Up To 70% Of Americans May Suffer From PTSD

Typically when we think of people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (aka PTSD), we think of someone who’s served overseas or endured some type of natural disaster. But that is not always the case. PTSD can emerge among people who were abused, harassed at the workplace or forced to encounter any type of difficult situation. In fact, according to new research from Psychology Today, up to 70 percent of U.S. citizens are dealing with this condition right now.

The data, which came from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), revealed some other interesting facts as well. Apparently, PTSD is more than two times higher among women than men. It also is associated with increased suicide rates. Most surprising of all, the estimated costs resulting from trauma total over $40 billion each year.

So how does this study (and the psychological community at large) define PTSD? Basically if you were exposed to any type of traumatic event, short-lived or long lasting, you are candidate for this disorder. It can rear its head immediately following the incident or years later, after being buried in the subconscious. Psychology Today writer Grant Hilary Brenner M.D. listed the most obvious warning signs.

“What PTSD does, is make the victim relive and re-experience the trauma,” he wrote. “Symptoms can include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, negative changes in emotions and thinking. There are also dissociative symptoms, such as detachment or emotional numbing; avoidance of reminders and thoughts of trauma, which may severely limit one’s choices or keep one from leaving the home. Hyperarousal symptoms can occur as well, which include anxiety, edginess, fear rage and generally being on high alert at all time.”

Dr. Brenner’s article delves into some interesting scientific findings as well; particularly the ways that PTSD impacts the brain. NIMH’s study compared people who have dealt with trauma against those who have not. What they discovered was that certain areas of the brain appeared to behave differently among those suffering with the disorder. Regions like the hippocampus (which deals with memory), the amygdala (the emotional center) and the cingulate cortex (thought processing) were called out within the PTSD group.

Thankfully, this type of research is becoming more common and the conversations are beginning to reach more people (thanks to sites like Psychology Today).  We are firm believers in seeking out professional help for any and all traumas you may have experienced. The most important thing is to not bury away difficult feelings. Address them and work on releasing the pain.

Dealing With Sudden Loss

Amid the tragedies devastating California, an important topic comes to mind. It is not one that is easy to discuss, but nevertheless important; particularly if it is happening to you or someone you are close to. We are talking about Sudden Grief; as in the unexpected loss of a loved one and the extreme reactions that tend to follow.

Two cases that come to mind are the tragic Borderline shooting in Thousand Oaks and the Woolsey Fire that has been wreaking havoc in Malibu. In both instances multiple lives were lost, creating a ripple grief effect for thousands of Californians.

CNN covered this topic not too long ago (sadly because of the increase of mass shootings), pointing out that the loved ones of murder or accident victims tend to have suicidal thoughts themselves. Self-destructiveness is another common trait, which can lead to drug or alcohol abuse in the wake of a tragedy.

The key here, especially when a close person dies in a violent way, is acknowledging the trauma that tends to accompany the grief. That, in itself, creates an entirely different mourning process than you would experience if it was a slower, expected death.

“The people who go through this, they’re not just dealing with loss. They’re also dealing with personal traumatization,” clinical psychologist Therese Rando told the site. “It affects the ability to get on with grief and mourning, to bend your mind around what has transpired. There is no warning, no time to prepare and gradually start to take on the notion.”
The typical “five stages of grief” (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance) also get thrown out of the window in these situations, replaced by emotions like shock and anxiety. Coping with these feelings is no easy task and professional support is always recommended during these difficult times.
Interestingly enough, destinations like message boards and Reddit have become helpful coping mechanisms during times of sudden loss. Working as support groups do (which we also recommend), these types of outlets allow you get in touch with others who may have gone through similar experiences. Back when 9/11 occurred, for example, entire Facebook Groups were created as a destination for loved ones of those lost to unite.
We at Inneractions are also readily available if you’re having a tough time coping with these recent California events. As CNN’s piece emphasized, the important thing to acknowledge is that you’re not alone and things can be better.

Learning To ‘Rise’ Above Trauma

With so much violence and division in the world today, it is not surprising to hear that traumatic experiences are on the uptick. In fact, the subject has become so top-of-mind that the CNN network Headline News has begun promoting a new empowering trauma docuseries called Rise.

Produced and starring life coach Cheryl Hunter, it profiles one person per episode and delves into traumatic events that have shattered their lives. The good news (as the title insinuates) is that these individuals were able to “rise” above their challenges and are helping others do the same. Hunter, herself, is a trauma survivor, having endured both a kidnapping and a rape at the hands of a stranger.

Hunter was recently interviewed for Forbes, where she delved into the current climate and why trauma counseling is so important in the modern era.

