptsd Training Services.Visit http://www.emdrworks.org for more information on http://www.emdrworks.org Products & Services___________________________Copyright information This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links & this copyright statement must be included. Visit http://www.emdrworks.org for more services!

PTSD Weakens From the Power of Forgiveness

2011-10-14T14:36:00.000-07:00

PTSD Weakens From the Power of Forgiveness
Sometimes what we need to heal PTSD is right in front of us.
The cure waits in being picked up, like a passenger for a bus!
You know that it is coming in God's perfect timing through faithful prayer.
A tip to remember is that our Source will only give us what we can bear.
For example, we may be tested through combating fear and poverty.
These become emotional boulders in our mind that prohibit prosperity.
It is how we chose to or not to continue to carry our burdens and loss.
When we visualize the peace of forgiveness we show PTSD who is the boss!
This image maker of the mind becomes personified when we let go of our pride.
Having a humble heart is the spiritual strategy that quickens our healing stride.
Christ has given us a powerful tool to tear down sorrow.
It is the Lord's Prayer that reveals how to be happy today and tomorrow.
The keywords to this heavenly instruction are in the prayer's plain view.
"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," too.
Here, finally, is the answer to getting unstuck that is quite clear.
The power to be forgiven is to forgive as if we were looking in a mirror!
To continue in this heavenly paradigm love or hate is the reflection that boomerangs.
Whatever hurts we chose not to let go of is held onto inside our minds and hangs.
For some these wounds have grown very deep.
With others their sores that are not shown continue to fester and seep.
Science has now discovered in a pictogram how profound the wound is wound.
Those continued negative thoughts have manifested like black, bare trees bound.
Here is another tip on how to let go that the pictograph will also show.
In the science of the mind using repetitive positive thoughts the process is slowed.
That dead-branched forest starts to be cleaned out in just four days.
The strategy to heal is to trick the mind so negative thoughts are just a past faze!
The mind is like a garden that needs to be fed.
Feed it with kind, loving, thankful thoughts instead!
The miracle of this all is that at the point of decision to let go trauma subsides.
Application of these tools given and being thankful disallows PTSD to hide!

Do you want to know more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Contact me and I will share from my own healed experience. I am also a Social Worker specializing in helping homeless Veterans get help for their own PTSD and poverty. Family, friends, and those with PTSD contact me at: http://www.RisaRuse.com. See my books on Amazon at: http://www.CreateSpace.com/3479936. Thanks!

Baby Steps for PTSD Recovery

2011-10-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition where an individual, who has suffered a traumatic experience, continues to suffer from anxiety and fear as a result of the trauma they endured.
The first step in recovery from PTSD is recognize it and be willing to do the work it takes to recover from it. Recovery is the ability to recall the events without any other cognitive, emotional or behavioral effects.
A lot of patients have a dual diagnosis of post trauma stress disorder and substance abuse because alcohol and drugs help them to cope with what they are going through, They may not realize that their headaches, irritability and difficulty with memory is because of this disorder.
With PTSD you are treating the emotional trauma. With a single event, recovery is pretty good. Combating it is really different because you may have a Soldier who has been shot at 10 times in an hour nearly every day or they have some other type of recurring traumatic event.
The reason group therapy is working so good, is that those who've "been there" can understand the rhythm and pacing of real time recovery and can offer hope to those of us engaged in the often frustrating learning process on how to live with PTSD. Survivors need to be approached in ways that do not trigger their symptoms, and they need to be healed enough to be able to allow themselves to be approached in healthy ways and to respond in positive ways.
Many people want to talk about their trauma with others who have had similar issues and events. In group therapy, this is what can happen, you talk with people who have been through a trauma. Sharing your story can help you deal with all the parts in your life. It also helps you build relationships and to walk thru the shame, guilt, anger and rage that comes with trauma. It also helps built trust and to know you aren't alone, which leads to self-confidence and learning to live in the present rather than the past.
Traumatic events capable of causing post-traumatic stress disorder include kidnapping, natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, etc), physical and sexual abuse, combat, drug abuse, and near-death experiences. Sexual Trauma handled alone for years is very unfortunate because it means the child is adding isolation to their trauma during very critical development years. One of the problems with untreated PTSD is that it slowly expands.
Anyone with PTSD or think you may have it, find a support group in your area or even a Coach that has recovered from it to share and work with you. With a coach you can do this over the phone and not even be in the same area, just be sure and they have had your issues and have recovered from them, so they can give you definite tools to work with.
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Is There Treatment for PTSD

2011-10-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, there is treatment for PTSD, but a great first step is to get information and education about the disorder and then to attend a local PTSD support group. Therapy for this can be very expensive and so the more knowledge about it before going into therapy the better. Being educated and joining a support group can help you feel more in control of your emotions, have fewer symptoms, and enjoy life again.
One reason that treatment is often unsought by victims of the condition is that virtually addressing or any discussion of the offending trauma is bound to be quite painful, and stirs in the victim memories and emotions tied back to the event. You may need to try different types of treatment before finding the one that helps you and it is important to find the right therapist and/or therapy so that doesn't add time to your recovery.
Generally, treatment for PTSD is begun only after the survivor has been safely removed from a crisis situation. The aim of treatment is to reduce symptoms by encouraging the affected person to recall the event, to express feelings, and to gain some sense of mastery over the experience. Recovery seems to be quicker when the survivor feels safe or can get a feeling that there is a possibility that they can be safe.
It is reported that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is experienced by 10 million people in the US each year, and the good news is that a growing number of PTSD survivors are now receiving successful treatment as more is learned about the condition and multiple therapies are employed to ease its often devastating effects on health and quality of life. Usually more than one type of treatment is necessary to recover and as recovery occurs those treatments need to be adjusted so that the survivor continues to recover, not get stuck in one place.
Survivors of trauma often have difficulty believing that they will ever recover. Very often, they feel on the edge and become obsessed with trying to stay safe. They can also be afraid to address what happened to them and many times family members are frequently fearful of examining the traumatic event as well and this is sort of a double trauma for the survivor. There have been a growing number of reports of PTSD among cancer survivors and their relatives and many times this goes completely undiagnosed. The likelihood of treatment success is increased when these other conditions are appropriately diagnosed and treated as well.
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Is PTSD a ticking time-bomb?

2011-10-11T02:13:00.000-07:00

It�s an astounding fact that since 2003, more than 2.0 million American and coalition troops have served in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, with thousands deployed multiple times.
The intensity and scale of the combat experienced by the serving personnel has not experienced for decades and will inevitably lead short and long term issues for the veterans of these conflicts.
A survey conducted of nearly 2,000 soldiers who served in Afghanistan and Iraq found that nearly one in five now suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression, illnesses that could cost the billions of dollars in medical care, lost productivity and lost lives through suicide.
This equates to a potential ticking-time bomb of 400,000 suffers of PTSD, the majority in the US, but also significant numbers in the UK and other coalition countries.
The condition has often been overlooked, misdiagnosed and generally neglected by governments of all countries for many years, so whilst we would all hope that this will change over time, we also should recognise that sufferers need to be able to helpful advice, make connections with people in a similar situation and access to services to help them stay in control of the condition.
How can I tell if I have PTSD?
It�s important to recognize the condition as early as possible, so what are the indications that you or a family member may be suffering from PTSD?
First question is have you or they experienced a traumatic event of the sort described at the start of this article?
If so, do you:
� Have vivid memories, flashbacks or nightmares?
� Avoid things that remind you of the event?
� Feel emotionally numb at times?
� Have to keep very busy to cope?
� Feel depressed or exhausted?
� Feel irritable and constantly on edge, but can�t see why?
� Eat more than usual, or use more drink or drugs than usual?
� Feel out of control of your mood?
� Find it more difficult to get on with other people?
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms you may be suffering from PTSD.
What can I do about it?
First thing you should do is to go and see a doctor or other healthcare professional.
In addition, there are things you can do to take control. Try to start doing the normal things of life that have nothing to do with your past experiences of trauma. This could include finding friends, doing regular exercise, learning relaxation techniques, developing a hobby or having pets. This helps you to put normality back in your life, re-connect with yourself and those around you and slowly put the pieces back together.

The Symptoms of PTSD site has been established by ex-servicemen to offer information to suffers of PTSD and help them connect with other people affected by the condition.
Within the site you will find basic information about the condition, links to in-depth features and publications and to products and services that can help you beat the condition.

PTSD After Workplace Accidents

2011-10-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is often associated with Armed Forces members and veterans. However, anyone can develop this anxiety disorder after experiencing or witnessing an especially traumatic event, such as something that came with the threat of injury or even death. If you suffer from PTSD after a traumatic workplace accident, it may be difficult for you to return to work as normal.
Interestingly, this anxiety disorder can develop immediately after your stressful situation or not appear until several months afterwards. Additionally, it can last three months to several years. There are three main categories of symptoms that doctors look for when diagnosing your condition. These symptoms include:

Avoidance � emotional numbness, depression, loss of interest

Reliving memories � flashbacks, nightmares, re-experiencing after contact with certain objects

Emotional arousal � feeling tense or easily startled, difficulty sleeping, outbursts of anger

There are many different workplace accidents that can lead to PTSD. If you are a construction worker, you may have experienced a devastating fall from an elevated height. People in office buildings may have suffered through an in-office fire. You may have witnessed someone accidentally amputate a limb while operating heavy machinery. All of this can lead to the avoidance, intrusive memories, and hyperarousal that characterize PTSD.
Unfortunately, these symptoms can interfere with your ability to carry out your job. Even being at work can trigger flashbacks that prevent you from working. Your feelings of anxiety and depression can make it difficult to focus on your work. Thus, you may have to take time away from your job to undergo counseling and therapy to help you manage your PTSD. If a workplace accident has caused your post-traumatic stress disorder, you may require additional compensation from your employer to cover therapy and counseling sessions.
Victims of workplace accidents should be given generous compensation and possibly leave time in order to fully recover from their stressful situation. If you have been hurt while at work, please contact a knowledgeable New Jersey workplace injuries attorney from Levinson Axelrod, P.A., today.

At Levinson Axelrod, P.A., we can help you with your workers' compensation and disability cases so that you receive the financial compensation you need for your suffering. To leanr more about your legal options, contact an experienced NJ worker's compensation lawyer from Levinson Axelrod, P.A., today.

Real-life Army Members Have difficulties with PTSD

2011-10-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

Rambo is known as a term this is certainly synonymous with gung-ho action including a persona that is attached to all the identity of flick action star Sylvester Stallone. At present, "Rambo" is a word that is used to signify military or man or women aggression. It is usually used to make reference to a person that's heroic and, within the same, time able of perpetrating extreme violence.
Taken from any 1982 movie that is originally entitled Initially Blood, the film is concerning the character given its name John James Rambo, a part of the top dogs U. S. Affiliate internet marketing Green Berets. Deployed in Vietnam, he fought against the Vietcong and North Vietnamese soldiers by utilizing guerrilla tactics in addition to jungle warfare program. Based on the novel where the the screenplay was adapted from, Rambo was grabbed by North Vietnamese military in November 1971 and was put through inhuman torture as well as abuse in one of many infamous POW camps. Alongside other American criminals of war, Rambo suffered significant episodes of physical torment with the hands of his captors. He experienced just about every day beatings, water personal, electrocution, and other designs of inflicting serious pain. After six many weeks of "living hell", Rambo could escape from a POW camp. Over time of recuperation, he was ever again re-deployed to Vietnam along with was finally honorably discharged within the U. S. Military in 1974.
Rambo's get back to civilian life wasn't easy. The '70s was a moment of student activism that's characterized by the growth within the so-called peace action and "flower power. " During which usually period, the America became divided above the issue of the actual Vietnam War. Many student protests devoted to the claim that the Vietnam War had been an unjust conflict and that america was actually placing an act associated with aggression. Many defense force and veterans just like Rambo, most of which were only drafted into your war, were suffering from protest, ridicule, plus contempt. Civilian protesters observed men like Rambo seeing that warmongers and anti-peace. But during that time, now many were receptive to the depression professional by many soldiers who was mandated to fight in Vietnam. They, too, were against the war but needed fulfill their need as military servicemen. The anxiety and stress of always increasingly being under fire not knowing if that it was already their "last day" prepared soldiers in Vietnam are at odds of the war perhaps up to the civilian protesters.
Enjoy many Vietnam veterans, Rambo was cursed with Post-Traumatic Stress Dysfunction, or PTSD. The novel depicts Rambo like a person who was deeply affected by his past happenings in Vietnam. After losing his job to provide a mechanic, Rambo have become a drifter in addition to wandered from the area to town. Within the movie, Rambo had trouble after a local sheriff imprisoned him or her for possession of a jungle knife. With jail, he was again confronted with torture. The injustice he suffered underneath the hands of the captors made his elect to escape. The law enforcement officials, together with any National Guard, launched a manhunt. Nevertheless, Rambo was capable to elude and deter the armed troops who have been sent to quest him. He repeatedly used his Earth-friendly Beret skills for you to survive and deter his pursuers. Later inside the movie, Rambo attacked town center where the cruel sheriff ended up being hiding. To avoid the further escalation regarding violence, Army Colonel Trautman came up and persuaded Rambo towards surrender to them. The colonel has been Rambo's commanding specialist in Vietnam.
Such as movie and the character of Rambo, a large number of Vietnam veterans lived with PTSD. Many fell with a path to self-destruction by getting endlaved by drugs and effectuating violent acts. Others were incapable of manage the guilt, frustration, anger, and rage they experienced after completing their tours of task in Vietnam. Many veterans were diagnosed with PTSD and various psychosis.
While the movie could not show that Rambo received professional help for his battle with PTSD, in physical locales, many war veterans wanted to receive psychological or simply psychiatric treatment. These veterans were built to take antidepressant prescriptions as a way for them to manage their symptoms regarding depression, guilt, anger, and other self-destructive reactions and behavior. For a few war veterans, getting through per day with some bit of of normalcy required the usage of anti-anxiety medication. Its treatment was as well complemented by guidance, a process that will helped them vent out their fury, frustrations, and phobias.
Unlike the movie, real-life soldiers are certainly not invincible Rambos nobody can go through life without seeking professional help in dealing with the war-time encounters, emotional struggles, together with psychological burdens.
Another installment in the Rambo movie series could be shown in 2008. It remains to get seen whether the situation of PTSD is going to be made a central issue on the movie since it can be now a greatly relevant matter. Today's conflicts around Iraq and Afghanistan are producing ever more soldiers who, like Rambo, have to battle and win their particular internal battles.
PTSD Symptoms

Psychotic Depression

Suicide and PTSD: Post-War Torture

2011-10-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

Three hundred miles off the Argentina coast in the South Atlantic lay the Falkland Islands, also known to the Argentines as Islas Malvinas. It consists of two main islands, East and West Falklands which lie 300 miles east of the Argentina coast. There are about 200 smaller islands that form a total land area of approximately 4,700 square miles. The only town and capital is Port Stanley.
The English navigator John Davis may have been the first person to sight the Falklands. However, the Argentine version states that "Spanish seamen" were the first without giving further details. Some also say that Ferdinand Magellan was the first to see the islands on his voyage around the world. Another claim is based on one of Magellan's ships deserting the expedition and going back to Spain. While it is true that there was such a ship, there are no original documents to prove the actual sighting of the islands.
The government of the Falkland Islands administers the British dependent territories of South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the Shag and Clerke rocks, lying from 700 to 2,000 miles (1,100 to 3,200 km) to the east and southeast of the Falklands.
Argentina has claimed the islands since the early 19th century. Britain had occupied and administered the islands since 1833 and had consistently rejected Argentina's claims. Just like any other conflicts in our world history, claiming and ruling a certain territory initiated war between the Argentines and the British forces. Ownership of the islands has always been a hotly contested issue between the two governments. On April 2nd of 1982, the war began, with thousands of Argentine troops landing on the Falklands.
The British captured about 10,000 Argentine prisoners, all of whom were afterward released. Argentina's defeat severely discredited the military government and led to the restoration of civilian rule in that country in 1983.
After more than 20 years, a shocking revelation unfolds. Research claims that a high number of veterans have taken their own lives since the South Atlantic conflict ended, both from the Argentine and the British troops. The suicide figure was almost half of the number of soldiers who died during the conflict.
There were also allegations that the people in command of the military forces of both countries tried to ignore the issue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which leaves many sufferers emotionally scarred and unable to work. Some veterans have claimed that their condition was not diagnosed or treated while they were still serving. They added that they were never warned about the effects on their enlistment or discharge from the forces. They were also not given any presentations or debriefings to prepare them for possible effects.
PTSD, is among only a few mental disorders that are triggered by a disturbing outside event, like war. The traumatic event causes a cascade of psychological and biological changes. Wars throughout the ages often triggered what some people called "shell shock," in which returning soldiers were unable to adapt to life after war. Although each successive war brings about renewed attention on this syndrome, it wasn't until the Vietnam War that PTSD was first identified and given this name.
There seems to be a general pattern for war veterans suffering PTSD. They experience recurring nightmares and flashbacks followed by a recourse to heavy drinking or drugs then crime. A lot of war veterans ended up in prison often for violence and some of them killed themselves in their cells. While many veterans have been suffering from PTSD, others have simply been unable to cope with the reality of life outside the forces. Many have become caught up in alcoholism, drug abuse, homelessness, depression, and relationship break-up. PTSD have indeed turned these war veterans towards the path of self-destruction.
Today, mental health providers such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and other health care professionals can attempt to understand people's response to these traumatic events and help them recover from the impact of the trauma.
The Falklands Conflict was one of the few major naval campaigns to have occurred since the end of the Second World War. As such, the conflict illustrated the vulnerability of surface ships to anti-ship missiles and reaffirmed the effectiveness of aircraft in naval warfare. However, the Falklands War also illustrated the vulnerability of people, especially of the war veterans. Even if the war has ended, it has left an imprint that will forever be within their lives.
The Falklands war cost England 255 men, six ships, and more than 1.6 billion pounds. The war lasted 74 days, with 649 Argentine soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and three civilian Falklanders killed. The Falklands campaign was considered a great victory for United Kingdom. The British may have overpowered the Argentines, but both of them suffered the consequences of the atrocity of war and continuously agonizing from it.
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PTSD - What is It?

