Improving your health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements. Here are 10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine.
1. Enjoy De-Stressing
Senior older elderly modern woman rides a bicycle in a city park in the forest. Active pensioner, health lifestyle S
Stress is like that annoying friend who shows up uninvited and overstays their welcome. But don’t worry, you can kick stress out! Regularly practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even playing with your pet can help reduce stress. Stress is linked to numerous health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure, so taking time to unwind is not just a luxury it’s a necessity for your well-being. Even if you only have 10 minutes, use that time wisely. Read a chapter of a book, take a walk, or simply close your eyes and breathe deeply. Trust me, your body will thank you later!
2. Put Away the Salt
Salt is sneaky it makes food taste great but can wreak havoc on your health if consumed in excess. High salt intake is directly linked to high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, here’s a simple tip: hide the salt shaker! Instead, reach for herbs, spices, or even a splash of lemon juice to flavor your meals. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get used to the natural flavors of food without all that added sodium. Plus, your heart will be doing a happy dance!
3. Get to Bed Earlier
Sleep is like charging your phone except you’re the phone! If you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re running on low battery all day. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night for optimal health. Lack of sleep can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Start by going to bed just 15 minutes earlier each night until you hit that sweet spot of 7-9 hours. Stick to a regular sleep schedule even on weekends and soon you’ll feel more energized and less cranky.
4. Have a Glass of Red Wine
Yes, you read that right! Moderate consumption of red wine has been shown to offer some health benefits due to its antioxidants. These antioxidants may protect against heart disease and even reduce anxiety and depression. But remember moderation is key! One glass for women and two for men is the recommended daily limit. Overindulgence can lead to liver problems and other health issues, so keep it classy with just one glass.
5. Check Your Posture and Ergonomics
Slouching at your desk? Guilty as charged! Poor posture can lead to back pain and other issues over time. Take a moment right now yes, right now to sit up straight! Tuck in your stomach, uncross those legs, and plant your feet flat on the ground. If you work at a desk all day, check your workstation’s ergonomics too. Small adjustments like repositioning your monitor or using a chair with lumbar support can make a world of difference in preventing back pain and other discomforts.
6. Do a Crossword Puzzle
Keeping your brain sharp is just as important as keeping your body fit! Mentally challenging activities like crossword puzzles or Sudoku help keep your brain engaged and may even lower the risk of dementia. Not into puzzles? No problem! Try learning something new or taking up a hobby that challenges you mentally. Even switching up simple routines like brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand can give your brain the workout it needs.
7. Weigh In
Maintaining a healthy weight isn’t just about looking good it’s about feeling good too! Carrying extra weight increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. For women, it also raises the risk of pelvic floor disorders. Regularly checking in on your weight helps keep things in check before they get out of hand. And remember: slow and steady wins the race when it comes to weight loss!
8. Make Dietary Substitutions
You don’t have to overhaul your entire diet overnight just make small swaps! Switch white bread for whole grain options or replace sugary drinks with water. These little changes add up over time without making you feel deprived. Snack smarter by reaching for nuts or fruits instead of chips or candy bars. And don’t forget those veggies they’re packed with fiber and water to keep you full without piling on calories!
9. Take the Stairs
Skipping the elevator might seem like no big deal but it adds up! Taking the stairs gets your blood pumping and engages muscles that sitting all day neglects. If you’re aiming for 10,000 steps per day (and who isn’t these days?), every stair counts toward that goal! Plus, it’s an easy way to sneak in some cardio without hitting the gym.
10. Stretch It Out
Stretching isn’t just for athletes it’s for everyone! Regular stretching keeps muscles limber as you age and helps prevent injuries. Take stretch breaks throughout the day especially if you sit at a desk all day long or incorporate stretching into your bedtime routine to help relax before sleep. Bonus points if you try balance exercises like Tai Chi they reduce the risk of falls as we get older! By incorporating these 10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health into your daily routine, you’ll be well on your way to feeling better both physically and mentally!
Hey there, fellow body-owners! Ever wondered what is physiotherapy all about? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to take a wild ride through the wonderful world of movement, muscles, and maybe a little bit of magic (okay, not really magic, but it sure feels like it sometimes!). Physiotherapy is like having a personal trainer, pain reliever, and cheerleader all rolled into one. It’s the superhero of the medical world, swooping in to save you from the villainous clutches of pain, stiffness, and that annoying creaky sound your knee makes when you stand up. But what is physiotherapy, really? Let’s break it down!
The Wizards of Movement: Who Are Physiotherapists?
Imagine a group of people who are obsessed with how you move. No, they’re not stalkers they’re physiotherapists! These movement maestros are the Sherlock Holmes of the body world, investigating every ache, pain, and wobble to figure out what’s going on with your magnificent machine (that’s your body, in case you were wondering).Physiotherapists are like body detectives. They’ll ask you questions about your lifestyle, examine your joints like they’re precious jewels, and assess your muscle strength (no, they won’t make you arm wrestle… usually). All this sleuthing helps them create a tailored plan to get you moving and grooving again. But what is physiotherapy if not a team sport? Your physiotherapist is just one player in your health dream team. They work alongside other healthcare pros to ensure you’re living your best, most active life. Think of them as the cool aunt or uncle of the medical world – they’re there to support you, but they also want you to have fun and stay active!
The Magic of Movement: How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Now that we’ve covered what is physiotherapy, let’s talk about how it can turn you into a superhero (cape not included, sorry). Physiotherapy is all about keeping you active, even when your body feels more like a rusty robot than a well-oiled machine. Here’s the deal: many people think that when something hurts, they should just sit still and wait for it to get better. But guess what? Your joints are like that friend who always wants to go out they’re designed to move! Sitting around actually weakens your muscles, which is about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. Physiotherapy helps you find that sweet spot between rest and activity. Your physiotherapist will create a program tailored just for you, like a bespoke suit but for your muscles. This might include:
General advice on how to be more active (no, scrolling through social media doesn’t count as exercise)
Tips on how to avoid injuries (because let’s face it, the floor isn’t getting any softer)
Specific exercises to improve your strength, flexibility, and mobility (think of it as a gym membership, but with someone actually showing you what to do)
Aquatic therapy (aka splashing around in a warm pool and calling it exercise yes, please!)
Pain management techniques (because who doesn’t want to tell pain to take a hike?)
Mobility aids or splints (for when you need a little extra support we’ve all been there)
Remember, physiotherapy isn’t just about fixing problems it’s about preventing them too. Think of your physiotherapist as your body’s personal bodyguard, always on the lookout for potential troublemakers!
The Exercise Expedition: Graded Exercise Programs
Alright, adventurers, it’s time to talk about the heart of physiotherapy exercise! But before you run for the hills (actually, please don’t, your physiotherapist would not approve), let’s clarify something. When we say exercise in physiotherapy, we don’t mean running marathons or lifting cars (unless that’s your thing, in which case, go you!).Physiotherapy exercise programs are like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but for your body. Your physiotherapist will create a program that’s just right for you, starting gently and gradually increasing as you get stronger. It’s like leveling up in a video game, but instead of defeating bosses, you’re defeating stiffness and pain! Your physiotherapy exercise adventure might include:
Stretching exercises (because who doesn’t want to be as flexible as a rubber band?)
Strengthening exercises (building muscles like a superhero, one rep at a time)
General fitness exercises (because a healthy heart is a happy heart)
Proprioceptive exercises (fancy word alert! These improve your balance and coordination, so you can dance like nobody’s watching… or at least walk without tripping)
But wait, there’s more! Your physiotherapist might also recommend classes like yoga, t’ai chi, or Pilates. It’s like a buffet of body-moving options sample them all and find your favorites! And for those who prefer their exercise with a side of splashing, there’s aquatic therapy. It’s like a pool party, but with more health benefits and fewer inflatable flamingos. The warm water supports your weight, making it easier to move without straining yourself. Plus, you get to pretend you’re a mermaid (or merman) for a while win-win!