“Unfortunately, the state of the world today routinely includes shootings at schools and places of worship, natural disasters and terrorist threats,” Hunter told the site. “People reach out to me regularly asking how those closely impacted by recent tragedies make it through and how we all can make it through our own deeply trying times, collectively. That’s a good question. What we’re seeing today, I think, is a cumulative awakening to the fact that we are all in this together. It may not look that way at first glance; in fact, many insist that we’re more polarized than we’ve ever been. I don’t see it that way. I’m witnessing a groundswell of people speaking up and giving voice to their pain. I’m witnessing people listening to different points of view than their own because there are too many people speaking up to be ignored any longer.”

Hunter’s website offers all 12 episodes in their entirety. Real people are sharing their stories about overcoming violence, paralysis, kidnaps and much more. You can watch a glimpse below in the official Rise trailer.

We too understand how ravaging a traumatic experience can be and applaud Cheryl for using channels like YouTube and CNN to help offer support to survivors. Let it be known, though, that PTSD is not just an outcome of a violent attack. Abusive relationships and workplace ordeals can just as easily lead to these emotions.

We encourage anyone struggling with a difficult emotional hurdle to reach out. Support is always available.

Acknowledging Trauma Anniversaries

This month marks the 17th anniversary of one of the most traumatic events in American history. For those who were directly impacted by the Twin Towers terrorist attacks, every September 11th can bring a multitude of painful emotions. And often times, the anticipation of such a date can be just as difficult. The website Bustle made a point to acknowledge that this week, with helpful tips on how to prepare for a trauma anniversary.

Mountainside Treatment Center clinician Devon Hawes was interviewed for the article and shared some of the general reasons why calendar dates can create so much stress.

 

“A trauma anniversary, or anniversary reaction, is the recurrence of emotional and or physical distress experienced around the time of a past traumatic event or experience,” he explained on the site. “It can reactivate thoughts and feelings from the actual traumatic event.”

Issues that tend to come up during an anniversary for something like 9/11 can include flashbacks, PTSD shakes, disrupted sleep, intrusive thoughts, anger, loss of appetite and severe depression (just to name a few). So what can be done to prevent these feelings from occurring year after year after year?

Brooks McKenzie, another wellness specialist interviewed for the piece, listed some easy exercises.

“Having a schedule and a discipline on these anniversaries helps us to better manage our emotional and spiritual states,” she emphasized. “It is important to honor the process of healing and mindfulness on an anniversary. Utilizing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, breathing techniques, and repeating empowering affirmations can make an anniversary feel a little more manageable.”

Other recommendations include taking the allotted anniversary date off from work or school. If the traumatic event was a shared experience among others who you know, reaching out and discussing it openly can help create a healing effect. If it was deeply personal (perhaps a violent crime or a painful accident), it is recommended to reach out to friends or family members who can “watch out for you” and keep you safe during a vulnerable time.

For many, the passage of time can help ease the pain of a traumatic event. As more years go by, hopefully the deep emotional scars will continue to heal. But if pain is still looming and an upsetting anniversary is approaching this season, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional support. We have trained therapists and counselors standing by.

Can Heavy Stress Hurt Your Immune System?

If you haven’t had the chance to follow the blogs of WebMD, we highly recommend doing so. The famed medical site has a ton of helpful information related to health and wellness. One recent topic that they covered seemed extra poignant to us, primarily because it is something that we have seen firsthand.  According to their scientific data, intense stress can increase a person’s odds of developing an autoimmune disease.

Using research that included over 100,000 case studies, doctors from the site determined that people who face stress on a daily basis have a 35 percent greater risk of contracting issues like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease than those who do not. Even more interesting, was the fact that the likelihood increases among women, particularly those who are African-American, Hispanic or Native-American.

“Patients suffering from severe life stressors should seek medical treatment due to the risk of chronicity of these symptoms and thereby further health decline, such as the increased risk of autoimmune disease,” lead researcher Dr. Huan Song wrote on the site. “This study adds to the evidence of the link between stress conditions and physical well-being, warranting further attention to the reduction of trauma and other causes of stress conditions, as well as improving treatment of these conditions.”

Indeed, trauma was brought up as a major trigger point as well. The research concluded that there was still no definitive reason as to why they increase the immune system risks, but there are several theories. One has to do with the fact that people dealing with these conditions tend to sleep less, which can have physical repercussions on the body. There are also strong associations between stress and substance abuse, which has been proven to do damage to people’s nervous systems.

The good news is, Dr. Song and others believe that these traits can be reversible. The key factor, though, is treatment. Examples used were support groups, certain anti-depressants (particularly for people dealing with PTSD) and ongoing therapy to cope with life’s stressors.

“There are now several treatments, both medications and cognitive behavioral approaches, with documented effectiveness,” she concluded. “It is notable that when people received effective treatment, their risk for autoimmune disorders was lessened.”

At inneractions, we too believe that treatment is essential to reduce theses risks. We offer Stress Management sessions at our facility and welcome anyone impacted by trauma or severe life challenges to reach out and get the help they deserve.