2011-10-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

PTSD is an acronym for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a dysfunctional condition resulting from on-the-spot contact with an event, or series of events which shock mind or body to the extent that the condition is engendered. The mind is principally affected, but it can affect the subject's motor system as well. In the extreme, the sufferer may experience psychotic episodes. Symptoms can moderate, disappear, intensify, or persist without diminution. PTSD, in general, is difficult to treat successfully.
Triggering events may be such things as: witness to a series of brutal events that fly in the face of moral or ethical beliefs; exposure to wartime combat -- especially repetitive events; being present at or surviving a disaster such as the 9/11 Twin Towers collapse; an accident in which you lose a limb or suffer disfigurement; rape; and torture.
Upbringing and family stability play an important part; one person witnessing a triggering event might ultimately fall victim to a full-blown case of PTSD, while the next will walk away unfazed. (Should the exposure be repetitive or prolonged, such as unrelenting military duty in an intense combat zone, even the resistant person may succumb.) A considerable period of time often passes before the affected person realizes he is in distress; he, or she, may attempt to rid themselves of their problems by the use of alcohol or drugs. Supervised drug therapy is often prescribed once the subject has sought medical care.
Denial is common. Many cases of PTSD go untreated, the affected person -- progressing, out of shame, into alcoholism and/or drug addiction -- seeking to disguise or self-treat the symptoms. Suicide may take on the appearance of an increasingly attractive solution.
The symptoms of PTSD are quite pronounced; anyone experiencing them should be aware they are dealing with something most unusual and seek professional help.
Symptoms being: "Night terrors" -- horrifying dreams that waken you in a profuse sweat; a desire for isolation; anti-social behavior, amounting to an extreme distrust of people who would normally qualify as friends; an overwhelming desire to change jobs -- no job proving satisfying; extreme irritability; and "flashbacks," vague or full-blown waking dreams -- replays of the event that originally shocked you, or snippets of some action related to it -- these replays interjecting themselves into the middle of your daily work routine or activities. Involuntary physical reaction (sometimes accompanied by a flashback) is often triggered by the sight, sound, smell, or touch of anything relating to the triggering event.
If the symptoms are easily cast off, it is difficult for the sufferer to believe anything is amiss -- especially if daily life is unaffected. Should suspicion persist that something deep within is "out of kilter," you may be toying with self-denial. A visit to a psychologist may prove helpful.
In 3ACES, Abner Weaver knows very well what his problem is; he's strong and stubborn enough to think he can handle it. Self-treatment has consisted of isolating himself on the American road for seventeen years in the cab of a long haul truck, where Weaver avoids coping with much of the everyday world. Control evaporates when he allows a distraught female hitchhiker into his cab -- temporarily, he thinks. Weaver's problem is close to extreme -- the result of 18 border recon missions during the Vietnamese war. Any degree of PTSD may represent a nasty problem.
Richard Ide is a writer of realistic, action-adventure and romantic-suspense fiction. On May 26th, 2008, Button Top Books released 3 ACES, his first published work. Now available on Amazon.com or by special order (ISBN: 978-0-615-15821-1) in bookstores. For more information on Richard and 3 Aces, visit: 3 Aces.

Symptoms of Ptsd and How to Identify Traumatic Reactions

2011-10-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly refered to as PTSD, is caused by experience a traumatic event or series of events. A diagnosis of PSTD is often given when one fits into several criteria. If the person has intrusive memories, signs of avoidance, withdrawal from other and physical symptoms they may be suffering from a trauma. Treatment for PTSD is available, recovery is possible.
Intrusive memories of a distrubing situation are a major symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can include flashblacks in which one feels as though the act is happening again. The person may also be plagued with nightmares that disturb sleep. People with PTSD often have physical reactions during these episodes. The effects of the stress on the body cause fast heart beating, excessive sweating, and fast breathing.
Another sign of PTSD is avoidance and a detached attitude. A sufferer is not likely to talk about the event or even remember major parts of it. One may loose his or her desire for activities he or she once enjoyed. This happens because the sufferer can feel guilty or ashamed. They are often depressed. Some even turn to alcohol or drugs. They do not have a desire to live a long and health life.
One more sympton of PTSD is reacting quickly to things. This can cause moodiness. They often have sudden anger outbursts that are out of character. They typically cannot fall asleep easily, and they do not stay alseep well either. They are often on edged and easily startled. Family members and close friend of people with the disorder often say that the person is not the same.
Physical signs of PTSD are common as well. Headaches are a major physical ailment along with chest pains. There are also dangers with high blood pressure and vascular problems.
There are many treatments available for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These range from medications to specialized therapies. The type of treatment one needs depends on their specific case. There is not quick cure, and every day is a battle for people battling with the disorder. Relaxation and exercise plus therapy can be an important combination.

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Acupuncture Treatment For Ptsd Patients

2011-10-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not new in the medical society; in fact it has gone through many name changes for the past 140 years before settling down with its current moniker.

PTSD dates back to the time of the American civil war. Such condition was then called Da Costa's syndrome among US war veterans. Fifty years passed and the British troops called the mental manifestations of life-threatening experiences of soldiers in the battlefield as "shell shock".

Through the years, from one battle to another, the disorder also morphed from one name to the next, from "battle fatigue" to "operational exhaustion" and to its current name, which is PTSD. By mid-20th century, the ancient Chinese healing form acupuncture was considered as a possible alternative therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder as the condition now expands to traumatic experiences not only limited within the war zone but also in other tragic situations such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, violent personal attacks, and vehicular accidents.

The University of New Mexico worked on a two-year study wherein researchers were tasked to dig deeper into the possibilities of applying acupuncture to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

The National Institutes of Health shelled out $250,000 to fund the study with hopes that if acupuncture can be proven effective in treating PTSD, it will pave way for the successful integration of eastern medical principles with western approaches toward treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

The study aims to attain three goals, first of which is to determine if acupuncture can be an effective alternative therapy for patients with PTSD, next is to see how effective is acupuncture against conventional treatments, and lastly, to help determine the diagnostic patterns for PTSD patients.

The post-traumatic stress disorder study program allocated 12 weeks for patients to undergo a treatment program. The patients were grouped in three, with one group acting as a waiting list and will not be treated with acupuncture during the entire duration of the study, the second group will receive conventional treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy, and the third group will be receiving acupuncture treatments throughout the allotted 12-week treatment period.

The group receiving acupuncture treatments will have two sessions per week during the treatment program. Each session will last for an hour, which will consist of 15 needle insertions and manipulation. Acupuncture seeds will also be placed on the acupuncture points in the outer ear.

As of this writing, 17 patients have already completed the treatment program and with 29 others still undergoing observations at various stages of the treatment period. However, based on preliminary observations on the patients who have already completed their treatment session, the acupuncture treatments seem to be working favorably with the patients feeling lesser pain compared to those who are receiving conventional therapies and those who have received no treatments at all.

After the completion of the study, another study program is being developed on the pipeline and this time on how to successfully integrate acupuncture with other behavioral therapy for the sole purpose of treating patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Post Traumatic Tension Disorder (PTSD)

2011-10-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

The globe these days has experienced lots of disasters, wars, famine along with other calamities that left it distraught and plunge on to a journey of research on how you can cope using the after-effects of these occurrences. Not merely is then the world affected but several individuals are also been challenged, physically, emotionally and mentally. Leaving persons traumatized by loss of their homes, loved ones or even their lives. When one has gone by way of an extremely bad experience, like witnessing a heinous crime, death of a loved one, survivor of a war or any natural disaster, and after that experience troubled by it, creating it tough for him or her to get back to the mundane of life, that person could be suffering from Post Traumatic Tension Disorder or PTSD.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or commonly referred to as PTSD, is an emotional illness that ordinarily begins to grow right after a very traumatic encounter. Normally, this knowledge is life-threatening, terribly frightening or an extremely unsafe incident in once life. A person suffering from PTSD might have unpleasant dreams on the onset of that poor experience. Following a when, he will keep having this dreams, extreme paranoia, he feels fearful of himself, gets a feeling of numbness in an increasing quantity. Other people say that PTSD can be a standard reaction of the body, specially the thoughts, to unwanted horrible experiences. A repetitive replay of an encounter within the brain may cause somebody to really feel disconnected, frightened, at times usually do not sound logical of what's happening or violent and agitated to the people around the person suffering from this illness. Symptoms may perhaps be observed 3 months following the incident, but in other cases, it could take years for the symptoms to appear. The indicators continue to develop within the passing of time depending on the particular person involved.
Medication can be prescribed to men and women suffering from PTSD. In some cases, it truly is far better consult professional support. Also, educating individuals around or who reside with the patient, about tips on how to deal with the patient if a few of the symptoms occur which happens from time to time. Speak therapy, according to the website Medline Plus, an on the net well being information and facts website powered by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Wellness, as one of the treatments utilised for individuals suffering with this illness. A trusted friend, confidante, a colleague who is supportive can assist the patient.
Right now, quite a bit of individuals are coming to be aware of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Articles I read are saying that the US Army is putting very much effort on research for therapy. Most of the soldiers who have returned and been traumatized by the war. It seems that the army is facing additional of these cases as time goes by. Most of these war-torn soldiers continue to look tough but deep inside they are suffering from PTSD. The goal for their recovery is that they find out to accept what had happened and understand that it was not their fault, learning not to blame themselves and live with it and leave it all in the past. It may appear tricky for them, but by way of unconditional support and enjoy of loved ones and friends will support them get through, and live an usual and happy life.
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Coping With PTSD

2011-10-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder that can affect every aspect of your life. It can ruin your relationships, take away your sense of well being, and make you think that you are generally losing your marbles. I know because this is what happened to me. How does one cope with this disorder in a manner that brings then back to sanity and restores balance back into their lives?
PTSD has common or typical symptoms that can be identified and addressed. Memory deficits, anxiety, depression, and a high startle response are just a few examples. People who suffer from PTSD are hyper vigilant, become triggered easily, suffer from panic attacks, and tend to fall into dissociation easily. Some suffer nightmares and can�t sleep for more than a few hours at a time. This is mentally exhausting. The symptoms of PTSD are mentally exhausting for everyone involved and often take a very negative toll on relationships.
When you have PTSD, it is important to identify how you experience these symptoms and tackle them one by one. What is your interpretation of what is happening to you? For example, it is one thing to say that you are suffering from nightmares, but how does this affect you personally? When you awaken from a nightmare how do you deal with it? What can you do to get yourself back to sleep? If you can not go back to sleep, what productive or positive thing can you do to make yourself feel better? How does the lack of sleep affect your stress level? How is this affecting your life and those around you?
This is a very personal disorder in that what works for one person may not work for another. One strategy might not be as helpful to you as it is to another person. This is why it is important to evaluate what is happening to you, evaluate your responses, and develop what works for you. The bottom line is that you have to design your own strategies and skills in order to deal with this disorder. Coping with PTSD means that we adapt to a new life that is tailor made for us.
Coping with PTSD means that we learn new skills, even if we have to invent them for ourselves. The events that led to this disorder have changed our lives forever and the only way to alleviate symptoms is to take a personal approach in order to learn what is helpful to us. Yes, there are common strategies just as there are common symptoms, but you can not take a one size fits all approach to this disorder. Coping means that we learn to adapt, to minimize, and to eventually overcome that which negatively impacts our lives and those around us.

Erin Harrington, BHSM,MSP. I have worked in the field of mental health for many years. In addition to being a sufferer of PTSD, I specialize in helping those who also have this disorder as well as the people that love them. Want to know how to manage and minimize the symptoms of PTSD and regain control of your life once again? Are you looking to help someone that you love through Post Traumatic Stress and have the best possible relationship with them? Visit my website below to read a free sample.
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Support Groups for PTSD Survivors Can Help - Wellness Coach

2011-10-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

Trauma of any kind has a long lasting effect on individuals and it is important that PTSD (Post Trauma Stress Disorder) survivors know that there is help and to be ok with asking for help. Shame plays a large role in PTSD and many victims feel that they are weak because they can't get a handle on their lives. Then they develop survival behaviors, which in fact, do not serve them at all and a vicious circle begins.
When PTSD survivor problems and feelings are not recognized and honored as real and they are not heard, understood, acknowledged for these feelings it creates them to stay stuck in the pain and dysfunction of their trauma. Then the denial sets in and other forms of trauma sets in from people and other areas, because the needs are not meet by the victims. Many times this can lead to acting out in socially not acceptable behaviors and various kinds of addictions, which can further traumatize the PTSD survivor.
Finding recovery and support groups can be very daunting as the shame and not wanting people to know there is something wrong with them is over whelming for them. Many feel that if they keep the secret and just keep trying to look normal, no one will know and maybe, just maybe it will get better. This just creates a larger and darker circle around them and they tend to think that there is no way out
Recovery in PTSD can tend to be slow and it is referred to as taking small baby steps and accepting when there are setbacks and just slowly moves forward again. This is where support groups and coaching comes into play and are very useful for recovery. PTSD survivors need to be heard and be able to talk about their feelings without and judgment or comparisons and to feel that they have a voice in what their pain is.
Many times change is a huge challenge, as the trauma can almost feel like their friend, as it is the only feeling they can feel, and if that goes away, they wouldn't have anything. This is called emotional numbness and it is very elusive and confusing, and just little steps in testing this out is what can work for them to see it is ok to let the trauma go.
Support groups are great because all the members can share their coping skills and new ideas and methods can be shared, learnt and developed. Many times PTSD survivors have an aversion to therapists as they represent authority figures, which either they have a fear of or no confidence in, as no one was there to protect them. In the support groups they are all survivors and can identify with each other.
In the groups each individual is encouraged to explain and share their own unique experience and trauma and to respect the other members stories and to look for the similarities not the differences and to find what the each have in common and to share in their growth together.
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Blood Pressure Medication Being Studied to Treat PTSD