Pain, Pain, Go Away: Pain Relief Treatments in Physiotherapy
Let’s face it, pain is about as welcome as a porcupine in a balloon factory. But fear not! Physiotherapy has a whole toolkit of pain-busting techniques that work alongside your medications. It’s like having a secret weapon against pain, minus the cool spy gadgets (sorry, no exploding pens here). Your physiotherapist can teach you some DIY pain relief methods that you can use between appointments. It’s like being your own superhero sidekick! These might include:
Ice packs (for when your joints are hotter than a summer sidewalk)
Heat packs (to relax those muscles that are tighter than your jeans after Thanksgiving dinner)
Splints (like a hug for your painful joints)
TENS machines (tiny robots that mess with your pain signals how cool is that?)
But wait, there’s more! Some physiotherapists have special training in other pain-zapping techniques:
Massage or manipulation (like a spa day, but with more health benefits)
Acupuncture (turns out, being a human pincushion can actually feel pretty good)
Electrotherapy (sounds scary, feels amazing)
Steroid injections (for when your joint pain is being extra stubborn)
Remember, physiotherapy isn’t just about treating pain it’s about understanding it, managing it, and showing it who’s boss. It’s like being the director of your own pain-free movie!
The Future is Moving: Why Physiotherapy Matters
So, what is physiotherapy in the grand scheme of things? It’s your ticket to a more active, pain-free future. It’s the difference between watching life from the sidelines and being right in the middle of the action. It’s the reason why grandma can still bust a move at family weddings (go grandma!). Physiotherapy is constantly evolving, finding new ways to keep our bodies moving and grooving. Who knows? Maybe in the future, we’ll have physiotherapy robots (please let them have a good sense of humor) or virtual reality physiotherapy sessions (defeating pain monsters in a digital world, anyone?). But for now, physiotherapy remains a wonderfully human experience. It’s about working with someone who understands your body, your goals, and your terrible jokes about joints. It’s about learning to love movement again, even when your body feels more like a creaky old haunted house than a temple. So, the next time someone asks you “What is physiotherapy?“, you can tell them it’s like having a personal cheerleader for your body. It’s the reason why you can still touch your toes (or at least see them). It’s the secret to aging like fine wine instead of milk left out in the sun. Remember, your body is the only place you have to live. Physiotherapy is here to help you make it the most comfortable, functional, and fun place it can be. So go on, give your body the VIP treatment it deserves. Your future self (and your dance moves) will thank you!
Personality is what makes you, you. It defines who you are and how you see the world. Your personality helps determine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It affects your relationships, career choice, values, and more. Psychologists have proposed various theories to explain the different aspects of personality over the years. One of the most widely accepted and used is the five factor model, also known as the Big Five.
What Are the Big Five Personality Traits?
Openness
This trait reflects your creativity, curiosity, and preference for novelty and variety. People who are open to experience tend to have broad interests. They are imaginative, insightful, and curious. They seek out new experiences and intellectual pursuits. More closed individuals tend to be set in their ways and traditional.
Conscientiousness
This dimension measures your self-discipline, organization, and desire to achieve goals. Highly conscientious people are reliable, prompt, and thorough. They tend to be hard workers who are purposeful, determined, and have strong willpower. Those on the low end tend to be more laid back, impulsive, disorganized, and less goal-oriented.
Extraversion
Extraversion evaluates your comfort level with relationships and how you engage with others. Extroverts gain energy from social interaction. They’re outgoing, assertive, talkative, and enjoy large groups. Introverts tend to be more independent, reserved, and drained by too much social stimulation.
Agreeableness
This trait reflects your compassion and empathy for others. Highly agreeable people value getting along with others. They’re polite, kind, and avoid conflict. Those low in agreeableness are more competitive. They’re less concerned about cooperation or social harmony.
Neuroticism
Neuroticism measures your emotional stability and reactivity to stress. Emotionally stable people tend to be calm, secure, and optimistic. Those high in neuroticism often experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. They respond more poorly to stress.
How Are the Big Five Personality Traits Measured?
Researchers use self-report personality tests to measure the Big Five traits. Participants rate themselves on a series of statements designed to assess each dimension. Some examples include:
I am someone who is talkative (extraversion)
I am someone who worries a lot (neuroticism)
I am someone who does a thorough job (conscientiousness)
I am someone who is helpful and unselfish with others (agreeableness)
I am someone who is original, comes up with new ideas (openness)
Scores are calculated for each factor. Most people will score somewhere in the middle, with more extreme scores indicating stronger tendencies towards either pole of each dimension. Keep in mind your scores can change over time as you mature and life circumstances shift.
Where Did the Big Five Theory Come From?
In the 1930s, researchers analyzed dictionaries to identify commonly used traits describing personality. They identified nearly 18,000 words related to character and temperament. After refinement, they were left with a list of 171 traits.
In the 1970s, through factor analysis of questionnaires, researchers further narrowed this list to just five broad factors that accounted for most of the variation in people’s personalities. Extensive research has demonstrated these five traits are remarkably consistent across cultures, strongly rooted in genetics, and stable throughout life.
The five factor model has become one of the most well-established and widely accepted theories of personality. While other theories have been proposed, the Big Five captures the fundamental essence of individual differences in social and emotional life.
Breaking Down the 5 Traits
Let’s take a deeper dive into each of the Big Five personality dimensions. Understanding these core traits can provide insight into your own personality and relationships with others.
Openness to Experience
This trait reflects your inner life and intellectual curiosity. People high in openness have a strong need to learn and experience new things. They are imaginative, insightful, and curious. Open individuals are comfortable with change and novelty. They seek out unfamiliar experiences such as international travel, extreme foods, or abstract art. More closed individuals prefer familiar routines and dislike change. They may struggle with abstract thinking and ambiguity.
People high in openness tend to have a broad range of interests. They are often creative and appreciate the arts. Their thinking is flexible and they integrate ideas from a wide variety of sources. Openness is linked to divergent thinking, the ability to generate novel solutions to problems. This trait is associated with careers in academia, arts, and sciences. Low scorers prefer practical solutions over theoretical ones. They tend to have more conventional interests aligned with popular culture.
Openness is the only trait that consistently predicts political liberalism. Those high in openness are tolerant of differences and novelty. They are interested in travel, friends from diverse backgrounds, and experiencing other cultures. More closed individuals prefer their own cultural norms and familiar people and places.
Openness is influenced by genetics and early childhood environment. It tends to decline slightly with age. As you get older, you may become more set in your ways of thinking and doing things. But openness can increase if you challenge yourself intellectually by learning new skills or exposing yourself to different cultures and perspectives.
Conscientiousness
This dimension evaluates your self-control and ability to delay gratification. Highly conscientious people are organized, thoughtful, and goal-directed. They are responsible, thorough, and plan ahead. Conscientious individuals value structure, schedules, and reliability. They carefully consider their options before making decisions. They follow rules and keep their belongings neat and clean.
People low in conscientiousness are more spontaneous and easy-going. They may be perceived as unreliable or messy. They behave more impulsively and are less oriented towards the future. Goals and organization are less important to them than enjoying the moment.
Conscientiousness is the only major trait that uniformly predicts accomplishment and performance. High scorers achieve higher grades and job performance. They are more likely to excel in school and their careers. Their determination, self-control, and reliability allow them to succeed.
This trait influences career choices. Conscientious people gravitate towards jobs that satisfy their needs for organization and achievement. Common careers include accounting, teaching, engineering, nursing, and administration. Less conscientious types perform better in flexible work settings such as the arts, research, or sales.
Conscientiousness is linked to longevity. Highly conscientious people engage in more healthy behaviors such as exercise, good diets, regular doctor visits, and adherence to medical treatment. They are less likely to take unnecessary risks or behave recklessly. Conscientiousness tends to increase with age throughout adulthood.
