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Practicing and Learning New Coping Skills

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:45:33 +0000

If you have PTSD, then you likely experience frequent and intense anxiety and stress. Fortunately, there are a number of healthy coping skills that work incredibly well in managing anxiety when it occurs. For example, diaphragmatic breathing...

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Risk Factors for Anger among OEF/OIF Veterans

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:51:06 +0000

Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (OEF/OIF) have been found to be at high risk for the development of a number of mental health problems. Of those problems, anger in veterans of these wars has been frequently observed. In addition, it appears as though veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be particularly at risk for developing anger problems. A recent study examined potential risk factors for anger problems among OEF/OIF veterans. You can read more about this study here.

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Increasing Your Self-Compassion When You Have PTSD

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:26:49 +0000

Many people with a PTSD are not very compassionate towards themselves. The symptoms of PTSD can be very intense and can disrupt many areas of a person's life. As a result, people with PTSD may start to experience feelings of guilt or shame, have negative thoughts about themselves, or feel worthless or like a failure. They may feel as though they aren't trying hard enough or that there is something wrong with who they are as a person because they can't "get over" their PTSD symptoms.

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Is Group Therapy for PTSD Right For You?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:49:07 +0000

There are a number of treatments for PTSD that are supported by research. That is, studies have shown that they are successful in reducing PTSD symptoms by a significant amount. Most of these treatments (such as prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy) are delivered one-on-one. However, some places may offer these treatments in a group format. So, is this something that you should pursue?

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PTSD and Smoking

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:31:31 +0000

It has been estimated that approximately 21% of adults in the United States (about 45 million people) currently smoke, and cigarette smoking is considered the leading preventable cause of death and disability in the United States. Approximately a third of all deaths from cancer in the United States each year (about 160,390) are the direct result of tobacco use. Without a doubt, smoking is a major health problem.

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Making Positive Changes in the New Year When You Have PTSD

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:10:47 +0000

PTSD and New Year resolutions might seem like a strange combination, but the New Year is a time when people often commit to making positive changes in their lives. This may be particularly important for the person with PTSD, especially given that it is often associated with a number of unhealthy and problematic behaviors. If you have PTSD, you may want to consider the following possible New Year resolutions in this article.

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Coping with the Stress of the Holidays When You Have PTSD

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:03:57 +0000

Holidays are usually a time when family and friends get together to share a special time with each other. However, there are many other events that have become associated with the holidays that may not be as pleasant -- such as going shopping, spending money, preparing large meals, and attending multiple social gatherings. These experiences can be stressful, and if you have PTSD, these experiences may be very stressful. Certain events and situations surrounding the holidays (for example, large crowds) can trigger PTSD symptoms. Given that many of these situations can't be avoided, it is very important to learn healthy ways of coping with these situations. This article presents some coping strategies that may help you get through the holiday season if you have PTSD.

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Virginia Tech Shooting

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:50:20 +0000

Yesterday, December 9, 2011, another shooting incident occurred at Virginia Tech. During a routine traffic stop, a Virginia Tech police officer was shot by someone who approached his car. The suspect ran from the area and later took his own life. Authorities are still trying to piece together exactly what happened and why. You can read more about this event at CNN.com.

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PTSD and Asthma in Children

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:02:11 +0000

When we think of the effects of trauma (including PTSD), we primarily focus our attention on adults. However, children can be exposed to a number of stressful or traumatic events that may lead to a diagnosis of PTSD or some other disorder, such as major depression. One type of traumatic event is the experience of a life-threatening illness, such as an acute asthma attack. Asthma is one of the most common childhood chronic illnesses, and it can have a tremendous negative impact on a child's life and may even result in death. In fact, asthma accounts for one-fourth of all emergency room visits in the United States per year and is the third ranking cause of hospitalization for children. Further, there are more than 4,000 deaths each year that can be attributed to asthma, and asthma can be considered a contributing factor for an additional 7,000 deaths per year.

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Coping with the Stress of Holiday Shopping

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:36:23 +0000

After Thanksgiving, many people rush to the stores in order to get deals for holiday gifts, resulting in huge crowds. Shopping during this time can be stressful for someone without PTSD, and for those with PTSD, this time of year can cause a tremendous amount of emotional distress. Such distress may lead people with PTSD to isolate or avoid certain places. However, there are times in which holiday crowds cannot be avoided. During these times, a person with PTSD may notice a rise in their hyperarousal symptoms. They may feel trapped or unsafe. Fortunately, there are things you can do to cope. Basic coping strategies for managing PTSD symptoms may help. In addition, there are specific strategies for coping with large crowds during the holiday.