Dreams are puzzling and cause us to question their root cause — especially when they’re violent and they keep us up at night. As it turns out, there are several common causes of violent dreams, one being the fear of violence. Another common source of violent dreams is your thinking…
New research finds that people with PTSD who do not receive treatment have a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. This research also finds that veterans diagnosed with PTSD (who are more likely to receive treatment for PTSD compared with the general population) have a reduced risk of…
As September 11 approaches, many Americans brace for impact. After 20 years, we have come to expect the grief, the sadness, the fear, the anger. Or, even an overwhelm of all of these emotions at once.Read: Grief Counseling 101 For some—especially those who lost loved ones on this fateful day—it…
New research suggests that MDMA (ecstasy) could improve trust and enhance the bond between patient and therapist, thereby enhancing treatment for PTSD. The team experimented with mice: They analyzed the effects of a low dose of MDMA versus saline solution and found that MDMA led to the mice being more…
In many cases, a mental illness goes undiagnosed, due to an individual’s failure or hesitance to seek treatment, as well as misdiagnosis from a mental health provider. There are three mental health conditions in specific that often of undiagnosed: bipolar disorder, post-traumatic disorder, and borderline personality disorder. When it comes…
Any kind of abuse—whether it be physical, emotional, mental, sexual, etc.—can lead to PTSD, as abuse is a highly emotionally distressing experience. The overactivation of stress hormones causes the victim of abuse to experience a fight, flight or freeze response, which makes it near impossible for the individual to focus…
College students face severe mental health challenges, which threaten to wreak havoc on their studies as well as their overall wellbeing. It’s important to keep a watchful eye on the college goers in your life, specifically if they exhibit harmful symptoms of a mental illness like anxiety or depression. In…
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a crippling disease that can have negative effects on one’s relationships. Triggers may cause the affected individual to lash out at loved ones. Avoidance symptoms may cause one to dissociate and neglect relationships. Hypervigilance can lead to sleep and concentration problems, which then can negatively affect…
Anybody who has been exposed to a traumatic experience in some capacity can develop PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person, but affected individuals typically experience hypervigilance, mood changes, and loss of concentration. PTSD can improve or worsen, depending on how severe the disorder is and how…
It’s important we understand and raise awareness for harmful mental illnesses like PTSD. Though the disorder can vary from person-to-person, common symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and hypervigilance. Letting our loved ones with PTSD know we are there for them can go a long way in their recovery journey. We…
PTSD can be divided into four phases: the impact phase, the rescue phase, the intermediate recovery phase, and the long-term reconstruction phase. The impact phase encompasses initial reactions such as shock, fear, and guilt. In the rescue phase, the affected individual begins to come to terms with what has happened….
As with many conversations surrounding mental health, there are a few common misconceptions when it comes to understanding the course and development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental illness that many suffer with after experiencing a traumatic event. Dr. Joe Bates, brain expert and double board certified psychiatrist, has…