2011-10-01T00:19:00.000-07:00

A Canadian researcher once lauded by Forbes as one of "Ten People Who Could Change the World" is pioneering experiments using a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication to dull the painful memories of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Karim Nader of Montreal's McGill University is attempting to reduce the emotional response generated by painful memories using the beta blocker propranolol. Propranolol (propranolol hydrochloride) has been on the market for over 40 years, marketed as Inderal or Inderal LA.
Nader and his team are not attempting to eradicate painful memories, but instead to lessen their emotional impact. Years ago, Nader discovered that memory can be altered just by the very act of remembering - a process he dubbed "memory reconsolidation". He developed a technique he called "reconsolidation blockade" in which memories and the associated negative emotions are altered during the reconsolidation phase to lessen their unpleasant impact, reducing a traumatic memory to just a bad memory.
Propranolol's role in the reconsolidation blockade process is to target hormones such as adrenaline that are released during or while reliving a traumatic event. "These hormones can actually boost how intensely memories are stored," Nader explains, "So if you can block these hormones you block the boosting, but you're keeping the information intact." The blood pressure medication is usually given to patients with angina or high blood pressure because of its ability to block adrenaline. Propranolol medication is such an effective adrenaline blocker it can even help counter adrenaline effects such as stage fright and trembling - a quality that led to a ban on its use by Olympic athletes.
Nader teamed up with Dr. Roger Pitman from the Harvard Medical School in Boston to test the effects of the blood pressure medicine in a group of patients who had suffered from PTSD for over ten years. They divided the study participants into two groups, and had them relive a painful memory, measuring their physiological response. The researchers gave one group propranolol while they relived the traumatic event, and the other group a placebo. When they asked both groups to recall the traumatic memories again a week later, the group given the beta blockers drugs experienced a reduced physiological and emotional response to the memories. "We found that we can bring the strength of the memory down to non-PTSD levels," reports Nader, "Which really is just crazy for someone who has had PTSD for 30 years."
PTSD is an anxiety disorder arising out of a terrifying and or life threatening event such as war, sexual assault or a natural disaster. PTSD sufferers are tormented by persistent disturbing thoughts and memories of their ordeal. Other symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, a high startle response, shame and guilt, sleep and eating disturbances, difficulty concentrating, emotional numbness, avoidance of situations reminiscent of the traumatic event, depression and anger. PTSD is usually treated with a combination of antidepressant medication and therapy.
Lynn feels strongly that everyone should have access to affordable medicine, and advises consumers they can save on generic Inderal and other
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PTSD: What it is and how to beat it

2011-09-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Issues to consider:
- Chemical Imbalances
- Past Emotional Issues
- Ineffective Strategies and Neurolinguistic Patterns
Alternative Services Available:
-Neurolinguistic programming Therapy
-Timeline Therapy�
-Individual/Family Therapy
-Hypnotherapy
-Non-Medication Treatment Alternatives
PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other related symptoms typical feel like you are re-experiencing a traumatic event. Fear, flashbacks, physiological responses, are all common symptoms.
"I find that my clients who suffered from PTSD have developed an in effective strategy or neurological pattern, once this pattern was interrupted or removed the PTSD behavior went away and they were able to return to a normal life again." stated Jeff Papadelis Founder of posttraumaticdisorder.net, an online PTSD Therapy Company. All our outward and inward behavior is a result of these neurological processing patterns. If a specific pattern occurs, then a specific behavior is generated. If the neurological pattern does not occur, then the behavior does not occur. A PTSD Pattern is usually developed as a protection method in response to a real or perceived life threatening situation. This pattern can be recalled by the brain at any time by any number of triggers. This is how people continue to suffer from flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, social fears and more. Doctors, therapist and researchers have been studying new innovative techniques using non-medicated treatment alternatives. Leading the way are NLP and Timeline Therapy�, two technologies that were designed to allow people to very quickly change their neurological patterns and release negative emotions from past events. Therapist trained in these techniques can elicit a persons neurological pattern by listening to their predicates, watching their eye patterns, and making notes of the order and sequence of the modalities as they are presented. After the elicitation, the therapist will introduce specific NLP & Time Line Therapy� techniques that will interrupt the neurological pattern which frees the client from their past behavior of PTSD. The results are immediate and considered permanent.
For more information on how NLP and Timeline Therapy� are working together to stop PTSD, visit http://www.posttraumaticdisorder.net.

For the last decade Jeff Papadelis, founder of Jeff Papadelis Companies LLC has dedicated his life to researching, developing and delivering breakthrough processes that enable people to not only address the symptoms of their problem but to eliminate it for good. He is an international speaker, trainer and master practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, Time Line Therapy(TM) & Hypnosis. His products help people world wide to improve the quality of their lives.

My boyfriend, who has PTSD, ignores me.

2011-09-29T05:10:00.000-07:00

I was speaking with a woman the other day that was so upset because her boyfriend, who has PTSD ignores her. After some probing, I came to realize that he is likely �spacing out� or dissociating. This can affect a relationship in that as one partner is tuning out and the other is tuning in. A perfectly normal reaction, but it makes things very uncomfortable in a PTSD relationship.
Dissociation is a huge symptom of posttraumatic stress and it�s very difficult to control. There are some solid physiological reasons for dissociation, but it�s how one partner deal with this symptom that makes a difference in a relationship. The bottom line is that people who have PTSD zone out so completely at times that they are hardly aware of what is going on around them. So, how do you deal with your partner spacing out most of the time? How do you deal with the feeling of being ignored? Education and communication are the keys to this.
When someone who has PTSD is dissociating, it is because his or her nervous system is overwhelmed. Since this is a stress disorder, it takes very little to become overwhelmed. When you notice that this is happening, you need to realize something very important. Your partner is not going to remember what you have said or done at this time. It is not realistic to expect someone who is experiencing severe dissociation to recall conversations or events that occurred while they were in that mental state. Their memory is not going to hold new information at that time.
In reality, he is indeed ignoring you. Of course he is ignoring you if he�s staring off into space and not answering your questions or talking with you. This can be very hurtful until you realize that PTSD produces severe dissociation. This is a symptom, and it�s a big problem for both parties. You have every right to be upset, but you also should to realize that it�s a biological reaction to stress that is very common among those with this disorder.
Now that you know this, you can plan more effectively. When someone is dissociating, don�t discuss things that require decision-making or recalling at a later date, like issues with the house or money issues. You will only become upset and frustrated later when you have to repeat yourself because he doesn�t remember. This is just going to cause a huge fight and make everyone feel bad. Save the things that you expect him to remember for a time when you know that you have his attention. You could also write important things, like house hold list or upcoming money issues down for him to read and think about at a later time. There is nothing wrong with writing a note to him telling him about all of the things that you were going to say. He will still get the message and come back with the appropriate response when he is able to communicate better. Dealing with a boyfriend or a girlfriend who has PTSD can be challenging and confusing at times. Sometimes you have to use a lot of critical thinking, common sense, and flexibility. At times, it is hard to know what will be the most helpful and what will set the person off. Ultimately, education is the key to dealing with PTSD. Once you know what to expect, it is not too difficult to personalize a solid plan that is specific to the person that you love.
Erin Harrington. I hold a BHSM and a MS/P. I have worked in the field of mental health for many years. In addition to being a sufferer of PTSD, I specialize in helping those who also have this disorder as well as the people that love them. Want to know how to manage and minimize the symptoms of PTSD and regain control of your life once again? Are you looking to help someone that you love through Post Traumatic Stress and have the best possible relationship with them? Visit my website below to find out how to bring the joy back into your life.
http://www.eclecticerin.com
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RPRZCK

PTSD Treatment for Combat Veterans

2011-09-28T00:25:00.000-07:00

PTSD is a major problem for veterans today and is going to become a bigger problem over time. That's not speculation it's a fact, based on the enormous number of troops that have been in combat in recent years.
In fact, more than 2.0 million American and coalition troops have served in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, with thousands deployed multiple times. Recent surveys found that 20% of soldiers who served in Afghanistan now suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression.
However, alarming these figures may be, it's comforting to know that diagnosis for PTSD is getting better and numerous treatments are available. So what treatments are available for suffers of PTSD?
Medication;
One of the most common symptoms of PTSD is difficulty sleeping, which can be a major problem and have a disruptive effect on one's ability to concentrate and focus. A drug called Prazosin is often prescribed for nightmares and has been used for a long time in the treament of hypertension.
Anxiety and depression is another common issue and many drugs are available to treat this symptom. The one thing to consider with any medication is that side-effects are often associated with their use and dependency can also become an issue. Working closely with your doctor should help you find the right medications and manage any side-effects that are experienced. Ideally, medication will help out in the short-term and provide a route into more sustainable and natural treatments.
Psychotherapy;
A number of forms of therapy are available for suffers of PTSD, and whilst in the past many people have been reticent to consider 'seeing a shrink', therapy is one of the most effective ways to tackle the condition.
It's possible to enter into a one-on-one or a group therapy programme. Group therapy has benefited many people facing challenging mental or physical situations and the power of connecting with people who have been through similar experiences should not be underestimated.
Some types of therapy used in PTSD treatment include:
Cognitive therapy. Talking about self-destructive thoughts and what causes this can help you develop strategies to change these notions.
Exposure therapy. This is a behavioral therapy technique to help you face up to the things that you find upsetting so you can learn to deal with it.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). This may seem like an unusual approach, but combining Exposure Therapy with a programme of guided eye movements can help sufferers deal with traumatic memories. This is because there is a strong connection between eye movement and the function of the memory.
A combination of these approaches will likely be the best route, and working with your healthcare professional should allow you to find the best approach for you. Just remember that there's no need to deal with the symptoms of PTSD on your own and effective treatment can have a massive difference on the quality of your life.

The Symptoms of PTSD site has been established by ex-servicemen to offer information to suffers of PTSD and help them connect with other people affected by the condition.
Within the site you will find basic information about the condition, links to in-depth features and publications and to products and services that can help you beat the condition.

Restrained by PTSD? Try Paxil for effective management of PTSD related disorders

2011-09-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Certain unusual events trigger post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Paxil (Paroxetine) helps in effectively controlling them.
Shirley Lourdes loved driving on weekends. She would go out on long drives at the crack of dawn, along Highway 1. Taking in the early morning sea breeze and just gliding on the road gave her a sense of calm and peace like nothing else in life. That morning was another such beautiful morning. She moved out of her driveway at dawn and was cruising along, watching the sun make its first inroads into the world. She went over the week�s project reports in her mind and made mental notes.
Suddenly she could feel something amiss. The tyres were losing their traction on the road. The traffic was sparse but there was a sedan moving beside her. A huge container truck was parked on the side curb and that is when she noticed that it had spilled some industrial sludge. She realized that her lost grip was due to the tyres soaked in the sludge and she tried to slow down her speed. She was now in between the tanker and the sedan and that was when she first saw Sarah. The 3yr old was playing with her teddy, blissfully unaware of the tragedy that was about to strike. Her parents were in the front seats.
Just then Shirley saw a huge SUV bearing down on them at high speed. She tried to somehow warn them but Sarah�s father was more intent on pulling the sedan over by the road and didn�t notice the SUV coming up. The last thing she saw was little Sarah showing her the teddy and giving her, a cute little smile. And Bang!! There was sickening crash of metal and the puff of her car air bags cushioning her body from the impact. Sarah and the SUV driver lost their lives. Shirley was physically unscathed, but the psychological impact was massive. Shirley would just collapse, crying and blaming herself in some way for the crash. She would wake up at nights drenched in sweat and utterly terrified. She had not sat behind the steering wheel since the crash and it was a huge ordeal in getting to her therapist. Her social life was in tatters and she had become a complete recluse.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the aftermath of disturbing events that occur in the patient�s life. An accident, a traumatic event, an untimely death, anything can trigger PTSD. The human psyche has an inbuilt mechanism for self-preservation. Normal human beings analyze a significant situation and accordingly decide on the course of action to be taken. It is quite natural for human beings to be frightened. In PTSD, this mechanism goes overboard and the patient is unable to manage the quantum of reaction, even in seemingly normal situations. Apart from therapy, the use of antidepressants, like Paxil 10mg (Paroxetine) are normally suggested in treating PTSD. Even FDA approves the use of Paroxetine in tackling PTSD, yet users should restrain in directly using Generic Paxil on their own. Although users can buy Paxil 20mg at the regular drugstores or can buy Paxil online from various online pharmacies, it is advisable to take up the use of Paxil 20mg or any antidepressant for that matter, only after a proper psychiatric evaluation.
Order Paroxetine Online
Users should ensure that they buy Paxil (Paroxetine) only after discussing with their doctors. Users should discuss all potential Paxil (Paroxetine) benefits and evaluate them against the risks, before they order Paxil online or from normal drugstores.
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New online computer therapy for PTSD

2011-09-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

I was almost retired when I read that 300,000+ (now projected at 500,000+) troops had come home from Iraq (and now Afghanistan too) with PTSD and had great difficulty in accessing appropriate mental health care for a number of reasons. I researched the subject and learned that certain eye movement therapies, offered by traditional therapists in private offices or clinics, were found to be effective in treating PTSD and had been used successfully for emotional trauma worldwide for the last 20 years.
I wanted to combine an accepted PTSD therapy with technology and provide greater access, lower cost, and confidentiality to veterans suffering from PTSD and PTSD-like symptoms. I soon found that other non-veterans like victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse and other severe emotional traumas suffered from PTSD and PTSD-like symptoms as well.
With the help of two nationally known PTSD psychiatrists, I developed a self-directed eye movement program for treating emotional trauma that could be used online on a home computer without a therapist.
It�s hard to talk to someone you don�t know about something traumatic that is terribly personal and at times, overwhelming in its violence, horror and loss. My feeling was that the process would work better if people weren�t required to �bare their souls� and discuss incredibly painful memories with a stranger.
We called the new program Eye Movement Memory Processing or EMMP. We felt that the program had such great potential, that we applied for a federal patent which is now pending.
The program can be used on a home computer, is confidential, requires no personal information, and was tested by over two thousand users over the past two years. The program works quickly compared to other forms of therapy and has no side effects that are often found in drug therapy. Our follow up research after one year shows relief is lasting.
My goal of providing this kind of help for veterans is now a reality and the numbers of veterans and victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse that we reach grow daily. We will continue the effort for years to come. And I also get a bonus that I couldn�t even anticipate three years ago when we started�the emails I receive from people who have found real comfort and life-changing relief from using the program. I never thought I would be able to affect so many lives in such a meaningful way. It has added a dimension to my life I never imagined.
Jeff Eastman
President, ClaytonStress.com
Website: ClaytonStress.com
©2011 ClaytonStress.com, Inc. All Right Reserved United States Patent Pending EMMP�

Jeff Eastman is founder of ClaytonStress.com, an online provider of computer therapy for traumatic stress including PTSD.

Men's Health - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

2011-09-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an illness that is getting more attention these days. With more soldiers returning home and suffering from this illness, it is becoming increasingly important to understand this disorder and how it affects those suffering from it.
What is PTSD
PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder. People with PTSD have been exposed to a traumatic event where they felt extreme danger and they experienced fear, helplessness or horror. As a result of the traumatic event, the person reexperiences the trauma through flashbacks, dreams, feeling like they are reliving the experience (hallucinations, delusions, including not recognizing surroundings upon waking) or having similar feelings to the event when exposed to similar cues (i.e., feeling extreme fear when hearing fireworks, etc). Someone who has PTSD may avoid conversations or thoughts related to the traumatic event or they have problems remembering the details of what happened. They may be reluctant to engage in activities or with people who remind them of the event. They may appear disinterested in being with others or doing things they used to enjoy. They may not think about or believe in a positive or hopeful future. They may seem disconnected and distant.
PTSD is a disorder that is pervasive and causes significant problems for the person who is suffering from it. It is also difficult for family and loved ones. Family may want to get together for a BBQ and not understand why their son or daughter doesn't want to hang out with them and instead sits in his or her room alone, watching television without any expression. Children may have problems understanding why a formerly loving and demonstrative father returns from active duty and fails to respond with laughter or smiles at their silly jokes.
Treatment
Treatment for PTSD is a complicated process. Traditionally, treatment included medication and talk therapy. One very effective treatment currently employed by the military is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). This treatment involves eye movement and thought processing and has been widely used for PTSD since the early 1990s. Compared to traditional talk therapy, treatment is significantly shorter in duration.
PTSD is a strong anxiety response to a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD are pervasive and encompass the sufferer's ability to engage with family and loved ones and move on with their life. Understanding and patience from family and friends is very important to successful healing for soldiers returning home and adjusting to life at home.
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Autism Articles - Autism Help For Mothers With Autistic Children Likely to Develop PTSD

