It is entirely natural to experience a range of emotions after a traumatic event. Most people recover from these initial reactions and feelings within a few weeks. However, if you have ongoing problems, there could be something else going on, like PTSD. PTSD isn’t talked about enough. Not many people...

An abusive relationship can absolutely lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). To understand why this is, it is first important to understand what trauma does to the brain and how it can impact one’s mental and physical wellbeing. Understanding Relationship PTSD and Its Impact Trauma can be defined as...

People who have gone through traumatic events may experience some mental and emotional disturbances. They may not be able to perceive things positively and live life as they did before. There might be flashbacks, anxieties, and fears that may continue to affect their ability to function daily, which are common...

“Little did I know that in these dark moments of early motherhood, I wasn’t simply reacting to the stress-inducing challenges of being a new mom. I was also unexpectedly dealing with a series of present-moment triggers that were causing me to relive the excruciating traumas of my youth.”  Lindsay’s daughter,...

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...

September 11, 2001 was a tragic day in American history. When the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon happened, it shook the whole country. It was even worse for those who were there to witness it in person. Innocent bystanders, employees just trying to get to...

According to a new study “Distinct neural mechanisms for the prosocial and rewarding properties of MDMA,” published in Science Translational Medicine, MDMA (ecstasy) could improve trust between patient and therapist, thereby enhancing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine differentiated two molecular pathways, one responsible...

PTSD and anxiety: Does one cause the other? This question popped up recently when I was speaking with someone who has severe panic attacks, which are “debilitating” and require inpatient care.  As this individual was sharing about their experiences, they told me that when they think about how much time...

Most of us are familiar with the term PTSD (or posttraumatic stress disorder), but our knowledge doesn’t extend much further. We know that it can involve frightening flashbacks and nightmares. We know that war veterans and assault victims are at a heightened risk of developing the illness. But many of...

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essentially characterized by the development of certain symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event. The appearance of PTSD varies among different individuals: some mainly experience fear-based emotional and behavioral symptoms, while others enter dysphoric mood...

Q&A Q: Can hallucinations occur as a symptom of PTSD? A: Yes, hallucination can occur as a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)! For example, one documented case of such a situation was with a a client who had olfactory hallucinations; she would smell the body odor of the man...

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an unexpected response to a significant trauma. While the effects of PTSD can be disabling for those with the disorder, suicide is still an uncommon result of PTSD. There are several risk factors for suicide. PTSD has a major correlation to suicide if the sufferer...