Extraversion
This measures your comfort level with relationships. Extraverts gain energy and excitement from social situations. They’re outgoing, enthusiastic, and assertive. They seek out opportunities to engage with others, initiate conversations, and take the lead. Extraverts enjoy large groups and having many friends. Solitude quickly drains their energy.
Introverts are inward turning. Social interactions can overstimulate them. Introverts prefer one-on-one conversations to large gatherings. They listen more than talk and think before speaking. Given the choice, they pick solitary activities over groups. Crowds can easily overwhelm them. Introverts recharge through alone time.
Extraversion is linked to experiences of positive emotion. Extroverts report more joy on a daily basis compared to introverts. However, this does not mean introverts are unhappy. They simply have lower arousal thresholds and different social preferences.
Extraversion is partly rooted in biology. Extroverts may have more sensitive reward systems in their brains. Their sociability activates feelings of pleasure. Introverts have stronger negative brain reactivity to overstimulating social environments. They feel better with lower levels of arousal.
In Western cultures extroversion is valued over introversion. But both temperaments have unique strengths. Extraverts excel at working collaboratively, persuading, and inspiring others. Introverts listen well, think deeply, and work diligently on solo projects.
Extraversion is remarkably consistent over the lifespan. People tend to maintain their basic temperament as introverted or extroverted. However, you can stretch beyond your comfort zone when situations call for it. Introverts can practice being more outgoing. Extroverts benefit from solitary downtime.
Agreeableness
This dimension measures your level of friendliness and compassion. High scorers are empathetic, kind, and affectionate. They value getting along with others. Agreeable people avoid conflict to maintain positive relationships. They are loyal and forgiving of others’ mistakes.
Low scorers are more competitive. They are tough-minded and tend to challenge others. Arguments don’t bother them as their priority is themselves rather than keeping the peace. Less agreeable people can make difficult decisions without getting caught up in others’ feelings.
Agreeableness affects your interpersonal style. Highly agreeable people avoid controversy. They cooperate and compromise to keep things harmonious. Low scorers are more confrontational and competitive. They stand up for themselves rather than concede to maintain goodwill.
This trait shapes reactions to unfairness. Agreeable individuals turn the other cheek and forgive transgressions. Less agreeable people become angry when treated poorly. They stand up against injustice and don’t let others take advantage of them.
Agreeableness is linked to motivation. High scorers tend to be more compassion-driven — their empathy compels them to help others. Low scorers are more self-interested. They advocate for themselves rather than bend to accommodate other people’s needs.
Cultures vary in their preference for agreeableness versus tough-mindedness. In collectivist Asian cultures agreeableness is highly valued. Western individualistic societies emphasize self-advocacy over accommodating others. Agreeableness tends to increase as people get older and focus less on competition.
Neuroticism
This dimension measures your emotional reactivity and stability. Neuroticism reflects the tendency to experience more frequent and intense negative emotions. People high in neuroticism respond worse to stressors. They are prone to anxiety, anger, envy, guilt, worry, sadness, and loneliness. Emotionally stable individuals are calm, content, resilient, and steady under pressure.
Neuroticism is linked to the brain’s threat response system. High scorers have increased activity in the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain. This leads them to perceive more experiences as threatening. Small frustrations provoke larger reactions. Stable types have more controlled responses to stress and provocation.
People high in neuroticism have a reactive temperament. They are sensitive and self-conscious. It doesn’t take much to upset them because they readily perceive threats in their environment. Stable individuals are less easily provoked and quicker to bounce back from adversity.
Emotional stability facilitates better coping. Resilient people handle stressful events without getting overwhelmed. Those high in neuroticism can be crippled by anxiety and negative thinking. They struggle to regain equilibrium after difficult experiences.
Neuroticism is linked to relationship difficulties and health problems. High scorers have more troubled relationships and are more likely to develop mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders. Emotional stability has physical health benefits as people deal with illnesses better.
Neuroticism declines with age. As we mature, we develop better skills to regulate our emotions. But our basic temperament remains the same. Stable adults are still calmer under stress than those with reactive natures. With self-awareness, high scorers can develop strategies to improve their resilience.
Conclusion
The Big Five personality framework illuminates key dimensions that shape our patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. By understanding your unique personality blend of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, you gain self-knowledge to guide your personal and professional path. Use insights from your trait profile to play to your strengths while developing any areas for growth. And remember that with self-awareness, knowledge, and practice, you can adapt your tendencies as needed to live your best life. Your personality traits do not define your destiny, but rather offer signposts to help you on your journey toward fulfillment.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It causes distressing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. Let’s dive into the details of what PTSD is, what causes it, who is at risk, and what you can do if you or a loved one may have PTSD.
What Does PTSD Stand For?
PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a mental health condition that can happen after living through or seeing a traumatic event, like war, a natural disaster, a bad accident, physical or sexual assault, or other severe events.
The condition was first named “shell shock” in soldiers during war. Today it has an official medical name and diagnosis. PTSD can happen to anyone who goes through trauma, not just soldiers.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
People with PTSD relive their trauma in various ways long after the event is over. Their lives are disrupted by upsetting memories, anxiety, and emotional numbness. PTSD symptoms are grouped into four main categories:
Negative thoughts – about oneself, others, the world
Fear, guilt, shame – blamed for the trauma
Loss of interest – in previously enjoyed activities
Feeling alienated – from friends, family, everyone else
Symptoms can vary over time. They may come and go, increase or decrease. PTSD rarely goes away completely without treatment. Symptoms typically get worse with stress or reminders of the trauma.
What Causes PTSD?
PTSD is not caused by a personal weakness or character flaw. Here are the main causes of PTSD:
Experiencing a traumatic event – this triggers the brain’s natural response to prioritize survival, altering how the brain processes memories and emotions.
Severity of the trauma – events that cause life threat, physical harm, or make you feel helpless increase the risk. The more direct the exposure, the greater the risk.
Early childhood traumas – neglect, abandonment, and abuse in childhood make people more vulnerable to PTSD as adults.
Genetics – genes that regulate stress hormones may contribute to higher PTSD vulnerability.
Brain differences – scans show altered brain activity in regions that control memories, emotions, arousal, and reasoning in people with PTSD.
No two people experience trauma the same way. A traumatic event can lead to PTSD in one person but not cause PTSD in another. The main factors that determine whether PTSD develops are the nature of the trauma and each person’s unique coping abilities.
Who Gets PTSD?
PTSD can happen to anyone who has lived through a traumatic event. About 3.5% of American adults every year suffer from PTSD.
Here are the people most likely to develop PTSD:
Combat veterans – up to 30% develop PTSD. Seeing battle, being shot/injured, killing others are high risk factors.
Sexual assault victims – up to 50% of rape victims get PTSD. Childhood sexual abuse also strongly increases risk.
Physical assault victims – up to 33% of battered women develop PTSD.
Child abuse survivors – trauma at a young age predisposes people to getting PTSD as adults.
Disaster survivors – rates as high as 50% for severe disasters like mass shootings and earthquakes.
Serious accident survivors – up to 21% of motor vehicle accident survivors get PTSD.
People with a history of mental illness – prior anxiety, depression, and PTSD increase vulnerability.
However, anyone can develop PTSD after going through a trauma – first responders, emergency workers, people with no known risk factors. Reactions vary widely.
When Do PTSD Symptoms Start?
PTSD symptoms typically begin within 3 months of the trauma. But they can also first appear later:
Acute PTSD – symptoms last under 3 months
Chronic PTSD – symptoms last over 3 months
Delayed onset PTSD – symptoms begin at least 6 months after trauma
Delayed onset PTSD is less common but does happen. A person may seem fine at first, only to develop PTSD down the road. Getting treatment promptly improves outcomes.
How is PTSD Diagnosed?
