Is the idea that you can be struggling with the impact of trauma that happened to your parents, grand-parents, or even ancestors. The grand-children of WW2 concentration camp survivors are at higher risk of mental health difficulties than the general public. The parents of children who are sexually assaulted are likely to have their own […]
KNOW PTSD: What Happened To Me Wasn’t Bad Enough!
Too many people have sat in my office and said “What happened to me wasn’t bad enough.” They’ve told me that they shouldn’t be struggling the way they are because there is “no trauma” in their past. The problem with this sentiment is that the very fact that they are struggling is proof that what […]
Know PTSD: 25 tools for fighting depression
It is very common for people with PTSD to also be struggling with depression. Depression and PTSD are present together about 50% of the time. There are several possible explanations for this: The criteria of the two diagnoses overlap so much that it is easy for both possible mental health issues to fit one presenting […]
What Happened to you: More about ACEs and Trauma Informed Care
More about ACEs and Trauma Informed Care Did Oprah’s short report last night on the impact of childhood trauma leave you wanting more information? Did you miss the 60 Minutes episode but would like to learn more about the topics that Oprah called life changing? This week’s blog is on the two key aspects that […]
KNOW PTSD: 5 Ways to Improve Distress Tolerance
KNOW PTSD: 5 Ways to Improve Distress Tolerance Our ability to handle the difficult parts of life without being overwhelmed is our distress tolerance (AKA: window of tolerance or therapeutic window). This doesn’t mean that the difficult parts don’t make us upset, rather it means that our level of upset is tolerable. Unfortunately, most people […]