Tag Archives: PTSD

How Subtle Trauma Can Secretly Rule Our Lives

Even the smallest childhood traumas can strongly influence our adult lives. We tend to think of early trauma as violence, sexual abuse, neglect and loss, or as something caused by major catastrophes, crimes or accidents. There are many different levels of overt trauma, but there is also a kind of trauma that is so subtle […]

Army Launches Probe Into Substance Abuse Treatment Scandal

In response to a recent story detailing serious quality-control problems at Army substance abuse treatment centers, U.S. Army leadership is taking decisive action. Secretary John McHugh and Chief of Staff Ray Odierno have ordered the Army Inspector General’s office to open an investigation into this developing scandal, giving it free and open access to records […]

VA Sued for Discriminating Against Survivors of Sexual Trauma

Two veterans’ advocacy groups are suing the U.S. Veterans Administration, claiming the organization discriminates against former service personnel with medical problems related to sexual assault or harassment. According to representatives from the Service Women’s Action Network and the Vietnam Veterans of America, when veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by sexual trauma come […]

New Study Links Sleep Disorders to Dementia

New findings presented at the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference revealed a link between disturbed sleep and dementia. The results came from a team of researchers at UC San Francisco. Led by principal investigator Kristine Yaffe, M.D., the UC San Francisco team examined the medical records of 192,266 Armed Forces veterans over the age of […]

International Experts on Trauma, Addiction to Speak at Elements Behavioral Health Symposia

Elements Behavioral Health is hosting a series of symposia exploring the relationship of early complex trauma to intimacy, eating disorders and addiction on July 18 in Philadelphia, Penn., on July 25 in Columbus, Ohio, and on Aug. 15 in San Mateo, Calif. The panel includes Dr. Pamela Peeke, a physician, nutrition scientist and New York […]

Homeless Veteran’s Makeover Leaves Addiction Intact

Fifteen million people have watched the video makeover of Jim Wolf, from scruffy homeless veteran to well-groomed man in a suit. In 2 minutes and 50 seconds, a time-lapse transformation emerges of a fashionably bearded man ready for work. Wolf felt grateful, his sister said, for the global attention that drew atta-boys and job offers; […]

Female Combat Vets at Higher Risk for Mental Disorders, Study Finds

Military service is honorable, but it can also be damaging. Many vets come home from battle with serious physical scars. They also return with mental and emotional scars. For a long time, the mental health status among veterans was not much discussed, and only minimally studied. Today, the vets returning from Afghanistan and Iraq are […]

Predictors of PTSD

Detecting Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in its early stages is crucial in getting the proper diagnosis and treatment. Researchers are continually researching the predictors of PTSD in order to help victims as soon as possible.

Is There a Connection Between PTSD and Violent Behavior?

Numerous studies show that repeat deployments are a risk factor for post traumatic stress disorder among war veterans. PTSD and traumatic brain injuries can affect a person’s self control and even increase anger or hostility but the connection between PTSD and violent behavior does not appear to be strong, according to a recent news article.

Why Is There a Stigma Associated with Mental Health?

The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his/her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and can make a contribution to his/her community." Healthy functionality for less than perfect people is what it boils down to.

Coping with Thinking Errors: Relapse Prevention Planning for PTSD and Substance Abuse

Trauma symptoms (PTSD) and substance problems often go hand in hand for many people and constitute a dual diagnosis or co-occurring treatment and recovery need. Symptoms of PTSD and of Substance Disorders occur in thoughts, feelings, nightmares, physiological symptoms, behaviors and sensory perceptions. People in recovery from Substance Disorders and co-occurring trauma can have an increase in […]

EMDR and PTSD

A recent clinical trial found that, six months after treatment, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression who had received eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) had fewer symptoms than patients treated with Prozac. When undergoing EMDR, the patient is usually asked to focus on the clinician’s finger or blinking lights for several minutes […]

High Rates of Substance Abuse Among Veterans with Mental Health Disorders

Previous studies have found high rates of substance abuse among U.S. veterans, and a new study finds the same among U.S. veterans with mental health disorders. The study, led by Dr. Ismene Petrakis of the Yale University School of Medicine, could be helpful in understanding the needs of veterans of different eras, and in targeting […]

Veterans with PTSD at Greater Risk of Dementia

This year, the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and other federal health agencies have reported of evidenced-based research demonstrating a common link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans and later-life dementia. With 6–11% of Afghanistan veterans and 12–20% of Iraq veterans returning to the U.S. with PTSD, the VA has been investigating these […]

How to Help a Loved One Overcome Trauma

Traumatic events occur every day to untold numbers of people. But no matter how widespread the trauma, what it comes right down to is how trauma affects the individual. Trauma could be the result of a natural disaster, terrorism, mass violence, or it could be closer to home and involve domestic violence or sexual abuse, […]

Anger and Aggressiveness Linked to Specific PTSD Symptoms in Veterans

A new study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, Department of Veteran Affairs, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine reveals that focusing on particular symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may help health officials better treat anger and aggression issues among veterans returning home from the Afghanistan […]

Childhood Cancer Survivors More Likely to Develop PTSD

Young adult survivors of childhood cancers are four times more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) than their control group siblings, a Childhood Cancer Survivors Study has found. The study focused on 6,542 childhood cancer survivors over 18 who were diagnosed with cancer between 1970 and 1986 and 368 of their siblings as a […]

Process Identified for Diagnosing PTSD

The first step toward treating those with post-traumatic stress disorder is successfully identifying the problem. According to a post in the Science Daily, researchers at the University of Minnesota VA Medical Center have identified a biological marker in the brains of those who exhibit PTSD. The study findings are published January 20 in the Journal […]