A mental health professional like a psychologist or psychiatrist diagnoses PTSD based on:
Symptoms – experiencing enough PTSD symptoms from each category
Duration – symptoms lasting over a month
Functional impairment – reduced ability to function at home, work, school due to symptoms
Exclusion of other causes – symptoms are not better explained by medication, a medical condition or other mental disorders like psychosis, mania, or anxiety disorders
Self-assessment tools like questionnaires can indicate if someone may have PTSD. But a licensed clinician must confirm the diagnosis through an in-person clinical interview.
PTSD vs. Acute Stress Disorder
Acute stress disorder has similar symptoms to PTSD but lasts less than a month after trauma. If acute stress disorder symptoms persist longer than a month, it’s diagnosed as PTSD.
Think of acute stress disorder as the early response, while PTSD is the lingering response. Not everyone with acute stress disorder goes on to develop PTSD. Prompt treatment can often resolve acute stress disorder before it progresses to full blown PTSD.
Complex PTSD
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) results from long-term trauma like abuse during childhood or domestic violence. It has additional symptoms like:
Emotional regulation difficulties
Changes in self-concept
Social/interpersonal problems
CPTSD is not an official diagnosis yet. It was proposed as a subtype of PTSD needing specialized treatment. For now, CPTSD is diagnosed as regular PTSD with note of the complex features.
How Common is PTSD?
Recent PTSD statistics show:
7-8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives
3.5% of US adults have PTSD during a given year
Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD
Up to 20% of veterans have PTSD after serving in war zones
But PTSD is underdiagnosed – people do not always recognize symptoms or seek help. So the rates may be higher than reported.
What Are Common PTSD Triggers?
PTSD triggers bring back memories of the trauma and spark distressing symptoms. Triggers are often related to the event itself. Common ones include:
Places – the location where the trauma happened
People – someone who was present during the trauma
Sensations – pain, heat, pressure, sounds, or smells associated with the trauma
Emotions – feeling afraid, angry, ashamed, guilty
Situations – anything resembling the traumatic circumstances
Dates and times – anniversaries of the trauma
Sufferers may not even know exactly what triggered their symptoms in some cases. Becoming aware of triggers can help people anticipate and manage symptoms.
Can PTSD Be Prevented After Trauma?
There are things that may help minimize the chances of developing PTSD after a trauma:
Psychological first aid – crisis counseling shortly after the trauma
Talk therapy – help processing emotions soon after the event
Medication – short term use of anti-anxiety meds or sedatives
Support network – close family and friends to lean on
Avoidance coping – limiting alcohol/drug use and isolation
However, there are no guarantees against developing PTSD. The nature of the trauma has a major influence on whether PTSD follows. All anyone can do is try their best to take care of mental health after a crisis.
Does PTSD Ever Go Away?
PTSD can be very persistent, especially without treatment. Symptoms usually begin soon after the trauma but may come and go over time.
Here are the possible outcomes with PTSD:
Chronic PTSD – symptoms last for over 3 months with no relief
Delayed onset – symptoms appear at least 6 months later
Relapsing-remitting – symptoms flare up during stressful times
Recovery – symptoms eventually resolve to the point of leading a normal life
The good news is PTSD is treatable for most people. Research shows therapy leads to significant improvement for around half and total remission for around 1/3. But symptoms can still return under stress.
How is PTSD Treated?
Professional treatment is recommended for PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tends to be most effective. Treatment generally involves:
Therapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – CBT with a trauma focus
EMDR – processing trauma memories while doing eye movements
Group therapy – connecting with other trauma survivors
Medication
Antidepressants – SSRIs and SNRIs to reduce symptoms
Anti-anxiety drugs – clonazepam or prazosin for associated anxiety and insomnia
Mood stabilizers – for irritability, aggression, and impulsivity
A combination of psychotherapy and medication is often used. Other approaches like mindfulness and family therapy can also help. Treatment is tailored to each person’s specific symptoms and issues.
9 Lifestyle Changes That Help PTSD
Along with professional treatment, making lifestyle changes can support PTSD recovery:
Socializing – connect regularly with close family/friends
Relaxation practices – yoga, deep breathing, meditation
Nature time – walk in green spaces to restore calm
Good sleep habits – keep a consistent sleep schedule
Joining a support group – feel understood by others with PTSD
Quieting activities – reading, listening to music, praying
Avoiding isolation – loneliness makes PTSD worse
While these strategies alone are not enough, they can make day-to-day life more manageable. Adopting healthy coping skills aids recovery.
What Complications Can Result From PTSD?
PTSD sufferers have a higher risk of developing other mental and physical health conditions, including:
Depression – moderate to severe depression
Substance abuse – alcohol or drug abuse to cope with symptoms
Other anxiety disorders – panic disorder, OCD, social phobia
High blood pressure – hypertension brought on by stress
Obesity – from overeating and unhealthy behaviors
Heart problems – higher heart disease and stroke risk factors
Chronic pain – headaches, muscle pain, arthritis
Autoimmune diseases – higher risk of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
Dementia – cognitive decline later in life
Getting PTSD treated promptly reduces the likelihood of developing related health issues. But PTSD can have widespread effects on mental and physical well-being if left unaddressed.
Does PTSD Increase Suicide Risk?
Yes, PTSD is linked to an elevated risk of suicide. The combination of traumatic memories, extreme anxiety, guilt, shame, and social isolation can become unbearable. Thoughts of suicide provide an escape.
Statistics show that:
Up to 21% of people with PTSD have attempted suicide
Over 70% of people who have attempted suicide have PTSD
Suicidal thoughts are a psychiatric emergency. Quick intervention can stabilize someone in crisis. Reducing access to lethal means, keeping someone company, encouraging treatment, and offering hope saves lives.
Can Children Get PTSD?
Yes, children can develop PTSD after traumatic events. The symptoms may differ compared to adults:
Preschool children may revert to earlier behaviors like:
Bedwetting, speech difficulties
Excessive separation anxiety
Reenacting the trauma during play
School age children may exhibit:
Irritability, outbursts
Trouble paying attention
Avoidance of school and friends
Worries about future dangers
Teens may experience:
Impulsive and reckless behavior
Nightmares and flashbacks
Self-harm or suicidal thinking
Drug and alcohol abuse
Social withdrawal
Parents and caregivers need to help kids process trauma in an age-appropriate way. Counseling at any age can prevent long-term effects of trauma.
Does PTSD Affect Relationships?
PTSD often deeply affects relationships with loved ones. A person with PTSD may:
Isolate themselves from family and friends
Lose interest in intimacy or experience sexual difficulties
Have trouble expressing positive feelings
Seem emotionally numb or disconnected
Act irritable, reactive, and quick to anger
Be hypervigilant about surroundings
Have limited patience with children
Partners and family members can also develop their own trauma symptoms, known as secondary traumatic stress. They may feel weighed down, frustrated, sad, angry, and hopeless seeing their loved one suffer.
Couples counseling helps partners learn how to communicate, set boundaries, and take care of themselves. It prevents relationship damage and secondary trauma.
Does PTSD Impact Work Ability?
Yes, PTSD frequently interferes with people’s ability to work and perform at their usual level. Difficulties include:
Trouble concentrating, learning new tasks
Forgetting instructions, details
Being easily startled, irritable
Preoccupation with trauma memories
Anxiety when driving or commuting
Conflicts with coworkers and managers
Missing work for therapy appointments
Difficulty handling high stress
Unemployment rates for people with PTSD tend to be high. Symptoms like flashbacks, panic attacks, and anger issues make workplace functioning hard.
Getting treatment and onsite job accommodations enables many people with PTSD to continue working successfully.
Can PTSD Be Worse at Certain Times?
PTSD symptoms often worsen due to triggering events like:
Anniversaries of the trauma – memories and difficult feelings surge
Similar traumatic events – news of another disaster or violent attack
Holidays – emotions run high and support systems may be absent
Change in seasons – the time of year the trauma occurred
Birthdays and celebrations – positive events turn into sad reminders
Therapy appointments – revisiting trauma brings symptoms back
Becoming aware of patterns around when PTSD gets worse allows people to be prepared and manage symptoms proactively, like by scheduling extra therapy sessions.