2011-09-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Autism Articles
Whether we admit it or not, there is often initially a sense of resentment when our child is diagnosed as autistic. For parents who undergo readily accepted this truth it is a desired thing, but not most every parent in the sector is so ready to accept that fact. This is the reason why, according to Jean Genet, there are chances that parents
may increment Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Autism Articles
Further, women are a multitude of likely to boost this disorder. What Exactly Is PTSD? PTSD is a stress-related disorder wherein the body experiences extreme body fatigue that can lead to irritability, inability to adapt to surroundings, and in the worst cases depression. The symptoms take several months before they manifest, so it's difficult to distinguish at first if a person is experiencing this condition or not.
As previously mentioned, mothers are more susceptible to developing PTSD compared to fathers. It is still really not scientifically explained why moms are more likely to develop the disorder, but it may be because of the mother's role in the development of the baby. Because it is the mother who typically provides the bulk of the nurturing of the child until the offspring is born, there is a well-established connection between the two of them. The lack of ability to accept an autism diagnosis can lead to frustration and later develop into more serious reactions like anger -- which itself may lead to physical abuse of both others and themselves as well.
PTSD Should Not Be Taken Lightly If this continues the child becomes a stressor, which leads the mother to more serious side effects like helplessness, guilt, despair, and in worst cases suicidal thoughts. This is one of the main reasons PTSD should never be taken lightly. If it is not addressed properly, it can lead to more serious ramifications until it ends in death. Autism Articles
But how do we know if someone suffers from PTSD? Here are a few telltale signs:
* Insomnia
* Poor Concentration
* Poor Memory
* Anger
* Blackouts
* Aggressive Behavior
* Suicidal Thoughts (Worst Cases) Autism Articles
The good news is that this condition can be addressed non-invasively. According to Genet, mothers with PTSD are, in principle, actually experiencing the same thing with their autistic children because PTSD also disrupts the brain's switches. Don't let your child suffer anymore! Lead your child out of his world through Autism Articles program now!
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PTSD � A Debilitating Mental Condition

2011-09-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) is a debilitating mental condition. PTSD sufferers may feel like they can never return to their normal self because of an inability to move past the distressing incident that triggered the trauma. Traumatized people whether affected by PTSD or not, have a higher tendency towards using alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and towards developing Eating Disorders, OCD, and Dissociative Disorders.
In earlier times, beginning with the Civil War, PTSD was known as �Da Costa�s syndrome.� The anxiety disorder has also been known by alternate terms such as �battle fatigue� or �shell shock� owing to its link with military service. Now, it is understood that PTSD is not just a wartime disorder but can develop in anyone who has experienced or witnessed a very traumatic event. Events of this nature include kidnapping, rape or sexual abuse, plane/car crash, medical procedures, or neglect in childhood.
C-PTSD (Complex post-traumatic disorder) arises from continued exposure to a traumatic happening or sequence of traumatic events. In this case, the patient experiences long-lasting issues in social and emotional functioning.
Symptoms of PTSD
Provided below are some of the symptoms of PTSD that help in diagnosing the disorder. From the symptoms, it is easy to understand how much the disorder can affect a person�s health and happiness.
� Avoiding places, feelings, thoughts or activities that remind the person of the traumatic event
� Frightening thoughts
� Nightmares
� Outbursts of anger/irritability
� Hopelesness and/or severe depression
� Difficulty concentrating
� Emotional numbness
� Substance abuse
� Stomach problems, headaches, chest pain, dizziness
� Reduction in interest in life and usual activities
� Finding it difficult to fall asleep or to get back to sleep after waking up in between
� Hypervigilance
� Detachment from people
Effective Treatment- Comprehensive and Individualized
Different kinds of treatment are available for post-traumatic stress disorder namely Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma focused CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), family therapy, group therapy, attachment therapy, exposure therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy and medication management.
Treatment for PTSD which can be quite a debilitating condition should be comprehensive- involving the client�s support system, body, mind, and spirit and should be highly individualized.
PTSD - Castlewood, a residential eating disorder treatment center in St. Louis, Missouri, provides comprehensive eating disorder treatment and anxiety treatment.

My Boyfriend Has PTSD And Has Pushed Me Away.

2011-09-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

A very common scenario when dealing with PTSD: My boyfriend has PTSD and has pushed me away. This is one of the saddest causalities of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. What do you do when your boyfriend or girlfriend who is suffering with PTSD pushes you away? The most obvious answer is to leave them alone for a while and hope that they can sort it all out and come back to the relationship soon. But as women, that truly does go against our nature. We want to draw closer to someone that we love when we know that they are hurting. We try to be comforting and supportive. This is instinctual for us. It feels like we are �falling down on the job� as women to go away and leave someone alone when they are in emotional pain. After all, when we are in emotional pain, the last thing that we want is to be left alone. It just feels so wrong.
The truth is, if your boyfriend, husband, or partner who has PTSD tells you that he needs some time alone, not honoring that request will do more damage than you might imagine. This type of request is never made without him considering the risk that it could make you angry, suspicious, or even jealous. We women do tend to read those types of themes into these requests. When you consider that we are dealing with PTSD, I wouldn�t jump straight to those conclusions unless he has previously given you a reason to do so.
People who have PTSD can become overwhelmed very easily and very quickly. Sometimes they have to be alone to recharge their batteries. Sometimes they need some time to sort out all of the craziness that is going on in their heads. Men who have PTSD are still men and we all know that they have to crawl in their caves every once in awhile regardless of whether they have a stress disorder or not.

The worst thing that you can do is send a steady stream of texts letting him know that you love him, are thinking about him, and hoping that he is ok. That will actually add to his stress and make him go deeper into himself- thus pushing you away even farther.
The good news is that there is something that you can do that will earn you major brownie points while making him feel respected and cared for. When you get these types of requests for space, give him a big hug and a kiss, if he will allow it. Tell him that you understand and that you will be calling him at a specific time the next day. Then, call him at that time. If he is still pushing you away, tell him that you will call him at another predetermined time. What you are doing is respecting his wishes, while letting him know that you won�t be pushed away too far. You will be in touch with him (whether he likes it or not) and if he�s not any better mentally, you�ll give him more time.
Set the boundary of communicating once or twice a day when he is like this. It will keep you from going crazy wondering how he is and what is going on. Dealing with a boyfriend or a girlfriend who has PTSD can be challenging and confusing at times. Sometimes you have to use a lot of critical thinking, common sense, and flexibility. At times, it is hard to know what will be the most helpful and what will set the person off. Ultimately, education is the key to dealing with PTSD. Once you know what to expect, it is not too difficult to personalize a solid plan that is specific to the person that you love.
Erin Harrington. I hold a BHSM and a MS/P. I have worked in the field of mental health for many years. In addition to being a sufferer of PTSD, I specialize in helping those who also have this disorder as well as the people that love them. Want to know how to manage and minimize the symptoms of PTSD and regain control of your life once again? Are you looking to help someone that you love through Post Traumatic Stress and have the best possible relationship with them? Visit my website below to find out how to bring the joy back into your life.
http://www.eclecticerin.com
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RPRZCK

Complex PTSD Treatment in St Louis, Mo

2011-09-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

Complex PTSD treatment is available in St.Louis, Mo from providers of professional eating disorder treatment. PTSD is often seen in conjunction with Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, both of which are treatable eating disorders. If a person is suffering from both disorders, effective treatment should address both the eating disorder and the complex PTSD in order to prevent relapse.
Manage Complex PTSD with Effective Treatment in St Louis, Mo
The following are different options available to manage Complex PTSD:
� Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) � This treatment approach involves activating components of a traumatic memory or disturbing life event and pairing those components with alternating bilateral or dual attention stimulation. This process appears to facilitate the reintegration of normal information processing. This treatment approach can result in the alleviation of presenting symptoms, diminution of distress from the memory, improved view of the self, relief from bodily disturbance, and resolution of present and future anticipated triggers.
� Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy � This type of therapy works to reduce feelings of distress associated with the trauma. The effectiveness of this modality lies in facing trauma-associated thoughts, situations, and feelings that the patient may have avoided because of the anguish it triggers. Repeated exposure to these distressing thoughts, situations, and feelings paired with self soothing and reprocessing helps the client recognize that the same trauma will not result and the distress gradually decreases in intensity.
� Medications � Medication can help curb the anxiety, depression, and insomnia associated with PTSD. Medication works best in conjunction with psychotherapy and should always be overseen by a licensed psychiatrist.
� Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) � This type of therapy focuses on helping clients identify disruptive thought patterns and beliefs that have resulted from the trauma. Clinicians who utilize CBT typically help clients focus on taking back power and control over their thought processes and resulting behavior.
� Group Therapy � The group setting offers a therapeutic environment in which clients can share experiences with other people who have faced traumatic situations. The group environment can provide a sense of universality, safety, empathy, and cohesion.
Helping a Loved One with Complex PTSD
If you suspect someone you know to have complex PTSD, encourage them to go to a mental health professional for help. You can help by being understanding and patient while the person starts treatment. Also be prepared to handle upsetting reactions when your loved one comes into contact with any distressing triggers. Don�t push the sufferer to open up about her traumatic experiences but do let her know that you�ll be there to hear her out when she is ready to talk.

You can get more information about Complex PTSD treatment in St.Louis, Mo online.
Complex PTSD Treatment - Castlewood, a residential eating disorder treatment center, provides anorexia treatment, bulimia treatment and treatment for compulsive over-eating, binge eating disorders and dissociative disorders.

PTSD from Domestic Violence

2011-09-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Most people think of PTSD as something that young soldiers get from combat and too many deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. But many of the streets and homes in the U.S. are as violent as combat zones in the deserts and cities of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan. And this domestic violence will not end when all of our troops are safely back home.
Every nine seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten. Over 500,000 women are raped each year in the United States. PTSD from abuse and PTSD from domestic violence and similar traumatic stress related symptoms and conditions are caused by these kinds of assaults.
Most domestic violence is not reported much less acknowledged or treated as traumatic stress. If you�ve been the victim of this kind of assault or been raped or threatened with death or violent harm, you could well be currently suffering from traumatic stress or full blown PTSD just as if you had served multiple deployments in a combat area.
To you, your home or neighborhood may be filled with as much tension, expectation of injury or death from a spouse, or ex-spouse, boyfriend or just an acquaintance or relative as any forward station in Afghanistan. It�s not just the events that create the stress; it�s the constant expectation of violence and harm that also does so much damage.
Just saying "no" is useless. Hoping for something to change can get you killed. Get out fast.
Every guideline or recommendation in the domestic violence literature says to get away from the situation as fast as you can and find a safe place. There is usually no �fixing� the perpetrator, no change of heart that will occur. Just get out, get out fast, and find a safe place.
ClaytonStress.com is not a shelter or organization that physically cares for women who have escaped a violent situation or domestic violence. It is not a chat group or a support group where women may find support and comfort. But it is a secure and safe site where victims of domestic violence can begin to find relief from some of the PTSD from abuse and PTSD from domestic violence and similar psychological damage that has occurred.
ClaytonStress.com offers real and lasting relief for traumatic stress.
People who used the ClaytonStress.com program featuring Eye Movement Memory Processing� (EMMP)� reported, on average, a 43% reduction in PTSD symptoms and traumatic stress found in victims of traumatic events like combat, domestic violence, assault, sexual abuse, urban violence, and rape.
The user on ClaytonStress.com creates her own private user name and password. She never discloses any information on the nature, details, source, or degree of the traumatic event she has suffered. There is no therapist. No name or personal information is ever required. All sessions are anonymous. The program is self-directed and inter-active. The user follows the instructions and activities directed by the computer.
It's hard to talk to someone you don�t know about something traumatic that is terribly personal and at times, overwhelming in its violence, horror and loss. EMMP works better because people with traumatic stress aren�t required to identify themselves in any way or �bare their souls� and discuss incredibly painful memories with a therapist who they don�t really know or with whom there is no established relationship.
More sessions may be needed for optimal results for PTSD from abuse and PTSD from domestic violence. Program users who have experienced many traumatic events over a long period of time (long-term abusive relationships) may require a higher number of sessions to achieve results in reducing their anxiety and stress.
EMMP sessions work very fast, processing even the most difficult memories in a short time-frame; research shows relief is lasting.
President, ClaytonStress.com
Website: ClaytonStress.com
©2011 ClaytonStress.com, Inc. All Right Reserved United States Patent Pending EMMP�

Jeff Eastman is founder of ClaytonStress.com, an online provider of computer therapy for traumatic stress including PTSD.

PTSD Screening: Drug, Then Drug Some More

2011-09-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

"Mentally ill" has been extended to include most of the population if psychiatry's diagnostic manual is to be believed, for in it you can find almost any nuance of human behaviour, any quirk or difficulty that people from time to time can manifest and the "solution" as it is with war veterans and PTSD, is to drug, then drug some more.
The drugs then set the problem in concrete, guaranteeing that it and its consequences, via the damage and mental and physical complications inflicted by those drugs, will bedevil the person from there on out. A wound that might have healed, so to speak, will now give rise to a knock-on of ailments via the drugs used to treat it and the person at the very least is consigned to living out his days in a drugged-out haze.
Estimates of how many soldiers suffer from PTSD have soared from 196,000 in 2005 (when $274 million, were spent on treating it, comprising 13% of all Veteran Administration mental health costs) to 320,000 in 2009 and the dollars going into psycho-pharmacy coffers because of it have soared commensurately. Drugging stations are now attached to the military so that the soldiers can be more efficiently drugged and nobody tells them that since just 2001, there have been more than 20 drug regulatory warnings issued about the dangers - often lethal - of antipsychotic drugs.
Taking this still further, psychiatrists attached limpet-like to the military have now implemented a system for screening for depression and PTSD. All soldiers are encouraged to complete a questionnaire when visiting a primary care doctor and based on their responses are routinely prescribed drugs - often antidepressants or antipsychotics.
Such questionnaires used include the "Patient Health Questionnaire" (PHQ) and to take one example of how devious this operation is, its questions include:(in the past two weeks, have you experienced) "little interest or pleasure in doing things, trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much, feeling tired or having little energy, poor eating or overeating, feeling bad about yourself, or if you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down, had trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television" to name a few. These are questions to which any of us might at one time or another answer "yes", especially if we are sat in a tent with shells exploding overhead, are exhausted by a tough routine and forced to eat army grub!
It is a fact too that such phenomena can have any one of dozens of causes and depression itself almost always derives from an underlying, undetected physical malady or nutritional deficiency, but the checklist arbitrarily requires 5 or more of the items to warrant a diagnosis and does not look at other factors such as fatigue, poor diet, toxic poisoning and so forth.
The free online depression-screening test meanwhile is copyrighted to Pfizer, who manufacture the antidepressant Zoloft. So one could be forgiven for thinking there may be a conflict of interest there - and that there is no deceit or trickery too devious or dishonourable for certain corporations if it means making a buck, even at the expense of young men and women risking their lives for their country.
Psychiatrist Joseph Glenmullen of Harvard Medical School says that such questionnaires "may look scientific," but "when one examines the questions asked and the scales used, they are utterly subjective measures...." And if you are still inclined to be charitable about drug corporation motives, consider this:
Pfizer gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Zoloft's use in treating PTSD in 1999. After that it financed the creation of a group called the "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance" (PTSD) which then propagandized the idea that PTSD was not just for combatants, but could affect anyone and, lo, the made-up disease inflated overnight, like a balloon full of hot air, into something several times its original size. The PTDSA was staffed by employees of Pfizer's New York public-relations firm, the Chandler Chicco Agency, and even operated out of the firm's offices! And nobody in government or the military saw anything at all wrong with this picture!
I'm sure the dedicated humanitarians in Pfizer and its front group the PTSDA had only the best interests of Americans at heart but one could be forgiven for concluding on the basis of this evidence that here is a sleazy trick designed to hoodwink more Americans into using Pfizer's drugs.
The impression of criminality is heightened still further when one discovers that the PTSDA also connected journalists up with so-called "PTSD experts" such as Jerilyn Ross, who just happens - by amazing coincidence - to be CEO of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), another front group heavily financed by Pfizer - along with GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, and other drug-industry giants.
It is no coincidence that in the months following the launch of Pfizer's campaign, media mentions of PTSD skyrocketed. When a made-up mental illness gets enough coverage and is propagandized by groups that appear to be interested only in your welfare, it is only a matter of time before it becomes an "everybody knows." Seeing it mentioned all over the place, people assume that it must have some bona fides and thus we have a full blown brain disease cutting a swathe of destruction through the populace - for which Pfizer at el just happen to have the antidote. (Lucky for all of us they were there!)
Bear in mind that the fine humanitarians in the PTDSA issued a statement about two weeks after the 9/11 attacks, warning that post-traumatic stress could strike at anyone who has "witnessed a violent act" or experienced "distressing events such as the September 11 terrorist attacks." So not only did people have the shock of the 9/11 horror to contend with, they had the marketing arm of the psycho-pharmacy telling them they had a diseased brain to boot!
According to the Psychiatric News, during the following month, Pfizer spent $5.6 million advertising the benefits of Zoloft in treating PTSD - 25% more than it had spent, on average, from January to June.
Not only were Pfizer quick to make a buck out of the 9/11 catastrophe, other drug companies didn't hang about either. After September 11, GlaxoSmithKline for example, spent $16 million in October promoting its PTSD drug Paxil - a massive increase in its pre-9/11 marketing of the drug. A few weeks later, in December, it ran commercials built around lines such as 'I'm always thinking something terrible is going to happen."
Watching the psycho-pharmacy in operation, I get the same feeling too.
Visit http://www.wellhealthy.org now for more information and free e-books.

Addictive Behavior & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

2011-09-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Addictive Behavior & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When a person experiences a traumatic event, often they internalize it and then re-experience the event over and over again later in life. In effect, they are not only traumatized during the initial event but also every time something triggers a memory of the event. A traumatic event is an experience that causes physical, emotional, psychological distress or harm. It is an event that is perceived as a threat to one's safety or to the stability of one's world.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is an event outside of the normal human experiences. It often causes feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. It is different than that of the crisis, in that a person is not able to use coping skills, and there is nothing one can do to stop the event from happening. Examples of trauma would include natural disasters, accidents, and repeated actions like combat, sexual abuse, terrorist threats, or physical and verbal abuse.
Symptoms and Behaviors of PTSD
Some of the severe symptoms include; recurrent distressing memories or dreams of the event, illusions, hallucinations, and flashback. Behavior of intense distress, efforts to avoid feelings or conversations associated with the trauma, effort to detach from others, expression of guilty feelings and irritability or outbursts of anger are all common reactions to PTSD.
Other Symptoms Include:
Having a difficult time remembering important parts of the traumatic event.
A loss of interest in important, once positive, activities.
Feeling distant from others.
Experiencing difficulty having positive feelings such as happiness or love.
Having a difficult time falling or staying asleep.
Feeling more irritable or having outbursts of anger.
Having difficulty concentrating.
Feeling constantly "on guard" or like danger is lurking around every corner.
Being "jumpy" or easily startled.
How People are Impacted by PTSD
Probably the two most common features that impact people who experience PTSD is numbing, and fight or flight reactions. Numbing is witnessed as someone having a flat affect, and fight or flight is perceived as 'I must fight or run away'. Both of these reactions to PTSD are either perceived as real or imagined danger and/or hopelessness. Other reactions that may develop as coping mechanisms are dissociation and addictions.
Substance Abuse and PTSD
Often times drug & alcohol addictions occur as a reaction to immense pressure of PTSD. It is also perceived as a quick solution from the painful, sometimes unacknowledged symptoms of PTSD. It is an easy way to self-medicate from the unresolved trauma and quiet the uncomfortable thoughts. The last thing a victim wants to do is remember a past traumatic event, or extreme hyper-arousal symptoms, which cause them to react to triggers. This tends to send them back into fight or flight reactions. Drugs and alcohol are often chosen to try to cover the unresolved traumatic events of the past.
Untreated PTSD can be a significant source of pain and cause serious emotional issues, which leads many of those suffering to continually self-medicate with alcohol & drugs. If you or someone you know is suffering from a substance abuse problem and are in need of professional help, contact the experts at Doig Consulting. There is a solution; call today for help, recovery is possible.

Doig Consulting Writer
http://www.doigconsulting.com/

Solitude

2011-09-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

Solitude
By Timothy Kendrick
Rated "G" by the Author.

Peace and serenity can bring you solutions to your everyday challenges. How do you get it?

This is a subject that is one of perception. Think if you will the last time you actually did not have any distractions from the radio or TV or the telephone and you just set still closed your eyes and let the world come to you.
A great philosopher said “don’t do something, just sit and let the world come to you”. After all of these years I realize this person meant to let the world come to my inner self, or as Napoleon Hill puts it “your other self”.
Your other self consist of those things and dreams that have been buried inside of you because of all the external input that we allow to come at us on a daily basis. The other self is the dreamer who has goals and a vivid imagination of how his or her future will be. The other self directs the subconscious by the words and physiology that we use to maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. To know that the only limits we have are self imposed by us and our references. Be still and know that the inner voice will guide you and when you have an intuitive thought ACT ON IT!!! Don’t hesitate.
Remember when you where a child you always could play “make believe”. Well, I am here to tell you that you can have make believe now and by believing you will receive. The subconscious mind cannot distinguish between what is real or imagined. This is one of the greatest secrets that I have learned. Any mistakes I have made in the past I go to my memory bank and relive them in solitude by visualizing the way I wanted them to come out. Then I can feel that emotion of happiness, joy, laughter, or prosperity.
The choice is yours Pain or Pleasure. I think we all have experienced enough pain in our lives to want pleasure. It is human nature to move from pain to pleasure don’t fight it when you fight it this only leads to frustration.
Remember Imagination without eventual mobilization leads to massive frustration. So act your way into right thinking only after you have looked inside for that beautiful creative “other self”

Web Site: PTSD

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PTSD: How You Can Help Loved Ones With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

2011-09-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

The latest mental health surveys of American, Canadian and British combat troops in Afghanistan found that 20% -- one soldier in five --suffer from acute stress, depression or anxiety attacks.
According to the Congressional Quarterly Weekly, more U.S. servicemen committed suicide than were killed in combat last year in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some 468 servicemen took their own lives and 462 were killed in action.
As many as 18 veterans of all recent wars take their own lives in the U.S. every day � more than 6,500 per year.
Vietnam veterans have estimated that since that war, suicide has killed more of the soldiers who fought in that conflict than in the actual war itself.
Vietnam Silver and Bronze medal winner Sidney A. Lee, an African-American veteran activist, said in a recent LA Times interview that African American men especially are vulnerable to Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) since they are more frequently assigned to combat units. He said this happens because Blacks usually have poor education, and suicides are often the result of stress diseases like PTSD (often involving flashbacks) as well as brain injuries from explosions.
Canadian Forces Ombudsman Pierre Daigle has called PTSD and related stress illnesses "a real hardship for Canada�s soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen for many years to come." One in four Canadian soldiers returning from combat duty in Afghanistan is suffering from mental problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression or �high-risk drinking,� according to post-deployment screening reports.
A conference hosted by the Veteran's Health Research Institute in San Francisco, called "Preparing For the Future of Veterans Health," revealed that research indicates that PTSD affects the body as well as the brain. Their research suggest that older PTSD veterans were almost twice as likely to develop dementia, they have two to three times higher risk of heart disease, and have a higher risk of death after surgery.
Grim news.
But, studies show the treatment of PTSD gives veterans a fighting chance of regaining good mental and physical health.
*
PTSD affects 15 to 20 percent of military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. So, the US Veteran's Administration is hoping that those veterans get treatment, sooner, rather than later, to head off those long term health problems.
In the UK, latest official British military figures state that almost 4,000 service men and women - 2% of the Armed Forces - were diagnosed with mental health problems last year. It's only recently that PTSD has been publicly discussed in the UK. Men who are veterans of conflicts from the Falklands to Iraq and Afghanistan are beginning to come together in privately organized self-help groups, perhaps a typically English way of handling the problem. An example is the "Combat Stress Angling Society" -- founded by a former paratrooper who served in Northern Ireland. After getting the attention of a philanthropic aristocrat, Lady Victoria Leatham, the Angling Society has been granted free access to fishing at more than 50 stately homes across the quiet English countryside, including Blenheim Palace.
From government therapy to self-help treatment, PTSD is finally being recognized -- and treated.
To completely understand what you or a loved one are experiencing -- and what treatment to use for a complete cure -- See the New "What's New in the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Panic Disorder?" CLICK HERE: TREATMENT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
As a therapist and relationship expert, I have seen a sea change in the way we perceive romance and sexuality. As the folks at http://www.wuving.com well know.
- Kate
Copyright© 2011 by Kathleen Falken. This Article may be freely copied and distributed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice and active links.
Kate Falken has participated in psychic research, dreamstudy and the practice of psychology for over 30 years. Click Here for WUVING.com Relationship Tips and Click Here for TREATMENT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

PTSD Training

2011-09-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

PTSD training as with any training dealing with psychological trauma, needs to be delievered by fully qualified experts with experience in the mental health field. EMDR workshops will take you through every stage of the training, ensuring you get advice and support along the way. EMDR training will deal with the theory behind EMDR and the practical side coping techniques and skills to pass on to patients suffering from psychological trauma.
Psychological trauma is an extremely sensitive area and PTSD training needs to be carried out by experts in the field. Completing a EMDR training workshop will enable you to receive a full EMDR UK and Europe accreditation meaning you can safely and legally practice EMDR treatments on your patients. After completing in-depth training you can turn your skills into practical advice and treatments for your patients. EMDR is an effective form of treatment for psychological trauma patients. You will be given continued support after your training to ensure you become a fully accredited practitioner.
Completing EMDR training is one of the most practical ways you can help patients recovering from psychological trauma. PTSD training combined with EMDR training will ensure you have the best possible chance of giving your patients the chance to return to normality. In terms of PTSD training EMDR is a new and exciting innovative development. It works on the principle that specific eye movements can in fact reduce the intensity of distressing traumatic thoughts. The treatment can influence how a patients brain functions and alter the way patients deal with distressing images and memories. After successful treatment memories can still be recalled by patients but without the painful memories and distress previously associated with that memory or image. EMDR is a completely natural therapy with proven results in treating psychological trauma. EMDR is at the forefront of PTSD training.PTSD training as with any training dealing with psychological trauma, needs to be delievered by fully qualified experts with experience in the mental health field. EMDR workshops will take you through every stage of the training, ensuring you get advice and support along the way. EMDR training will deal with the theory behind EMDR and the practical side coping techniques and skills to pass on to patients suffering from psychological trauma.
Psychological trauma is an extremely sensitive area and PTSD training needs to be carried out by experts in the field. Completing a EMDR training workshop will enable you to receive a full EMDR UK and Europe accreditation meaning you can safely and legally practice EMDR treatments on your patients. After completing in-depth training you can turn your skills into practical advice and treatments for your patients. EMDR is an effective form of treatment for psychological trauma patients. You will be given continued support after your training to ensure you become a fully accredited practitioner.
Completing EMDR training is one of the most practical ways you can help patients recovering from psychological trauma. PTSD training combined with EMDR training will ensure you have the best possible chance of giving your patients the chance to return to normality. In terms of PTSD training EMDR is a new and exciting innovative development. It works on the principle that specific eye movements can in fact reduce the intensity of distressing traumatic thoughts. The treatment can influence how a patients brain functions and alter the way patients deal with distressing images and memories. After successful treatment memories can still be recalled by patients but without the painful memories and distress previously associated with that memory or image. EMDR is a completely natural therapy with proven results in treating psychological trauma. EMDR is at the forefront of PTSD training.
The Article is written by http://www.emdrworks.org providing Emdr Training and Emdr Uk. Visit http://www.emdrworks.org for more information on http://www.emdrworks.org Products and Services___________________________Copyright information This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links and this copyright statement must be included. Visit http://www.emdrworks.org for more services!

Car Accidents and PTSD

2011-09-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a life-altering disorder that can affect all aspects of a victim's life, including their physical and psychological wellbeing, mental state, personal relationships and even their job or means of living can all be adversely affected. Though most people associate PTSD with Shell Shock or war trauma, there are many causes for this disorder, including serious or fatal auto accidents. Working as a Seattle personal injury attorney I have seen Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder take a toll on the physical and mental well being of countless car crash victims.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is, in its simplest terms, an anxiety disorder that occurs after a traumatic event and is accompanied by flashbacks, nightmares, lack of involvement with reality, and survivor guilt. PTSD is a bit different from a typical anxiety disorder in that it is triggered by some sort of physical or physiological trauma and it lasts for a prolonged period of time and has a big impact on the sufferer's life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has a variety of symptoms which vary depending on the person. Symptoms include:
Nightmares or flashbacks
Random thoughts about the traumatic event
Sudden anger or sadness
Insomnia
Inability to remember important parts of the traumatic event
Hypervigilance
Loss of interest in life and activities
PTSD symptoms can appear shortly after the trauma is experienced or could take months and years in some cases to develop. In fact, children that are abused or assaulted will oftentimes develop PTSD in adulthood as a direct result of their childhood.
What Causes PTSD?
While Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a type of anxiety, it is more complex in that a severe trauma is altering the brain's function. When experiencing fear or a traumatic experience the brain releases adrenaline- if you have ever participated in an extreme sport such as skydiving, or base jumping or if you have been on a roller coaster even you know the great rush adrenaline can give you. In many PTSD sufferers, however, this adrenaline release never turns off. As a result of the body overproducing adrenaline the victim becomes jumpy, preoccupied and in constant fear of danger. PTSD sufferers are liable to over-react to situations and become hyper-responsive to traumatic or scary events.
There are various traumatic events that can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and do not necessarily have to be a direct physical harm to the person with PTSD.
Severe Car Accident
Sexual Assault
Abuse
Rape
War Trauma or Shell Shock
Fatal Accident in which either a loved one died, or an innocent person died
Child Neglect
Natural Disasters
Death of a loved one
What are the Treatment Options for PTSD?
Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder varies depending on the individual and is decided on by a trained doctor. These treatment options typically involve some form of counseling and therapy and may also include medication depending upon the symptoms and the patient's tolerance of drugs.

For more free "Straight Talk Law" information, please visit the website of King County Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney Jason Epstein at http://www.straighttalklaw.com where you can order free books on personal injury lawyers, Washington auto accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by Mr. Epstein's law practice in Seattle, Washington

PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Defined in Brief

2011-09-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

Covering the past decade, as Concerning worked with cops, firfighters, abuse victims and kids of addicts, I have learned that there are numerous causes for PTSD. It's got also affirmed our belief that PTSD can be real and damaging, not only to those who have it, but and also to those around these people. It impacts the best way we act, kick in, our motivation and also our capacity to feel--well, anything.
Horrifying experiences that shatter peoples' sense of predictability and also invulnerability can profoundly transform their coping ability, relationships and the way in which they perceive and interact considering the world. The criteria with regard to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are generally 1) exposure into a traumatic event(s) when the person witnessed or perhaps experienced or had been confronted with an event or events which involved actual or perhaps threatened death or maybe serious injury, or a threat towards physical integrity of self or other people, and 2) the particular person's response required intense fear, helplessness or perhaps horror DSM IV p. 427-28). Gradual Onset Disturbing Stress Disorder is usually caused by repeated exposure to "sub-critical incidents" such as child abuse, traffic fatalities, rapes and personal assaults.
However, not all individuals exposed to injury are "traumatized. " The reason why? In 1998, Pynoos and Nader suggested a theory to help in explaining precisely why people have different reactions to the same event. They asserted that people are at more significant risk of being negatively relying on traumatic events if any belonging to the following are provide: 1) they own experienced other traumatic events inside the preceding 6 many months, 2) they were already really stressed out or depressed whilst the event, 3) the specific situation occurred close with their home or someplace they considered risk-free, 4) the victims bear a similarity to family members or friend and 5) they need little social support.
It has already been argued that representatives, emergency service personnel, children of individuals and abuse victims experience traumatic activities or threats for their safety on a practically daily basis. Getting abused, not knowing when or if your parents will appear home, repeatedly witnessing children murdered, people burned within car fires plus devastated victims starts to take its toll. People like idealistic representatives who joined your force to change the earth and protect the innocent commence to feel like nothing they greatly makes a variation, they cannot possibly keep their zoom safe (criteria 3). It is especially problematic for officers who are now living in or near their particular work zone and often causes frustration and burnout (criteria 2). Children start to feel that the complete world is unmanageable and unsafe.
It truly is still not totally accepted inside law enforcement group for officers in order to discuss the effects of situations upon them. Anger, humor and sarcasm are but a brief outlet for exactly what many officers dream about at night. As their condition worsens, many officials withdraw, because they usually are fearful of trying to get help or service for fear this is an one way ticket to your fitness for responsibility evaluation or can get out and be an obstacle regarding future promotions. Several studies recently have shown which Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is probably the most common associated with psychiatric disorders.
A period that distinguishes individuals who develop PTSD from people that are just temporarily overwhelmed is always that people who acquire PTSD become "stuck" within the trauma, keep re-living them in thoughts, emotions, or images. Its this intrusive reliving, in lieu of the trauma itself that numerous believe is the cause of what we phone PTSD. For illustration, I have caused officers who own responded to infant abuse calls in addition to had a child of their own who was an identical age (criteria 4). Throughout daily life youngsters get hurt and still have bad dreams. As parents they have got seen looks associated with pain and fright in their kids fronts. This makes it just a whole lot of easier to think about the looks associated with terror and agony around the face of the kid as their mum or dad beat them. Sometimes this visualization becomes corrupted and officers suddenly they begin to see their child inside their mental re-enactment from the trauma, obviously a considerably more powerful memory. These officers are more likely to be "traumatized" by the incident and possibly get "stuck. "
Traumatized folks begin organizing their particular lives around staying away from the trauma. Avoidance may take several forms: keeping from the reminders, calling in sick to your workplace, or ingesting medicines or alcohol that numb knowing of distress. The feel of futility, hyperarousal, and various trauma-related changes may perhaps permanently change how people take care of stress, alter thier self-concept and obstruct their view from the world as any basically safe plus predictable place. Inside example above, these customers often became more overprotective of his or her children, suspicious regarding others, and acquired difficulty sleeping, because each and every time they close their particular eyes they see a child.
One of the particular core issues in trauma is always that memories of just what exactly has happened cannot be integrated into someone's general experience. The lack with people's ability in making this "fit" within expectations or the best way they think about the world in ways that makes sense keeps the experience stored inside mind on your sensory level. If people encounter odors, sounds or additional sensory stimuli this remind them on the event, it may trigger a similar response to what those originally had: actual sensations (such as panic attacks), image images (such since flashbacks and nightmares), obsessive ruminations, or behavioral reenactments of elements on the trauma. In this example above, sensory triggers that triggered many of the officers memories were certain cries, researching or seeing a new parent spank its child, returning for the same neighborhood for other calls plus, of course, broadcast tv or news reviews that involved types of abuse.
Encourage treatment is find a method by which people can acknowledge the fact of what includes happened and in some integrate it inside their understanding of the world and not re-experience the trauma again. To be in a position to tell their story, if you can.
The Symptoms connected with PTSD
Regardless on the origin of the particular terror, the mental reacts to overpowering, threatening, and uncontrollable experiences with trained emotional responses. By way of example, rape victims may answer conditioned stimuli, including approach by an unknown man, as if they were about being raped again, plus experience panic.
Remembrance and intrusion with the trauma is expressed on many different levels, ranging out of flashbacks, feelings, real sensations, nightmares, and also interpersonal re-enactments. Interpersonal re-enactments might be especially problematic with the officer leading for you to over-reaction in predicaments that remind the officer of prior experiences in which she or he has felt weak. For example, while in the child abuse case in point above, officers may be much more physically and verbally aggressive toward alleged perpetrators as well as their reports are usually much more unfavorable and subjective.
Hyperarousal. While people having PTSD tend to deal with their environment by means of reducing their selection of emotions or perhaps numbing, their bodies pursue to react to selected physical and emotional stimuli as if there are a continuing danger. This arousal should really alert the human being to potential risk, but seems in order to loose that purpose in traumatized people. This is like like when out of law school officers start including a hot call is definitely toned out, they usually have an adrenaline run. After two or 3 years, the tones not have any affect them. Since traumatized people are always "keyed up" they often never pay any attention to that feeling which should really warn them involving impending danger.
Numbing involving responsiveness. Aware of the difficulties in managing their emotions, traumatized people apparently spend their energies upon avoiding distress. Additionally, they lose enjoyment in things that previously gave them an expression of satisfaction. They will feel "dead on the world". This emotional numbing might be expressed as melancholy, and lack associated with motivation, or when physical reactions. Following being traumatized, many individuals stop feeling satisfaction from involvement inside activities, and they feel that they just "go with the motions" of everyday living. Emotional numbness also gets in the way of resolving this trauma in treatment.
Intense emotional tendencies and sleep difficulties. Traumatized people choose immediately from experience to reaction without being capable of first figure away what makes these people so upset. They often experience intense worry, anxiety, anger and panic reacting to even small stimuli. This makes them either overreact as well as intimidate others, so they can shut down and freeze. Both parents and children using such hyperarousal will experience sleep complications, because they are unable to settle down enough in store sleep, and because they that terrifies them having nightmares. Many traumatized people report dream-interruption insomnia: they wake themselves up when they start having a dream, for fear that this dream will become a trauma-related nightmare. They also are prone to exhibit hypervigilance, overstated startle response as well as restlessness.
Learning problems. Being "keyed-up" disturbs the capacity to concentrate also to learn from expertise. Traumatized people usually have trouble remembering regular events. It is useful to always produce things down pertaining to them. Often "keyed-up" as well as having difficulty focusing, they may showcase symptoms of particular attention deficit disorder.
Soon after a trauma, people often regress in order to earlier modes of coping with stress. In individuals, it is indicated in excessive dependence and in the loss of capacity to produce thoughtful, independent options. In officers, this is often noticed because they suddenly begin making a lot of poor decisions, their reports reduce quality and detail and perhaps they are unable to center. In children they will begin wetting their own bed, having fears of monsters and also having temper tantrums.
Aggression against self among others: Both adults and children who definitely have been traumatized could very well turn their violence against others or maybe themselves. Due with their persistent anxiety, traumatized people have been "stressed out, " so it not take much to them tripped. This aggression may take many forms including fighting to extreme exercise or passion about something---anything to stay them from planning on the trauma.
Psychosomatic responses. Chronic anxiety along with emotional numbing also get in how of learning to identify and discuss central states and would like. May traumatized people report a higher frequency of problems, back and throat aches, gastro-intestinal difficulties etceteras. Since your stress is getting held inside, the body begins to come to be distressed.
Summary
Soon after a trauma, people realize your limited scope of their safety, power and control on this planet, and life can't ever be the exact same. The traumatic experience becomes part of a person's your life. Sorting out exactly what happened and giving one's reactions having others can make a great deal of difference a person's recovery. Putting the allergic reactions and thoughts in connection with the trauma into words is important in the resolution of post painful reactions. This should, however, be done which includes a professional specializing in PTSD with the wide range connected with reactions people have when they start confronting and also integrating the memories in the trauma.
Failure to approach trauma related material gradually will probably make things even worse. Often, talking in regards to the trauma is insufficient: trauma survivors need to take some action that symbolizes triumph above helplessness and lose faith. The Holocaust Memorial service in Jerusalem along with the Vietnam Memorial with Washington, DC, are good examples of symbols regarding survivors to mourn that dead and determine the historical in addition to cultural meaning in the traumatic events. There are several events for survivors connected with traumas that representatives can also be a part of. These events remind survivors that this there are others who've shared similar activities. Other symbolic behavior may take the form of writing the book, taking political actions or helping various other victims.
PTSD can be real, and is usually resolved with time period, patience and compassion.
PTSD Symptoms

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD - a review

2011-09-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you.
During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening. Anyone who has gone through a life-threatening event can develop PTSD.
- These events can include:
- Combat or military exposure
- Child sexual or physical abuse
- Terrorist attacks
- Sexual or physical assault
- Serious accidents, such as a car wreck.
- Natural disasters, such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, or earthquake.
After the event, you may feel scared, confused, or angry. If these feelings don't go away or they get worse, you may have PTSD. These symptoms may disrupt your life, making it hard to continue with your daily activities.
How does PTSD develop?
All people with PTSD have lived through a traumatic event that caused them to fear for their lives, see horrible things, and feel helpless. Strong emotions caused by the event create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD.
Most people who go through a traumatic event have some symptoms at the beginning. Yet only some will develop PTSD. It isn't clear why some people develop PTSD and others don't. How likely you are to get
PTSD depends on many things:
- How intense the trauma was or how long it lasted
- If you lost someone you were close to or were hurt
- How close you were to the event
- How strong your reaction was
- How much you felt in control of events
- How much help and support you got after the event
Many people who develop PTSD get better at some time. But about 1 out of 3 people with PTSD may continue to have some symptoms. Even if you continue to have symptoms, treatment can help you cope. Your symptoms don't have to interfere with your everyday activities, work, and relationships.
Many people who are involved in traumatic events have a brief period of difficulty adjusting and coping. But with time and healthy coping methods, such traumatic reactions usually get better. In some cases, though, the symptoms can get worse or last for months or even years. Sometimes they may completely disrupt your life. In these cases, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder.
Getting treatment as soon as possible after post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms develop may prevent PTSD from becoming a long-term condition.
The Symptoms of PTSD site has been established by ex-servicemen to offer information to suffers of PTSD and help them connect with other people affected by the condition.
Within the site you will find basic information about the condition, links to in-depth features and publications and to products and services that can help you beat the condition.

Even Railroad Workers Get PTSD

2011-09-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Every time a railroad worker clocks in on the job, he relinquishes a bit of power over his safety and over the occurrences of the day. A railroad worker must put his faith in motorists, pedestrians, and above all his coworkers to prevent accidents. Nevertheless, frequent serious and sometimes fatal accidents happen due to the negligent or deliberate acts of others, and the worker is forced to observe the horrific event firsthand.
When that happens a railroad worker may suffer from a serious condition known as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even though he was never physically hurt in the crash and even though he was not responsible for the accident. PTSD sufferers relive the horrific event over and over again in a way that can significantly interfere with their jobs and with their personal lives.
The Federal Railroad Administration Takes PTSD Seriously
In February 2011, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded a grant to address post traumatic stress disorder in train crews. The $50,000 grant was awarded to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which has been charged with developing a program to address the onset and treatment of both PTSD and ASD (Acute Distress Disorder). The FRA is particularly worried about the onset of PTSD or ASD following a pedestrian train death or a death at a highway rail crossing.
How PTSD Could Affect Your Life
The FRA and many medical professionals take PTSD seriously because of the potentially significant affects that the condition can have on the people who suffer from it. Post traumatic stress will manifest itself in several ways. For example, some PTSD sufferers relive the event over and over again in ways that interfere with their day to day functioning, while other PTSD victims relive the event in nightmares that keep them from getting the rest that they need to function during the day. Still other sufferers begin to avoid anything that triggers flashbacks, and thus are unable to do their jobs as they did prior to the accident. Not all sufferers actively avoid their triggers, but these suffers in particular are acutely aware of potential triggers, and operate in a perpetually nervous and distracted state.
Getting Help from a Railroad Injury Lawyer for PTSD
If you have suffered PTSD or ASD after a train accident fatality, then you may be entitled to help and to compensation for your injuries. The type of care you require and the amount compensation you deserve are directly linked with how seriously PTSD has impacted your life. If you have incurred medical bills, if you have lost income, or if you have suffered other financial setbacks because of your railroad injury, then it is important to contact a railroad injury attorney to discuss your case.

If you have suffered PTSD or ASD after a serious train accident, contact an experienced New York Railroad Attorney from Hofmann & Schweitzer. A free consultation with their New York FELA Attorney will help make sense of your options. Visit Hofmann & Schweitzer at http://www.hofmannlawfirm.com/.

Supporting Employees with PTSD: Accommodations That Can Help Your Workers With Combat Stress - And Your Business

2011-09-11T11:13:00.000-07:00
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It�s one of the signature conditions of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and by many accounts, a great deal of returning service members will be coping with the effects of PTSD as they transition to civilian life. For employers, that brings up some important questions � among them, what should they expect from employees with PTSD, and how can they support them in the workplace.
It�s true that veterans � and anyone experiencing the effects of PTSD � may face day-to-day difficulties in their work environment. However, employers can play a vital role in these individuals' recovery by recognizing the challenges associated with PTSD and making adjustments and reasonable accommodations to help ensure workplace success. And disabled veterans aren�t the only ones that stand to benefit from the implementation of workplace supports. Veterans are known to make excellent employees, so helping them succeed on the job can not only contribute to the veteran�s recovery � it can positively impact a business�s bottom line.
People with PTSD may experience some of the limitations discussed in this article, however they seldom will develop all of them. The severity of the combat stress and degree of limitation will vary among individuals. Employers should be aware that not all people with PTSD will need accommodations to perform their jobs, and many others may only need a few accommodations. However, in many cases, simple, inexpensive workplace supports can make all the difference toward a successful employment experience.
Employers should also know that unless the employee reveals, or makes available information, that they have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, the employer will not necessarily know whether the condition is present. In fact, job applicants do not have to disclose a disability on a job application, or in a job interview, unless they need an accommodation to assist them in the application or interview process. Employers can learn more about their responsibilities under state and federal disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), by contacting the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) by phone (1-800-526-7234) or online at http://www.jan.wvu.edu.
Key Questions
Prior to implementing workplace accommodations for employees with post-traumatic stress, employers should ask themselves the following questions:
- What limitations is the employee with PTSD experiencing, and how do these limitations affect the employee's job performance?
- What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these limitations?
- What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems?
- Has the employee with PTSD been consulted regarding possible accommodations?
- Do supervisory personnel and employees need training regarding PTSD and workplace accommodations?
Accommodation Ideas
Once they have considered these questions, employers and human resource professionals will be poised to identify appropriate workplace supports that can help those with PTSD succeed on the job. The following represents only a sample of the types of accommodations and/or adjustments an employer might consider for an employee experiencing combat stress.
Memory:
- Provide written instructions
- Post written instructions for use of equipment
- Use a wall calendar
- Use a daily or weekly task list
- Provide verbal prompts and reminders
- Use electronic organizers or hand held devices
- Allow the employee to tape record meetings
- Provide written minutes of each meeting
- Allow additional training time

Lack of Concentration:
- Reduce distractions in the work environment
- Provide space enclosures or a private space
- Allow for the use of white noise or environmental sound machines
- Allow the employee to play soothing music using a music player and a headset
- Increase natural lighting or increase full spectrum lighting
- Divide large assignments into smaller goal-oriented tasks or steps
- Plan for uninterrupted work time

Time Management/Performing or Completing Tasks:
- Make daily "TO-DO" lists and check items off as they are completed
- Divide large assignments into smaller tasks and steps
- Schedule weekly meetings with supervisor, manager or mentor to determine if goals are being met
- Remind employee of important deadlines via memos or e-mail

Disorganization:
- Use calendars to mark meetings and deadlines
- Use electronic organizers
- Hire a professional organizer or organizational coach
- Assign a mentor to assist the employee

Coping with Stress:
- Allow longer or more frequent work breaks
- Provide back-up coverage for when the employee needs to take breaks
- Provide additional time to learn new responsibilities
- Restructure job to include only essential functions
- Allow time off for counseling
- Assign a supervisor, manager or mentor to answer employee's questions

Working Effectively with a Supervisor:
- Give assignments, instructions or training in writing or via e-mail

- Provide detailed day-to-day guidance and feedback
- Provide positive reinforcement
- Provide clear expectations and the consequences of not meeting expectations
- Develop strategies to deal with problems

Interacting with Co-workers:
- Encourage the employee to walk away from frustrating situations and confrontations
- Allow employee to work from home part-time
- Provide partitions or closed doors to allow for privacy

- Provide disability awareness training to coworkers and supervisors

Dealing with Emotions:
- Refer to employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Use stress management techniques to deal with frustration
- Allow the use of a support animal
- Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for needed support
- Allow frequent breaks

Sleep Disturbance:
- Allow the employee to work one consistent schedule
- Allow for a flexible start time
- Combine regularly scheduled short breaks into one longer break
- Provide a place for the employee to sleep during break

Muscle Tension or Fatigue:
- Build in "stretch breaks" during the workday
- Allow private space to meditate or do yoga
- Allow time off for physical therapy or massage therapy
- Encourage use of the company's wellness program

Absenteeism:
- Allow for a flexible start time or end time, or work from home
- Provide straight shift or permanent schedule
- Modify attendance policy (e.g., count one occurrence for all PTSD-related absences, or allow the employee to make up the time missed)
- Consider allowing telework on occasion

Panic Attacks:
- Allow the employee to take a break and go to a place where s/he feels comfortable to use relaxation techniques or contact a support person
- Identify and remove environmental triggers such as particular smells or noises
- Allow the presence of a support animal

Headaches:
- Provide alternative lighting
- Take breaks from computer work or from reading print material
- Practice stress-relieving techniques

Information & Technical Assistance
Recognizing the needs of businesses that employ our wounded and injured veterans, the U.S. Department of Labor recently unveiled America�s Heroes at Work, a unique initiative designed to help employers support veterans who are coping with PTSD, as well as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). America�s Heroes at Work equips businesses and the workforce development system with free fact sheets, reference guides, training modules and a toll-free helpline (800-526-7234) designed to offer guidance on workplace supports that can help disabled veteran employees succeed on the job.
For more information, visit http://www.AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov.
Michael Reardon is a senior policy advisor in the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, and a manager of America's Heroes at Work, a unique initiative designed to help employers support veterans with PTSD, as well as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). For more information and free technical assistance, visit http://www.AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov or call the Job Accommodation Network (800-526-7234).

What is PTSD?