Why Do PTSD Symptoms Improve and Worsen?
PTSD symptoms fluctuate in response to internal and external factors like:
Improved coping – therapy and self-care make symptoms better able to manage
Prolonged stress – financial problems, conflict, lack of support can worsen PTSD
Trauma reminders – triggers like certain dates, places, sensations
Substance abuse – drinking or using drugs makes symptoms worse
Depression – feeling low and hopeless exacerbates PTSD
Positive events – symptoms ease during times of lower stress and happiness
Medications – may dampen or amplify symptoms
Tracking factors connected to better or worse PTSD symptoms allows for identifying coping strategies and stressors to modify.
Does Service Dog Help PTSD?
Specially trained psychiatric service dogs can help people with PTSD in many ways:
Calming anxiety – the presence of the dog during panic attacks
Lessening nightmares – by sleeping near or waking up handlers
Decreasing isolation – motivated to go outside walking the dog
Reality grounding – when dissociating or having flashbacks
Medication alerting – reminding handler to take pills
Hypervigilance aid – scoping out environments, providing security
However, service dogs are expensive and a big commitment. The right match between dog and handler is crucial. Service dogs help manage some but not all PTSD symptoms.
Should I Tell People I Have PTSD?
Deciding whether to disclose having PTSD is a personal choice. Here are some potential pros and cons of telling people at work, school, in your social circle that you have PTSD:
Pros
Explain anxiety, moodiness
Request accommodations/modifications
Identify sources of support
Reduce stigma through education
Prevent misjudgments and conflict
Get empathy and help
Cons
Discrimination at work, school
Others being uncomfortable around you
Treated differently, labeled “fragile”
Unwanted probing questions
Need to repeatedly explain yourself
Privacy feels invaded
Think carefully about who you tell, how, and what you want to disclose. Sharing judiciously with trusted confidants often yields the best results. You get to decide how “out” you want to be.
What Kinds of Doctors Treat PTSD?
Psychiatrists – medical doctors who specialize in mental health conditions; can prescribe medications for PTSD
Psychologists – mental health professionals with a PhD or PsyD; provide counseling and therapy
Clinical social workers – have an MSW degree; trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders
Psychiatric nurse practitioners – RNs with specialized psychiatry training; can prescribe medications
Family doctors and primary care providers can also screen for PTSD and coordinate referrals to mental health specialists. Other types of therapists can help manage PTSD symptoms, like marriage counselors, drug and alcohol counselors, hypnotherapists, and art/music/dance therapists.
Having a comprehensive team of both medical and mental health professionals is ideal for fully treating PTSD’s many symptoms and complications.
What FDA Medications Are Approved for PTSD?
Only two medications are specifically FDA-approved to treat PTSD:
Sertraline (Zoloft) – an SSRI antidepressant
Paroxetine (Paxil) – an SSRI antidepressant
However, doctors may prescribe other antidepressants that are approved to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and OCD, since PTSD has similar brain chemistry features.
Anti-anxiety meds like benzodiazepines may be used short term to manage severe anxiety. Atypical antipsychotics can treat PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance and paranoia in refractory cases when other medications haven’t worked.
Are Therapists Required to Report if You Have PTSD from Trauma?
Generally, no – therapists are not required to report if their client has PTSD specifically. Confidentiality laws protect privacy in therapy.
However, there are exceptions where therapists might have to report:
If the trauma involves child abuse or elder abuse
If you disclose thoughts of harming yourself or others
If asked by court subpoena to share treatment records
If you need documentation for disability benefits
It’s important to understand informed consent, limits of confidentiality, and mandated reporting laws in your state. Be open with your therapist about any concerns.
Most therapists aim to develop trusting relationships with clients and protect privacy. They want you to feel comfortable sharing freely so they can help you best.
Can You Claim PTSD as a Disability?
Yes, you may be able to get Social Security Disability benefits if PTSD prevents you from working. Requirements include:
A confirmed diagnosis from a mental health professional
Experiencing specific disabling symptoms – like flashbacks, panic attacks, memory issues
Significant difficulty working for over a year due to the symptoms
Severe impairment in daily living – needing help caring for yourself
Ongoing treatment with therapy, medications that has not helped sufficiently
It can take a lot of time and medical evidence to get approved for PTSD disability. Hiring a disability lawyer improves your chances of success.
Can Massage Therapy Help PTSD?
Massage therapy helps some people ease PTSD symptoms like:
Anxiety – relaxing the nervous system
Muscle tension – releasing tightness from chronic stress
Insomnia – promoting deeper sleep
Headaches – reducing strain from clenching and grinding teeth
Emotional numbness – helping reconnect to bodily sensations
However, massage may feel uncomfortable and unsafe for PTSD patients who don’t like to be touched or have trouble relaxing. It should only be done by an experienced therapist who makes you feel at ease. Deep breathing during the massage enhances benefits.
While not a substitute for psychotherapy or medication, massage can be part of a holistic approach to managing PTSD.
Does Art Therapy Help PTSD?
Yes, working with art in a therapeutic setting can benefit some individuals with PTSD. Potential gains include:
Expressing and processing emotions through art that may be difficult to articulate
Relaxation and stress relief from the creative process
Building a trauma narrative to make sense of what happened
Enhanced self-awareness through symbolism and metaphors
Developing a mastery experience after trauma took away control
Art therapy may incorporate drawing, painting, sculpting, collage making, music, dance/movement, or writing. A trained art therapist guides the sessions, interprets the art, and helps connect it to PTSD treatment goals.
Can PTSD Develop Years Later?
Yes, it’s possible for PTSD symptoms to emerge years after a traumatic event occurred, which is known as delayed-onset PTSD.
Reasons PTSD may develop late include:
Avoiding thinking about the trauma – not fully processing it
New triggering event – reminds you of the past trauma
Life stress accumulation – harder to cope as responsibilities grow
Changes in brain – new stage of life like menopause or aging
Decline in health – illness lowers ability to regulate emotions
Retirement – loss of work identity and less daily structure
Getting help for delayed-onset PTSD is just as critical as treating acute PTSD. The sooner you reach out, the more treatable symptoms are, regardless of how long it’s been.
Can You Recover from PTSD without Medication?
Yes, it’s possible to recover from PTSD without taking psychiatric medications. Many people improve significantly from therapy techniques like:
Cognitive processing therapy
Prolonged exposure
EMDR
Stress inoculation training
Dialectical behavior therapy
Lifestyle changes like social support, exercise, nature exposure, relaxation practices, and routine also help manage PTSD. Joining a support group provides additional coping strategies.
However, medication combined with therapy leads to better outcomes for most patients. Discuss all treatment options thoroughly with your doctor.
Does Hypnosis Work for PTSD?
Clinical hypnosis by a trained therapist may help reduce some PTSD symptoms, especially:
Anxiety – relaxation techniques provide calming
Insomnia – visualization aids restful sleep
Flashbacks – learning self-hypnosis to remain grounded in the present
Pain – redirecting focus away from discomfort
Smoking cessation – post-trauma smoking often increases
But hypnosis remains controversial and should not replace standard PTSD treatments. More research is needed on its long-term efficacy.
Can Medical Marijuana Help PTSD?
A growing number of states approve medical marijuana for PTSD. Initial research shows cannabis may help some patients:
Improve sleep – less nightmares
Reduce anxiety – lower heart rate and distress
Restore appetite – combat avoidance of eating
Block traumatic memories – dissociate from reminders
However, marijuana does not treat underlying causes. It may dull emotions rather than process trauma. More studies are underway on marijuana risks and ideal strains for PTSD relief.
Patients should consult doctors as cannabinoids interact with many medications. Recreational use often backfires by worsening psychiatric disorders. Legal medicinal marijuana may offer limited benefits for tough-to-treat PTSD.