2011-09-10T20:59:00.000-07:00
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To receive a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you must have experienced an event that "involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others" and must have reacted with "intense fear, helplessness, or horror". PTSD involves a cluster of 3 core symptoms: Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts and images (includes nightmares), Avoidance of situations that remind you of the event (includes blocking out memories of the trauma), and symptoms of Arousal (like getting easily startled, having excessive anxiety, being charged up on adrenaline and other symptoms).
The type, amount or duration, and age at exposure to trauma all play a role in its development. While psychological trauma can occur at any point in the lifespan, trauma has its most profound impact when it occurs during early childhood or adolescence and becomes less pervasively damaging with later onset. Trauma that occurs during these developmentally vulnerable times can lead to PTSD, but may also cause disturbances in emotional development, problems with clear thinking, physical problems, and can cause serious disruptions in your relationships!
Important Facts about Trauma and PTSD:
â�¢ Approximately 15 to 25% of any traumatic event leads to the development of PTSD and especially severe traumas called "high magnitude trauma" may double this rate!
â�¢ Interpersonal violence, such as torture and assault, and prolonged and/or repeated events such as childhood sexual abuse, are more likely than natural events to results in a traumatic response.
â�¢ The estimated lifetime prevalence of PTSD among adult Americans is 7.8%, with women (10.4%) twice as likely as men (5%) to develop PTSD at some point in their lives.
â�¢ Across gender, sexual assault and interpersonal violence are associated with the highest PTSD rates overall.
â�¢ Between 17 and 33% of women in the general population report sexual-physical abuse and between 40 to 70% of people receiving psychiatric treatment experienced a childhood trauma
Other Problems Caused by Trauma and PTSD:
â�¢Major Depression, Substance Use, and Other Anxiety Disorders: There is increasing scientific evidence that trauma causes other psychiatric disorders. 80% of people who have PTSD also suffer from the above disorders.
â�¢Substance Use Disorders: If you have PTSD, you may seek to self medicate painful trauma emotions by using alcohol or other drugs, and are at risk for becoming addicted.
â�¢Dissociation: Dissociation is a psychological defense against overwhelming feelings where you may experience memory lapses, feel unreal or altered, dreamy or outside of your body, etc.
â�¢Alexithymia: relates to the absence or inability to experience feelings.
â�¢Traumatic Amnesia: Forgetting all or parts of what happened to you when you were traumatized
â�¢PTSD and Suicide: You are at increased risk of suicide if you have PTSD!!!

For more information on PTSD and its treatment see http://docericryan.com/what-is-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/. Dr. Eric Ryan is a psychologist in private practice in Santa Rosa California. He is currently the Training Director for the Post Doctoral Residency Program at Kaiser Psychiatry in Santa Rosa and was previously the Chair for the Anxiety Disorder Best Practices for all of Northern California Kaiser Psychiatry. For more information about Dr. Ryan go to http://www.docericryan.com

PTSD: New Treatment for Soldiers Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

2011-09-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

American and Canadian soldiers with PTSD are being redeployed back to combat duty, say CBS and CBC reports.
"Many soldiers and their families are treating their own Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, known as PTSD," says military doctor Harry F., speaking off the record. "There are successes, yes, with self treatment. Especially with the help of family or spouses. But it's about time that PTSD be recognized by our military for what it is -- an age-old problem that in this day and age should get more proactive treatment by the very governments that ask our brave men and women to serve in foreign battlegrounds."
In the First World War, it was called Shell Shock. In the Second World War and Korea, Combat Fatigue. And Veterans usually handled it with alcohol.
"It's been typical of young soldiers to fire over the heads of the enemy when they first go into combat," explained Dr Harry. "Despite a centries-long cultural history of adventure literature, pulp fiction, Hollywood action movies and today's violent video games, the military has always had a problem with making most men into trained combattants. That's why first-timers had such a problem with killing the enemy. But when they see their own side taking casualties, that philosophy quickly changes, and their training takes over. But the experiences of war still take a lot out of the combattants. They feel like they are not living up to the image of the Mythic Hero."
He calls PTSD "Panic Attack Disorder on Speed." Symptoms can include flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, feeling emotionally numb, memory troubles, avoiding activities once enjoyed, irritability or anger and self-destructive behaviour. As with Panic Attack Disorder, the symptoms can include: shortness of breath or hyperventilation, heart palpitations or a racing heart, chest pain or discomfort, trembling or shaking, choking feeling, feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings, and fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy.
*
As CBS News said in a report titled "Healing the invisible wounds of war," from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center: "Since 2003, more than 4,400 Americans have died in Iraq. Many who survive combat face a new battle at home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Their spouses often suffer along with them."
Col. Charles Engel, who set up a trial PTSD treatment program at the Deployment Health Clinical Center, says the military is only now coming to grips with the effect PTSD can have on families.
"We've been at war for a decade at this point and on some level even for those of us who are in it it's sort of shocking that we continue to learn as we go," Engel said. "Sometimes we've got to swallow hard when we realize that we're this far in and we're just seeing some things."
To date, the military has diagnosed 78,000 cases of PTSD. But the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs has cited estimates based on Veteran's Administration data that put the real number close to 800,000. To catch up with numbers like that, he says, there will have to be programs like this in communities all over the country.
American Larry Syverson has been fighting to draw attention to the practice of redeploying soldiers who suffered from PTSD by the U.S. army. His son, Bryce, served in Iraq then suffered a breakdown and ended up in an American military hospital on suicide watch.
"PTSD is not something that just goes away," says Syverson. "You have it for the rest of your life. And to think that, 'Oh well, they're doing OK now we'll give 'em a gun, we'll send 'em back,' who knows when that's gonna happen that it comes back. And it will come back."
*
In a CBC News report titled "Canadian military redeploying soldiers with PTSD," the news channel reported that the practice of redeploying soldiers who suffered from PTSD partly stems from a decades-old military rule called Universality of Service. It states that members of the Forces must be fit or capable to deploy on operations. Many soldiers refuse to admit to their symptoms, in order to remain in the Service.
Ottawa psychologist Ken Welburn, who counts current and former soldiers among his clients, used to help soldiers redeploy after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, but now believes that was a mistake.
"I think that soldiers with PTSD should not be re-deployed into a war zone," said Welburn, director of the Ottawa Anxiety and Trauma Clinic. "If you go back on another deployment it's like going into the sun after a bad sunburn. You are going to pay for it."
The Canadian Forces' senior mental health adviser, Dr. Rakesh Jetly, says the military ensures soldiers get treatment and have time to heal before redeployment. Before a Canadian Forces member who suffered from PTSD is sent on a tour, they must successfully complete six to nine months of predeployment training.
*
The outspoken Dr Harry F goes further. "It's about time that our government takes full responsiblity for the men and women it sends into harm's way. Our nation has an attrocious history in the way it abandons it's soldiers when it no longer needs them. Tens of thousands of World War Two veterans were dumped back into society after 1945 and told to live normal, productive lives. They didn't. They couldn't. It's time that PTSD be given the recognition it deserves. Right now, there are still thousands of young veterans who are getting the best treatment, not from our medical facilities, but from loving family members. The government has to step up."
To completely understand what you or a loved one are experiencing -- and what treatment to use for a complete cure -- See the New "What's New in the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Panic Disorder?" CLICK HERE: TREATMENT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
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Copyright© 2011 by Kathleen Falken. This Article may be freely copied and distributed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice and active links.

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PTSD Presented

2011-09-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

Common among war veterans, rape subjects, and others who are able to experienced terrifying events, post-traumatic stress disorder can be described as conditions that is seen as the gripping fear persistent as a consequence of flashback thoughts on the ordeal. Post-traumatic tension disorder, also known as PTSD can distress a person's deliver the results, social, and family members lives.

There are several horrible events which could cause one experiencing PTSD symptoms. Besides those as listed above, these include: children abuse, violent disorders, threats, natural troubles, and accidents. In any cause, there is usually a sense of helplessness along with tragic danger. However simply witnessing an awful event can contribute to PTSD.

PTSD has a lot of distinct symptoms that assists you diagnoses your current condition. There include nightmares with regards to the event, avoidance regarding thoughts or feelings, difficulty remembering the feeling, irritability, difficulty putting attention, emotional drain, guiltiness, feelings of distance from friends. Having one or two of these symptoms does not even mean you're fighting with PTSD, and not everyone experiencing a sight will develop this anxiety disorder. Generally, you should can see a doctor is all these symptoms last after 4 weeks.

Treatment for PTSD is vital because the disorder can cause you to be miss work or school and now have trouble socializing. Having PTSD is nothing to get ashamed of-over 5 mil America adults alone say they have got this disorder. PTSD impacts anyone, regardless of age, race, economic position, religion, or regardless, although more women than men tend to have PTSD. When something tragic happens for you and you can't proceed, PTSD is a good likely disorder to create, no matter who you happen to be or what you are similar to.

Thankfully, there would be a few ways to improve PTSD. Therapy is an excellent way to talk around your problems, and additionally, it can help you coming from experiencing PTSD from the beginning. Remember to let you know therapist the real truth about everything and enquire of for advice any time you feel like you will want it to avoid never-wracking situations, like anxiety attacks or flashbacks.

Medication can be possible to help people take care of PTSD. If PTSD can be left untreated, end result could be additional anxiety disorders, depression, taking a nap problems, substance neglect, and a lowered defense system. You can win the fight PTSD! Treatment in all of forms is available to guide you move on utilizing your life or uncover closure. Talk back doctor today if you've wary of yourself developing PTSD.

Sociopaths

Sociopath vs Psychopath

PTSD Explained

2011-09-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

Common among war veterans, rape victims, and others who can experienced terrifying events, post-traumatic stress disorder is a conditions that is characterized by the gripping fear persistent due to flashback thoughts of an ordeal. Post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD can hurt a person's work, social, and family lives.

There are a number of horrible events that could cause one to experience PTSD symptoms. Besides those listed above, these include: child abuse, violent attacks, threats, natural disasters, and accidents. In any cause, there is usually a sense of helplessness and tragic danger. However simply witnessing a horrible event can cause PTSD.

PTSD has a number of distinct symptoms that can help you diagnoses your own condition. There include nightmares about the event, avoidance of thoughts or feelings, difficulty remembering the experience, irritability, difficulty concentrating, emotional drain, guilt, feelings of distance from friends and family. Having one or two of these symptoms does not mean you're suffering from PTSD, and not everyone experiencing an event will develop this anxiety disorder. Generally, you should see a doctor is these symptoms last after one month.

Treatment for PTSD is very important because the disorder can cause you to miss work or school and have trouble socializing. Having PTSD is nothing to be ashamed of-over 5 million America adults alone say they have this disorder. PTSD affects anyone, regardless of age, race, economic status, religion, or gender, although more women than men tend to have PTSD. When something tragic happens in your life and you can't move on, PTSD is a likely disorder to develop, no matter who you are or what you look like.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to treat PTSD. Therapy is a very good way to talk about your problems, and it can also help you from experiencing PTSD from the beginning. Remember to tell you therapist the truth about everything and ask for advice whenever you feel like you need it to avoid never-wracking situations, like panic disorders or flashbacks.

Medication is also possible to help people deal with PTSD. If PTSD is left untreated, the results could be other anxiety disorders, depression, sleeping problems, substance abuse, and a lowered immune system. You can win the fight against PTSD! Treatment in all forms is available to help you move on with your life or find closure. Talk to you doctor today if you've concerned about yourself developing PTSD.

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PTSD Resulting From a Car Accident

2011-09-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Stress and anxiety cause a wide array of medical problems and can lead to serious health complications including anxiety disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. While any kind of anxiety disorder is difficult for both the victim and their loved ones PTSD can have negative effects on all levels of a sufferers life including their personal relationships, job, and their physical and psychological health and wellbeing. PTSD is typically associated with war veterans or Shell Shock, but the causes for this disorder expand well beyond war trauma and often include trauma such as assault or a serious auto accident. Through my time as an auto crash attorney I have seen the effects of PTSD destroy the lives of many serious auto accident victims.

PTSD Defined:

20% of people that go through a traumatic event in their lives suffer from PTSD. With PTSD sufferers unlike victims of other anxiety disorders, however, PTSD is triggered by a traumatic experience, it lasts for a prolonged period of time, and has severe life-altering symptoms that can affect all different aspects of a victims life.

Some common symptoms of PTSD include: Flashbacks, Nightmares, Feeling removed from life, Random thoughts about the traumatic experience, Anger, Inability to sleep or insomnia, Forgetting parts of the traumatic event, Hypervigilence, Irritability, A sense of fear when the event is mentioned or thought of

PTSD can be tricky to diagnose as it does not always develop right away. In fact, sometimes it will take weeks, months or even years for the victim to start feeling the effects of PTSD. Abused or assaulted children may develop PTSD many years after the traumatic incidents took place.

PTSD Causes:

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder goes far beyond the initial cause of the stress, as it chemically alters the brain and its normal processes. Adrenaline is released when the body is afraid. Adrenaline provides the rush that people feel in times of great excitement or fear. For those suffering with PTSD, however, the body over produces adrenaline making the victims unnecessarily jumpy, hyper-responsive and fearful. After the traumatic event, some researchers believe, the PTSD victims brain rewires itself and puts itself on end. Because of this extra adrenaline being pumped through their system Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder sufferers live in a constant state of fear and anxiety.

PTSD can be caused by a number of different physical or psychologically traumatic events such as: Severe auto accident, Fatal auto accident (survivor guilt), Abuse, Shell shock or war trauma, Sexual assault or abuse, Rape, Death of a loved one, Childhood neglect, Natural disaster

PTSD Treatment:

Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder depends largely on the victim's symptoms and the physician. There is a multitude of options to choose from, including psychological help such as counseling and therapy, as well as medications that can deal with any chemical problems. PTSD medications can have a wide variety of side effects and are only prescribed when completely necessary.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can cause serious personal problems, such as depression, medical issues, and suicidal thoughts. If you have experienced the symptoms listed in this article for a prolonged period of time contact a doctor immediately.

If your condition is the result of a severe or fatal auto accident contact an experienced personal injury attorney- the medical bills associated with PTSD can be extremely high and if another driver caused your complications you may be eligible for compensation.

Jason Epstein is a partner at the Seattle and Bellevue based personal injury law firm Premier Law Group. For more information from Seattle car accident lawyer Jason Epstein, go to http://www.plg-pllc.com. You can also get his books on Washington auto accidents for free by going to http://www.straighttalklaw.com/books

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: Where can victims of stress disorders like PTSD find treatment?

2011-09-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

PTSD is on the increase, both in military families, and civilian.

The Armed Forces Foundation says over three million men and women have gone into international combat zones in the past decade.

Patricia Driscoll, the President of Armed Force's Foundation says "and we believe that a good 30 to 40 percent of them have some sort of PTSD or suffering from depression."

Military families have been trying to find help for their returned combat veterans who are suffering form a wide range of emotional problems, all with acronyms like AD (Anxiety Disorder), PD (Panic Disorder) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Also, civilians are suffering more from the same disorders, because of physical traumas from an accident or violent encounter -- or stress over life situations, the most common being personal-relationship, work-place or economy related.

In her book FIELDS OF COMBAT, writer Erin Finley relays the experiences of Iraq war veterans living with PTSD. She interviewed more than 60 veterans for her book and says the most successful veterans she's encountered have been those who focus on serving others in their post-military careers.

"Whether that's serving their community as a police officer or serving their family by having a career and supporting them," she says, having a mission helps veterans with PTSD succeed.

As UK vets have discovered, self-help treatment can be the best. But not for eveybody.

Where can victims of stress disorders like PTSD find treatment?

+++ Sheila Fahy, a weekly volunteer at the Veterans Administration medical complex in Martinez, California, has been spreading the word about a 13-week course on mental health disorders, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

What�s unusual about this PTSD workshop series is the target audience. It�s designed for families who have a member suffering with mental illness, rather than for the patients themselves.

The free course is offered by the National Alliance on Mentally Illness Contra Costa (NAMI CC), and while it is supported by the Martinez Veterans Administration, non-military families are welcome to participate as well.

+++ A Pentagon research lab at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is putting more apps in the pockets of service members coping with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries such as concussion. Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is a joint military base of the United States Army and Air Force located in Pierce and Thurston Counties in the State of Washington.

The latest product from the National Center for Telehealth and Technology features breathing exercises intended to help people manage anxiety and steady their moods. It's called Breathe2Relax, and it's available for iPhone users. An Android version is due soon.

�Breathe2Relax helps with one of the most common effects of PTSD,� said Perry Bosmajian, the psychologist who led the application�s development. �It�s a tool that�s continually available to anyone who needs to reduce their stress.�

+++ Able Forces is a veteran-owned non-profit community rehabilitation program with a mission to address the critical employment and training needs of American combat injured veterans of the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and severely disabled veterans.