What Criteria Qualify a Trauma for PTSD?
Not all difficult events result in PTSD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), qualifying PTSD trauma must:
Involve death, serious injury, sexual violation, or threats to physical safety or integrity
Be experienced directly, witnessed happening to others, or learned occurred to close friends/family
Invoke intense fear, horror, or powerlessness
Be considered traumatic by most people – objectively terrifying
Events like a bad relationship breakup or losing a job are distressing but do not meet PTSD trauma criteria. While profoundly upsetting, not all of life’s adversities can cause PTSD’s specific symptoms.
Can You Have PTSD Without Remembering the Trauma?
Yes, it’s possible to develop PTSD from a trauma you don’t recall because you:
Passed out during the event
Were too young to form lasting memories
Have amnesia due to a head injury
Dissociated from unbearable trauma
Were under the influence of drugs/alcohol
Have extreme memory suppression as a coping mechanism
Lack of memory does not mean lack of impact. PTSD’s effects on the brain, body, and emotions after a highly distressing event can occur without explicit memories. Treating the symptoms is most important, even without recall of the original cause.
Can PTSD Develop from Childhood Bullying?
Being severely bullied, especially over an extended time, can certainly cause PTSD in some children and teenagers.
Signs of PTSD from bullying include:
Reliving bullying through memories, flashbacks, nightmares
Avoiding school, social situations that risk re-exposure
Emotional numbness, isolation from peers
Trouble sleeping, angry outbursts
Intense anxiety, exaggerated startle response
Decline in academic performance
Seeking counseling, alerting school staff, and encouraging new friendships helps minimize PTSD from forming after bullying. Childhood traumas lead to deeper adult PTSD if left untreated.
Does TENS Unit Help PTSD Symptoms?
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units may offer PTSD relief by:
Elevating mood – stimulating release of endorphins
TENS units work by delivering small electrical pulses to nerve fibers via electrodes placed on the skin. Settings are adjustable for desired stimulation.
While more evidence is needed, TENS is inexpensive, drug-free tool that may be worth trying under a PT or doctor’s guidance for anxiety, pain, and sleep problems. It should not replace other PTSD treatments.
What PTSD Symptoms Improve with Time?
Many PTSD symptoms naturally lessen in severity over time, including:
Anxiety – feeling less threatened as trauma fades
Insomnia – falling asleep gets easier
Intrusive memories – flashbacks become less vivid
Hypervigilance – decreased startle response
Anger – irritability levels out
However, time alone does not resolve PTSD. Symptoms may wax and wane, subsiding for a period before flaring up again. Getting trauma-focused psychotherapy and making lifestyle changes speeds recovery.
Certain symptoms tend to persist like traumatic amnesia, sadness, low self-esteem, and dissociation. But learning to manage PTSD through courage, support, and skilled treatment brings hope.
Do Service Dogs for PTSD Require Special Training?
Yes, service dogs for PTSD undergo specialized training tailored to the symptoms and needs of people with PTSD. Training includes commands for:
Interrupting episodes like panic attacks, flashbacks, and dissociation
Turning on lights or clearing rooms to ease hypervigilance
Tactile stimulation to disrupt emotional numbness or sensory flashbacks
Guiding handlers away from anxiety-producing situations
Waking handlers from nightmares
Alerting to oncoming triggers and signs of distress
The right PTSD service dog provides a comforting yet vigilant presence attuned to its handler’s vulnerabilities. The deep understanding service dogs develop with their people makes them invaluable.
Does Acupuncture Help PTSD?
Some studies show acupuncture may aid PTSD recovery by:
Reducing anxiety – calming the nervous system
Lessening insomnia – promoting deeper sleep
Relieving muscle tension – common from chronic stress
Lifting low mood – boosting serotonin, dopamine
Decreasing pain – often accompanying PTSD
Minimizing drug cravings – if self-medicating trauma
Improving focus – sharpening attention span
However, more research on acupuncture for PTSD is needed. It should serve as an adjunct, not alternative, to standard treatments like therapy and medication. Acupuncture may help manage certain symptoms but does not address the root trauma.
Can Narcissistic Abuse Cause PTSD?
Yes, experiencing emotional abuse from a narcissistic partner, family member, or friend can lead to PTSD. Gaslighting, verbal assaults, sabotage, exploitation, and betrayal by a narcissist take an immense psychological toll over time.
PTSD symptoms that can result from narcissistic abuse include:
Hypervigilance about saying/doing the “right” thing
Isolating yourself to avoid conflict
Irrational guilt, self-blame
Feeling constantly on edge
Depression, suicidal thoughts
Panic attacks when encountering triggers
If you believe narcissistic abuse caused PTSD, seek counseling specifically for trauma survivors. With skilled help, your symptoms can improve and self-esteem can be rebuilt.
Can EMDR Be Used to Treat PTSD?
Yes, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is an effective treatment for PTSD. EMDR helps the brain properly process and integrate traumatic memories so they no longer cause distress.
Key aspects of EMDR include:
Recalling trauma details while performing guided eye movements
Using other bilateral types of stimulation like taps or sounds
Following the associative process wherever it leads
Gaining new perspectives on the trauma
Learning adaptive coping behaviors
Multiple studies support EMDR’s PTSD benefits. Significant relief often occurs within just 6-12 sessions when done by a certified EMDR therapist.
How Common is PTSD in Firefighters?
Studies indicate PTSD rates in firefighters range between 7-37%.
Factors putting firefighters at high PTSD risk include:
Constant exposure to death and destruction
Seeing burned or wounded victims
Nearly dying in a fire or collapse
Having a fellow firefighter die in action
Post-trauma lack of social support
Insufficient recovery time between calls
Prior traumas accumulating over many years
Counseling, peer support, family communication, and time off after disturbing calls can help lower the PTSD burden on firefighters and paramedics. Taking steps to preserve mental health is vital.
Does PTSD Qualify You for Social Security Benefits?
Yes, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may be available if your PTSD prevents you from working.
To qualify, you must provide medical documentation of:
A qualifying trauma and PTSD diagnosis
Inability to work due to symptoms like flashbacks, panic attacks, memory/focus issues
Ongoing impairments lasting over 12 months
Participation in recommended treatments like therapy and medication
Hospitalizations or ER visits related to PTSD
The process can take time and patience. Hiring a disability attorney to handle your claim is strongly advised.
Do Weighted Blankets Help PTSD?
Weighted blankets are therapeutic tools that may ease some PTSD symptoms like:
Anxiety – the gentle pressure has a calming effect
Insomnia – helps tense bodies relax into sleep
Nightmares – feeling secure lowers dreaming
Restlessness – encourages stillness
Hypervigilance – comforting, cocoon-like comfort
Loneliness – surrounds you with comfort
The best weighted blankets allow adjustable pressure. Use caution if you have claustrophobia. Weighted blankets should not replace other PTSD treatments but can augment therapy.
Can PTSD Symptoms Come and Go?
Yes, it’s common for PTSD symptoms to come and go over time. They may:
Flare up during periods of high stress
Surge around traumatic anniversary dates
Fade when life is relatively calm and happy
Seemingly disappear for a while
Return months or years later despite long dormant periods (delayed-onset PTSD)
This waxing and waning of symptoms reflects how our brains and bodies process trauma memories and stimuli unpredictably. We cannot fully control when PTSD gets better or worse.
Working consistently on recovery techniques provides some symptom stability. But healing from PTSD tends to occur gradually, with ups and downs.
Can Men and Women Experience PTSD Differently?
Yes, research suggests men and women tend to exhibit PTSD somewhat differently.
Women often display:
Heightened startle reaction
Greater anxiety
Higher rates of depression
Increased isolation
More physical symptoms
Men often display:
Irritability and anger
Aggression and violence
Reckless behaviors
Substance abuse
Emotional numbness
Men with PTSD are more prone to lash out through verbal abuse, reckless driving, physical altercations, risky sexual behaviors, and alcohol/drug use. Women frequently direct distress inwards.
These are general patterns only. PTSD affects men and women on a personal, individual basis, regardless of gender-based tendencies. The trauma experience matters most. Effective treatment should be tailored to each person’s needs.
Can You Claim PTSD for VA Disability?
Yes, veterans can file a VA disability claim for PTSD connected to trauma experienced during military service.
The VA requires:
An official PTSD diagnosis from a mental health professional
Confirmation of a qualifying in-service stressor
Medical records showing impairment in functioning
Establishing a link between current symptoms and in-service trauma
Veterans should work with an accredited VA representative to file a fully documented claim. VA disability pay and health coverage are granted based on PTSD severity ratings from 0-100%.
Does Caffeine Make PTSD Symptoms Worse?
High caffeine intake can exacerbate anxiety, insomnia, and agitation in those with PTSD. Caffeine is a stimulant that activates the fight-or-flight nervous system, which is already over-sensitive in people with PTSD.
Reducing coffee, tea, soda, and energy drink consumption is advisable. Limit to one small cup in the mornings only. Avoid caffeine after noon so as not to disrupt sleep.
Decaf beverages, herbal teas, and lemon water are healthier alternatives. Getting exercise, fresh air, sunlight, and social connection provides energy without caffeine’s side effects.
What PTSD Treatments Are Covered by Insurance?
Most insurance plans cover some PTSD treatments like:
Therapy – individual, group, family, EMDR
Psychiatric medication
Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
Partial hospitalization programs
Intensive outpatient programs
Neurofeedback
But coverage and copays/coinsurance costs vary. Steps to take:
Verify your plan’s mental health benefits
Get preauthorization for recommended treatment
Use in-network providers to minimize out-of-pocket fees
Appeal any denied claims by providing medical necessity documentation
Don’t let insurance obstacles prevent getting needed PTSD care. Many therapists offer sliding fee scales as well.
Does PTSD Qualify You for a Service Dog?
Yes, people with PTSD may qualify for a service dog trained to perform tasks helping them function better. Examples include:
Fetching medication, providing tactile stimulation to disrupt flashbacks
Guiding handler away from triggers like crowded places
Turning on lights to ease hypervigilance
Waking handler from nightmares
Placing body against handler to calm anxiety attacks
Alerting to signs of distress like panic or dissociation
ADA laws protect rights to public access for handlers with psychiatric service dogs. Documentation from a mental health professional documenting PTSD disability and need for a service dog may be required.
Can PTSD Develop After One Traumatic Event?
Yes, PTSD can occur after a single traumatic experience without any prior trauma history. One intensely disturbing event is enough to generate PTSD’s onset.
Examples of traumatic one-time events leading to PTSD include:
Serious car accident
Major natural disaster
Near-death experience
Witnessing a fatal event
Violent physical or sexual assault
Severe animal attack
War zone exposure
The key is that the event involved actual or threatened death/injury/violation and invoked extreme fear, helplessness, or horror. A one-time trauma permanently alters the brain’s fear circuitry.
Can You Do Psychedelics If You Have PTSD?
Psychedelic substances like LSD, magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, and MDMA are risky if you have PTSD. While some limited studies show promising results, recreational use carries dangers.
Potential hazards include:
Severe anxiety, panic attacks
Re-experiencing trauma vividly
Losing touch with reality
Flashbacks, hallucinations
Dangerous behavior while intoxicated
Interactions with psychiatric medications
The setting, dosage, preparation, and expert guidance are crucial for therapeutic versus harmful outcomes. Never attempt without medical supervision.
Focus on evidence-based treatments for PTSD recovery. Psychedelic-assisted therapy requires much more research before going mainstream.
Does Testosterone Help PTSD?
There may be a link between PTSD and low testosterone levels in men. Trauma stresses the body, which can suppress testosterone production.
Increasing testosterone may potentially help some male PTSD symptoms like:
Depressed mood – testosterone boosts serotonin
Low motivation – impacts dopamine
Fatigue – testosterone increases energy
Poor concentration – enhances mental focus
Reduced sex drive – regulates libido
However, research is early and conflicting. Ruling out other causes of low testosterone is important. Testosterone therapy has significant health risks if not medically indicated. Work with an endocrinologist to determine if treatment is warranted.
Does PTSD Make You Age Faster?
The physiological effects of severe, chronic stress may accelerate cellular aging in people with PTSD.
PTSD symptoms like hyperarousal, anxiety, and insomnia create harmful inflammation. Cortisol and adrenaline disrupt the body’s repair and maintenance processes. Shortened telomeres indicate premature aging.
People with PTSD tend to have higher rates of:
Chronic disease – heart disease, diabetes
Cancer
Dementia
Osteoporosis
Wrinkles
Hair loss
Obesity
Effective PTSD treatment can reverse damage and extend longevity. But unmanaged long-term PTSD takes a real toll on physical health and longevity.
Can You Treat Both PTSD and Addiction?
Yes, PTSD and substance abuse require coordinated treatment for the best chance of recovery. Integrated programs address both conditions at the same time.
Steps include:
Detox and achieving sobriety
Stabilizing mood and behaviors
Intensive therapy for trauma and addiction
Medication management if warranted – antidepressants, Campral
Ongoing community support – 12-step, counseling
It’s critical to uncover the source trauma fueling addictive behaviors. Developing healthy coping skills to replace self-medicating is the goal. With time, dedication, and peer support, healing is possible.
Does Fasting Help with PTSD?
Some people with PTSD report occasional fasting helps improve symptoms like mood, focus, sleep, and anxiety.
Potential reasons fasting may help include:
Reduced inflammation
Eliminating cravings for unhealthy comfort foods
Resetting gut microbiome balance
Allowing the digestive system to rest
Sparking release of BDNF and endocannabinoids
However, fasting can also trigger headaches, irritability, brain fog, and blood sugar crashes. It is not for everyone. Always consult your doctor before attempting therapeutic fasting.
While fasting may offer limited benefits, it should not take priority over psychotherapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle adjustments which more consistently help PTSD.
Does PTSD Cause More Health Problems?
Yes, the chronic stress of PTSD can significantly harm physical as well as mental health. People with PTSD have higher risk for:
Obesity
Diabetes
Cancer
Heart attack and stroke
Ulcers and digestive issues
Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue
Headaches
Sexual dysfunction
Arthritis
Asthma
Thyroid disorders
Accelerated aging
Managing PTSD through counseling, stress-reduction, healthy lifestyle habits, and medication improves overall wellness. Unresolved PTSD threatens long-term health.
Can Neurofeedback Help PTSD?
Neurofeedback trains the brain to better regulate emotions through enhancing sleep, processing trauma memories, and reducing hyperarousal.
It works by measuring brain waves in real-time and providing visual or auditory feedback when desired wave patterns occur. This reinforces optimal neural firing related to:
Relaxation
Focus
Impulse control
Flexible thinking
Multiple studies confirm neurofeedback’s ability to reduce PTSD symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and panic attacks. While more evidence is still needed, it is an encouraging therapy to try under an expert’s care.
Does PTSD Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
Currently about two-thirds of U.S. states include PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. Laws are rapidly changing to expand access.
However, marijuana is not FDA approved to treat PTSD. Research on risks, ideal strains and dosages, and long-term effects is limited.
Talk to your psychiatrist about the pros/cons. Be sure to disclose any decision to use medical cannabis. Fully legal recreational marijuana also enables access in some states.
While anecdotes of PTSD relief exist and the potential is promising, more evidence is still needed. Using THC and CBD under medical supervision is safest until research catches up to demand.
Can PTSD Be Misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder?