With an emphasis on continuity of support, Able Forces provides employment opportunities, job training, and job retraining to the nation's heroes suffering from physical disabilities, PTSD and minor to profound traumatic brain injuries.

+++ The Boot Campaign is a grassroots military awareness campaign based in Texas that raises funds and spreads awareness nationwide through the sale of its signature military boots. The purpose is to say "Thank you" to the troops and to support the needs of injured soldiers returning home from combat.

The organization supports existing charities working with veterans who are severely injured and/or suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). All of the net proceeds from the boots and other Boot Campaign merchandise are donated to charity partners for items such as wellness retreats through the Lone Survivor Foundation, counseling sessions for those with PTSD through Not Alone, home giveaways through Military Warriors Support Foundation, and so much more.

For more information about the Boot Campaign, visit BootCampaign.com.

A new study published in the journal Headache suggests that men who suffer from migraines are at a greater risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to other men and even women.

The study was led by Dr B Lee Peterlin from the Drexel University College of Medicine who found that even though migraines and PTSD were more common among women, the combination of migraines and PTSD was higher.

Stating that sex hormones could play a role in PTSD and stressing the need to screen for the traumatic disorder among those with migraines, Dr Peterlin said, �The current data indicate that behavioral PTSD treatment alone can positively influence chronic pain conditions and disability. Therefore, physicians should consider screening migraine sufferers for PTSD, and men in particular.�

From government therapy to self-help treatment, PTSD is finally being recognized -- and treated.

To completely understand what you or a loved one are experiencing -- and what treatment to use for a complete cure -- See the New "What's New in the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Panic Disorder?" CLICK HERE: TREATMENT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

As a therapist and relationship expert, I have seen a sea change in the way we perceive romance and sexuality. As the folks at http://www.wuving.com well know.

- Kate

How We Can Help Nurses Cope With PTSD

2011-09-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more terrifying events in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.

It is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to an extreme psychological trauma. This stressor may involve someone's actual death or a threat to the patient's or someone else's life, serious physical injury, or threat to physical and/or psychological integrity, to a degree that usual psychological defenses are incapable of coping. In some cases it can also be from profound psychological and emotional trauma, apart from any actual physical harm. Often times, however, the two are combined.

PTSD is a condition distinct from Traumatic stress, which is of less intensity and duration, and combat stress reaction, which is transitory. PTSD has also been recognized in the past as shell shock, traumatic war neurosis, or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS).

PTSD is believed to be caused by psychological trauma. Possible sources of trauma includes experiencing or witnessing childhood or adult physical, emotional or sexual abuse. In addition, experiencing or witnessing an event perceived as life-threatening such as physical assault, adult experiences of sexual assault, accidents, drug addiction, illnesses, medical complications, or the experience of, or employment in occupations exposed to war (such as soldiers) or disaster (such as emergency service workers).

Traumatic events that may cause PTSD symptoms to develop include violent assault, kidnapping, torture, being a hostage, prisoner of war or concentration camp victim, experiencing a disaster, bad car accidents or getting a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.

Children may develop PTSD symptoms by experiencing sexually traumatic events like age inappropriate sexual experiences. Witnessing traumatic experiences or learning about these experiences may also cause the development of PTSD symptoms.

The amount of dissociation that follows directly after a trauma predicts PTSD.

Individuals that are more likely to dissociate during a traumatic event are considerably more likely to develop chronic PTSD.

Which brings us to Nurses and PTSD.

I am a member of the "Bereavement Team" at my hospital. We are mostly concerned with families who lose babies before they are born, who birth dead babies or who deliver premature live babies who subsequently die.

Yet the nurses who care for these families undergo trauma and the more cases we have on a weekly or monthly basis, the more severe the trauma, or dare I say, PTSD.

Our team writes personal notes to the nurses involved in the more difficult cases, and we have a Care For The Care Giver at our yearly Bereavement Skills Day.

Yet this may not be enough.

Even though we are recognizing the condition, a note or a sympathetic nod will not erase the grief that a nurse often feels in these situations.

She may have lost a pregnancy in her past; she may have been sexually abused or raped when she was young; she may be an Adult Child Of An Acoholic; she may have addiction challenges herself.

She may have been raised in a war-torn country; she may have been or is a victim of Domestic Violence; she may have a debilitating chronic illness or perhaps someone close to her has this.

In any event, our bereavement team can help our nurses.

Examples of PTSD Triggers

* For an auto accident survivor: The smell of gasoline

* For a combat veteran: The sound of a helicopter or firecrackers

* For a rape victim: The sight of a person suddenly appearing around the corner

* For a carjacking victim: The song that was playing on the radio at the time of the assault

Symptoms of avoidance

Symptoms of avoidance are prominent in PTSD. You may persistently avoid situations that remind you of the traumatic event you experienced, minimize the event's significance, or push all thoughts of it out of your mind. Avoidance can also take the form of detachment and apathy.

Symptoms of avoidance include:

* Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the trauma

* Avoiding activities, places, or people that remind you of the trauma

* Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma

* Loss of interest in activities and life in general

* Feeling detached or estranged from other people

* Feeling emotionally numb, especially toward loved ones

* Sense of a limited future (you don't expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)

Symptoms of increased arousal

PTSD can cause you to feel and react as if you're constantly in danger. In this state of chronic hyperarousal, your mind and body is on constant red alert, making it impossible to fully relax, be productive, or enjoy life.

The PTSD symptoms of increased arousal and anxiety include:

* Difficulty falling or staying asleep

* Irritability or outbursts of anger

* Difficulty concentrating

* Hypervigilance, or being constantly "on guard"

* An exaggerated startle response, or jumpiness

Treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Treatments for PTSD relieve symptoms by helping you deal with the trauma you've experienced. Rather than avoiding the trauma and any reminder of it, you'll be encouraged in treatment to recall and process the event that caused your PTSD. In treatment for PTSD, you'll also:

* Explore your thoughts and feelings about the trauma

* Work through feelings of guilt, self-blame, and mistrust

* Learn how to cope with and control intrusive memories

* Address problems PTSD has caused in your life and relationships

In addition to offering an outlet for emotions you may have been bottling up, treatment for PTSD will also help restore your sense of control and reduce the powerful hold the memory of the trauma has on your life.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is believed to be the most beneficial treatment for PTSD. There are several types of cognitive-behavioral therapies.

* Exposure therapy - According to a October 2007 report issued by the Institute of Medicine, there is strong evidence for the effectiveness of exposure therapy in PTSD treatment. Exposure therapy for PTSD involves carefully and gradually "exposing" yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma.

Often, you'll start by focusing on a memory that is upsetting but still manageable, then slowly work your way up to more upsetting memories in a process known as systematic desensitization.

As you think about and re-experience these memories in a safe, controlled environment, they will start to feel less intense and overwhelming.

* Cognitive restructuring - In cognitive restructuring, the focus of treatment is to identity upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event'particularly thoughts that are distorted and irrational--and replace them with more accurate, balanced views. For example, you may blame yourself for failing to save a fallen comrade, even if you did everything you could. Cognitive restructuring would help you challenge this troubling thought and learn to look at what happened in a healthier way.

* EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) - EMDR incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds. For example, in EMDR therapy you might talk about the traumatic event while following your therapist's finger back and forth with your eyes.

Eye movements and other bilateral forms of stimulation are thought to work by "unfreezing" the brain's information processing system, which is interrupted in times of extreme stress, leaving only frozen emotional fragments which retain their original intensity. Once EMDR frees these fragments of the trauma, they can be integrated into a cohesive memory and processed.

* EFT: Tapping on strategic pressure points while at the same time, saying phrases that release the anxiety associated with the trauma.

Positive ways of coping with PTSD include:

* Learning about trauma and PTSD.

* Joining a PTSD support group

* Practicing relaxation techniques

* Confiding in a person you trust

* Spending time with positive, supportive people

* Avoiding alcohol and drugs

Our Bereavement Team can guide our nurses in the direction of full recovery.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Kate
Loving Shenk is a writer, healer, musician and the creator of the
e-book called "Transform Your Nursing Career and Discover Your Calling
and Destiny." Click here to find out how to order the e-book:
http://www.nursingcareertransformation.com Check Out Kate's Blog:
http://www.nursehealers.typepad.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Sleep Programming CDs...I love this stuff and you will too

2011-09-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

Turbo-charge your confidence. Lose weight quickly. Rocket your relationships. Become a luckier person. Let go of stress. Be a super-positive thinker. Speed up your brain.

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Sleep Programming is officially more powerful than hypnosis. Most recently, it's been proven by San Diego University -- and it's used daily by the US Government to help train new military recruits.

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Sweet Dreams,

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Discover Bradley Thompson's Self Development Catalogue

2011-08-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

Discover Bradley Thompson's Self Development Catalogue

Antipsychotic Drug Does Not Help Veterans With PTSD - Mental Health Disorders on MedicineNet.com

2011-08-04T03:45:00.000-07:00

Antipsychotic Drug Does Not Help Veterans With PTSD - Mental Health Disorders on MedicineNet.com

Behind the Walls of the Mind

2011-07-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

How Can I Solve My Problem?The answer is "information" ...... and the information is here!

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Behind the Walls of the Mind

Behind the walls of the mind stands a very complex issue that is in constant study. We have people of all sorts, including mentally ill, so-called normal minds, geniuses and so forth. The mind has been known to play tricks on us, let us down, skip to another level and so forth. It seems with the battle between the brain and self there is never a winning ticket. The truth is the mind holds the key to all areas of your body, but the central nervous system is the channel to the brain. In most instances if the brain is affected is a direct result of the central nervous system and spinal column. If the spinal column is out of line or injured then it will affect the nervous system, which works its way toward the brain. Once the brain is hit, the troubles begin and often do not quite until someone finds out the source of the problem. There are many people today suffering from head injuries, disorders, cognitive disorders, diseases of the mind, and so on. The problems increase as the years go by. In my research, studies, case studies, and so forth I found that people that visited Chiropractors were often healthier than those that did not. When a doctor focuses on the spine, which is a direct link to the brain, results often occur.
Scientists are often searching for solutions to understand the different mental illnesses, diseases and physical impairments. They often run in every direction and sometimes the answer is lying in front of them. The problem is everyone has opinions, theories, and guesses and many of them are ignoring the voices that call out with expertise and experience. Recently there were major controversial issues regarding Medicaid and Chiropractor services. For a short time, the Chiropractors were not qualified to take Medicaid Patients, yet many doctors has treated some of the same people and found no answer to fix the many problems. While most people believe that Chiropractors work only with the physical portion of the body, they fail to see that these experts also work with the minds everyday. Let’s examine ADHD/ADD patients. In most instances, a part of the nervous system, spine and brain is the leading cause of the symptoms of this diagnose. Most mental health experts will offer the patients drugs, which only covers the symptoms and is often causing other problems including, psychosis, and schizophrenia symptoms. The MIND…Now if these people were treating the mind without drugs, and using natural herbs and spinal practices, what would happen? First, there would be no schizophrenia and psychosis induced patients or at least it would be minimal. Let’s look at Bipolar. The patient is often suffering as a direct result of Chemical Imbalances and most mental health experts will place the patient on antidepressants, which leads to strokes, heart problems, early-induced changes of life and so forth. If a specialist that knows the spine, nervous system and the brain treated the patients, what would happen? I personally know a woman diagnosed with Bipolar and she has sought out Chiropractic support and is doing great overall, with the exception of her bad habits that she has illustrated for more than 20 years. On the other hand, I know another bipolar patient that had no Chiropractic services and she is a woman you want to stay clear of. She called me 18 times per day, threatened to commit suicide, and drove me absolutely nuts. I am still in recovery. Personally, I went to psychologist, psychiatrists, therapists and doctors complaining of symptoms that they thought were linked to mental illness. After visiting a Chiropractor, the symptoms decreased and I was able to cope. Now, I am not promoting anything here, but to understand the mind you must consider the spine, central nervous system, brain and many other factors before coming to any conclusions. Some counselors will diagnose you as soon as you walk in the door; this is a bad deal since many often play against a life in order to find an answer. Once the professional sees that there diagnose is off balance, they often move onto another diagnose and unfortunately this goes on and on, and too many times patients suffer at great lengths as a result.

The Ultimate Stress Relief Library

2011-07-07T02:34:00.000-07:00

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Everyone deals with stress on a daily basis. From the moment we wake up in the morning, to the moment we fall asleep, there are stressful situations all around us: morning traffic, annoying co-workers, overload at work, family problems, rebellious children, bank statements, deflating checking accounts, and on and on.
With the shape the economy is in, there seems to be added stress to almost everyone’s lives these days. Wouldn’t it be great if someone would just figure out a way to block out all stress from our lives? Can you imagine a picture perfect say where you didn’t have a care in the world?...a day where the muscles in your shoulders weren’t tight and sore...where you didn’t constantly feel a headache building up at the outskirts of your skull.
Well believe it or not, with a little training and practice, you can learn to live like this. The term “don’t sweat the small stuff” has been terribly abused over the years, but it IS good advice to consider. People tend to let the small things pile up on them until they are drowning in hundreds of small stressful things. If we can simply learn to not get irritated by every little thing that doesn’t please us 100% our lives would be so much easier.
And that’s just one thing we can do to de-stress our lives. Some people are so desperate to unwind and drop the stress from their lives that they hire expensive counsellors and experts to help them “find happiness” or “find peace” in their lives. Hey, if you want to go that New Age route and drop a lot of cash, feel free.
But there IS another way. If you are sick and tired of being stressed out about every single thing on a daily basis, you should check out some of the products on this page. While they won’t reveal a magic switch that will make all stress instantly disappear, they WILL teach you some very valuable and basic principles that ANYONE can understand.
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Veterans’ Suicide Try an Ominous Warning Sign

2011-07-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

Home » News » Work and Career News » Veterans’ Suicide Try an Ominous Warning Sign

Veterans’ Suicide Try an Ominous Warning Sign

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

A new study investigates the troubling fact that American veterans who repeatedly attempt suicide suffer significantly greater mortality rates than the general population.
The transition back into civilian life is difficult after weathering the stresses of military life and the terrors of combat. Some soldiers find themselves overwhelmed by the transition. Many have already survived one suicide attempt, but never get the extra help and support they needed, with tragic results.
Researchers discovered veterans who have attempted suicide not only have an elevated risk of further suicide attempts, but face mortality risks from all causes at a rate three times greater than the general population.
The study is the largest follow-up of suicide attempters in any group in the U.S., and is unique even among the relatively few studies on veteran suicide.
Douglas J. Wiebe, Ph.D., and fellow researchers studied the records of 10,163 veterans treated for a suicide attempt between 1993-1998. They discovered 1,836 died during the follow-up period through 2002, with heart disease, cancer, accidents, and suicide accounting for over 57 percent of those deaths.
Suicide, however, was the second-leading cause of death among the male veterans, and the leading cause among females, accounting for just over 13 percent of all the deaths in the study cohort.
In comparison, suicide accounted for only 1.8 percent of deaths in the general U.S. population during those years.
Researchers found that the so-called “healthy soldier effect” — that military personnel should be healthier than an average person of the same sex and age because they have passed military fitness requirements — does not protect veterans from death from chronic disease, and does not appear to mitigate their risk of suicide.
“The ‘healthy soldier effect’ is no reason to think that veterans should be more emotionally and mentally resilient than anyone else,” said Wiebe.
“The consequences of military service can include both physical and emotional health challenges that veterans continue to face long after their ‘war’ is no longer on the front page.”
The current study strongly emphasizes the increased need for more intensive and vigorous efforts to identify and support veterans who are at risk, especially those who have already actually attempted suicide, the authors said.
With military personnel now facing combat in numbers not seen since the Vietnam War, developing better strategies for suicide prevention is more important than ever.
“Almost all of today’s soldiers are seeing combat and repeated tours, so that could be a reason to be even more concerned about veteran populations in the years moving forward,” Wiebe says.
Wiebe believes policymakers and society in general need to be informed on this problem, but he is hopeful that examples of successful suicide prevention programs, particularly one conducted by the U.S. Air Force, could provide an inspiration and foundation for new efforts.
“A major part of the success of that program was just changing the climate around how people think and talk about suicide,” he says. “There’s evidence out there to suggest that could work among veterans too. The time to get started is now.”
Source: University of Pennsylvania

How Can I Solve My Problem? The answer is "information" ... ... and the information is here!

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