Yes, there is some overlap in symptoms between PTSD and bipolar disorder that can lead to misdiagnosis. These include:
PTSD
Irritability
Risky behavior
Hypervigilance
Concentration problems
Insomnia
Bipolar
Risky behavior
Rapid speech
Distractibility
Insomnia
Paranoia
However, a trained mental health professional conducts tests and clinical interviews to correctly differentiate the conditions. Key distinguishing characteristics include:
Getting clarity through a thorough assessment ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Does PTSD Ever Truly Go Away?
For many people, PTSD symptoms significantly improve to the point of leading a happy, fulfilling life. But PTSD tends never to fully go away.
Reasons include:
Trauma memories cannot be permanently erased
Triggers can randomly bring symptoms back
Stress exacerbates post-trauma vulnerability
The brain stays overly sensitized
With effective coping skills, symptoms often quiet to barely noticeable background noise. But PTSD remains in the wings, ready to reassert itself during times of lowered resilience.
Accepting this truth, without letting it discourage progress, allows for greatest thriving. We all have challenges; PTSD is one that waxes and wanes.
How Many Sessions of EMDR Are Needed for PTSD?
While everyone’s PTSD and EMDR response is unique, most people need 6-12 sessions for significant improvement.
Factors determining EMDR duration include:
Number of past traumas
Complexity of memories
Skill integrating bilateral stimulation
Ability to quickly process traumatic material
Degree of social support outside sessions
History of prior treatment attempts
After the initial EMDR trauma processing phase concludes, periodic “tune up” sessions are useful during stressful times or triggering events. EMDR provides lasting tools to manage post-trauma life.
Can You Have Delayed Onset PTSD Years Later?
Yes, it’s possible to develop delayed onset PTSD years after a traumatic event. PTSD symptoms may emerge down the road because:
You avoided thinking about the trauma.
Life stressors like divorce or job loss pile up.
A major anniversary or similar event triggers memories.
Your health declines or cognitive abilities change with age.
You retire and lose the distraction of work.
Other priorities like caregiving end, allowing trauma processing.
In some cases, PTSD stays dormant for decades only to surface later due to accumulated life burdens. But treatment at any age provides real hope for recovery.
How Do I Convince a Loved One to Get Help for PTSD?
You can’t force someone into PTSD treatment, but you can make a compassionate case by:
Pointing out specific behaviors that concern you
Explaining the emotional toll their struggle has on you
Reminding them that recovery is possible with professional help
Outlining the ways untreated PTSD worsens over time
Offering to help find providers and schedule appointments
Suggesting trying therapy as an act of self-care, not weakness
Encouraging mutual support groups like Warrior’s Journey
Ultimately, they must choose to pursue help for themselves. Leading by positive example, while setting emotional boundaries, provides the best influence.
What Conditions Comorbid with PTSD?
PTSD frequently co-occurs with other mental health disorders like:
Depression – feeling hopeless and unmotivated
Anxiety – worrying excessively
OCD – unwanted repetitive thoughts
Bipolar disorder – cycling mood episodes
Substance abuse – drinking or drugs to cope
Eating disorders – restricting, binging, purging
Personality disorders – unstable relationships
Suicidality – belief life isn’t worth living
Having multiple diagnoses does not mean untreatable. Integrated care from a collaborative team provides tools to manage complex mental health challenges.
Can Service Dogs Help Veterans with PTSD?
Yes, trained service dogs can significantly help veterans with war-related PTSD by:
Providing comfort during flashbacks or panic attacks
Decreasing nightmares and improving sleep
Alerting to potential dangers or triggers like crowds
Preventing isolation by encouraging activity
Waking from nightmares or dissociation
Modeling deep pressure touch for grounding
Service dogs form an invaluable healing bond with veterans struggling with PTSD. Together they build a new mission of hope, purpose, and unlimited love.
Can a Chiropractor Help PTSD?
Chiropractic care cannot directly treat PTSD’s root psychological trauma. But it may aid physical symptoms commonly accompanying PTSD like:
Chronic back, neck, and joint pain
Headaches
Grinding teeth
Numbness/tingling
Insomnia
Chiropractic adjustments realign the nervous system for optimal functioning and release muscle tension caused by stress. While not curative, whole-body chiropractic care supports well-being.
Ask your mental health provider for chiropractor referrals. Integrative approaches promote PTSD healing.
Are PTSD Hallucinations Common?
While less frequent than flashbacks, hallucinations do occur in some people with PTSD.
They involve:
Seeing visceral images of the trauma
Hearing sounds or screams from memories
Smelling associated odors like smoke, blood, chemicals
Feeling tactile sensations like being struck
Tasting flavors linked to the trauma
Hallucinations result when the brain has trouble differentiating past from present. They feel terrifyingly real in the moment. Medication, grounding techniques, and distinguishing triggers lessen their intensity.
How Common Are Seizures and PTSD?
Studies reveal up to 22% of people with PTSD experience seizures, compared to just 2% of the general public.
Reasons PTSD increases seizure risk include:
Chronic stress altering brain cell communication
Neurotransmitter imbalances
Sleep deprivation
Medication side effects
Head injuries possibly accompanying trauma
The good news is gaining control over PTSD through therapy and self-care may also reduce seizure frequency. Focus on stress management and healthy lifestyle habits that support your brain.
Can You Do Psychedelics for PTSD?
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD shows promising results but remains experimental.
Potential benefits being studied include:
Reduced avoidance and numbing
Rewiring neural connections
Increased insight and openness
Reprocessing trauma memories
Elevated mood, optimism
However, many risks exist without expert therapeutic guidance. Recreational use can re-traumatize. Proper set, setting, dosage, and preparation are mandatory.
Work with your doctor regarding enrolling in a legitimate clinical trial. But focus first on proven PTSD treatments before trying unregulated options.
Does VR Exposure Therapy Help PTSD?
Yes, virtual reality exposure therapy is an emerging PTSD treatment that helps patients gradually face trauma-related situations in a safe, controlled virtual environment.
Benefits include:
Repeated exposure practice to master triggers
Total immersion for brain to adapt
Avoiding real-world risks during exposure
Anonymity and privacy
Greater access to tailored scenarios
Studies confirm VR effectively reduces PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, panic attacks, and avoidance coping. Adding VR tools expands therapists’ options for activating trauma processing.
Final Thoughts on Living with PTSD
The pain of PTSD is undeniable, but so is the capacity for growth. Give yourself time and compassion to grieve trauma’s losses. But ultimately, have courage to reclaim meaning, purpose, and joy again.
Healing happens through small brave steps forward each day. Progress flows from moments of support, laughter, and love.
Let the darkness teach you empathy and gratitude. You have strength and resilience within. There are helpers ready to walk with you.
Your lived experiences – all of them – make you beautifully human. Never doubt your wholeness or belonging. Take pride in how far you’ve come.
The future awaits with possibilities. Keep showing up with honesty and hope.
You and your dreams deserve to thrive vibrantly. This life is yours.
Customized physical therapy may be a useful way to ease low back pain, which affects an estimated 31 million Americans a new study says. Researchers from La Trobe University observed that ‘many patients with low-back disorders persisting beyond 6 weeks do not recover.
Customized physical therapy may be a useful way to ease low back pain, which affects an estimated 31 million Americans a new study says. Researchers from La Trobe University observed that ‘many patients with low-back disorders persisting beyond 6 weeks do not recover.’
Nerve tension is pain that occurs because a nerve is being compressed or stuck in its surrounding tissue which prevents it from moving within its tract like it normally does. This can happen for a variety of reasons. If a joint has been immobile for a period of time it increases the risk that a nerve can get a little stuck
Customized physical therapy may be a useful way to ease low back pain, which affects an estimated 31 million Americans a new study says. Researchers from La Trobe University observed that ‘many patients with low-back disorders persisting beyond 6 weeks do not recover.
Physical therapists do a lot more than just stretch or strengthen weak muscles after an injury or surgery. They are skilled at evaluating and diagnosing potential problems before they lead to more-serious injuries or disabling conditions from carpal tunnel syndrome or a frozen shoulder to chronic headaches or lower-back
