What is PTSD? Where did it come from?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD was first given its full name in 1980 in the DSM-III. However, PTSD had many names throughout the centuries. It was first recognized in combat veterans well over 2000 years ago as documented by Hippocrates in 4607-377 BC.  The effects of combat stress and flashbacks were very common then and now with other symptoms as outlined in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. It was long believed that PTSD was limited to veterans, but later determined many people can experience this disorder due to a variety of factors.
 
Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. This could occur to a person physical, emotional, and psychologically. People can experience trauma in a variety of different ways through the impact of natural disasters (fire, flood, famine, earthquake, tornados, hurricane, tsunamis, and petulance).  They may be the victim of interpersonal violence, be a victim to community violence, early childhood trauma, medical trauma, physical/sexual/verbal abuse, sex trafficking, leaving a war-torn country as a refugee, terrorism, or even traumatic loss.
 
Many individuals may never experience these traumas in their lifetime, but for those that do, it can be:

1. Acute (one incident, one time)
2. Chronic (exposure over a long period of time)
3. Complex (a variety of traumatic events and exposed over a long period of time often interpersonal in nature). 
 
Each will have its effect on the mind, body, and spirit. For those of us in the helping industries (counselors, social workers, medical staff, first responders) often experience what we call secondary trauma or vicarious trauma.
 
So what is PTSD? What are the symptoms?
 
PTSD Symptoms are a culmination of different factors. There are 4 main areas for consideration.

1. Intrusion- Intrusions look like intrusive thoughts, repeated, involuntary dreams, memories, flashbacks of the traumatic event.  It is not uncommon for people to report that he dreams or flashbacks are so vivid that they feel as if they are reliving the event.
 
2. Avoidance- Avoidance of reminders of the event by avoiding people, places, objects, situations that cause a distressing memory or feeling. They avoid sounds, smells, lights and the like that resemble what they experienced.  So think on a small scale, if you ever were in a minor car accident you may avoid driving, driving by a certain intersection, etc.  Those who have had major car accidents may avoid this long-term impacting their ability to go places due to their experiences.

3. Changes in cognition and mood including inability to remember important aspects, negative feelings and distorted belief about themselves or others, resulting in blaming ongoing strong emotions such as fear, anger, shame, guilt or even horror.  Often people will experience feeling dissociation or being detached to themselves or others, or the difficulty with experiencing happiness or personal enjoyment.

4. Arousal and Reactivity. These often leave a person more irritable, increased anger, behaving more reckless or self-destructive. They may become more hypervigilant and suspect of others’ behaviors or their surroundings. Difficulty with sleep is not uncommon, concentration challenges and startles easily.
 
 
Well, I have all the symptoms for PTSD, now what?
 
Be sure to meet with a qualified mental health professional to be assessed and rule out any other issues that may also present similarly. If one does not have experiences of trauma but has difficulty with sleeping, they are going to have difficulties with cognition, being on edge and moody.  Not everyone who experiences trauma will go on to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  So it is important to meet with a professional to rule things out.
 
We complete a long diagnostic interview and assessments and will often discuss you following up with your medical providers as well to rule out medical issues that you may or may not be aware of.  
 
Treatments can include a variety of different therapies and sometimes in conjunction with medication from a qualified psychiatrist prescribing.  Different therapies may include cognitive therapies, interpersonal, supportive, psychodynamic, prolonged exposure, somatic, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing or even Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Your counselor will help you decide what is the best option for you as you work together to develop your treatment plan.
 
Am I broken for good?
 
The short answer is No.  With the help of therapy, learning new skills and a supportive community and spiritual practices many people go on to live a full life, and not impacted by the symptoms long term. There are some who struggle and will need ongoing support through therapies for awhile, but many people are able to receive therapy and move forward in life. While I’d love to tell you it will only be 1 session or 3, often it's quite a bit more sessions. Your individual therapist will be able to guide you in what your treatment plan will look like depending on your current circumstances and point you to specialty treatments as needed.  

If you constantly feel like you're never pleasing your partner and they are constantly accusing or doubting you, you may have an overprotective partner.

What is an overprotective partner?

An overprotective partner can be someone who tries to take control of your life and restrict you from your freedom.

When a person finds themselves in love with an overprotective partner, they can feel unhappy and suffocated in their relationship. If you find yourself in this situation and feel that it's impairing your relationship, you may want to address this early on so it doesn't affect your relationship long-term.

Here are a few ways to address your partner's overprotective behavior:

1. Having an honest conversation
Being honest with your partner about your concerns while also encouraging them to open up about their fears without being judgmental can help you understand your partner better.

2. Setting boundaries
Setting boundaries with your partner may be a good next step to prevent overprotective behavior. It's important to be assertive in your boundaries, and how you will address them should they not be respected.

3. Compromise is important
Make notes on what you're willing and unwilling to compromise on in a relationship. For example, telling your partner when you're hanging out with friends to keep them in the loop.

Healthy relationships can offer a sense of support, comfort, partnership, and many other benefits. That being said, they also require working collaboratively with your partner, and yourself in ways that can feel uncomfortable. Having an overprotective partner can often have the opposite effect on us, but it's important that we remind ourselves that we are in charge of our independence and are not obligated to do things we do not want to.


References: Kedia, S. (2022, September 22). Do you have an overprotective boyfriend? 40+ signs to identify. ThePleasantRelationship. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://thepleasantrelationship.com/overprotective-boyfriend/


Wright, L. (2021, February 22). Overprotective partner? here's what you can do. Marriage Advice - Expert Marriage Tips & Advice. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/overprotective-partner/#:~:text=A%20person%20in%20love%20with,give%20up%20on%20the%20relationship.

Healthy relationships play an important role in our overall life satisfaction. Social media and the portrayal of healthy relationships in movies and tv shows can create unrealistic expectations. So what makes a healthy relationship? While there's no such thing as a perfect relationship, there are some key characteristics that can create a strong foundation for a relationship.

1. Trust and vulnerability
Trust and vulnerability are both important when it comes to relationships. If your partner isn't being vulnerable with you, it can be difficult to trust they are being their authentic selves. When you don't trust your partner, it can be difficult to feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable. When there is vulnerability and trust in a relationship, it is easier to form a deeper connection with each other.

2. Communication
Clear communication is part of a healthy, long-lasting relationship. Conflicts are inevitable in all relationships, but learning how to communicate with your partner effectively to resolve differences of opinion is key to a fulfilling relationship.

3. Teamwork
In a healthy relationship, you need to be able to work with your partner in an effective and balanced way. Who picks up the kids from school? Who washes the dishes? Who cooks dinner every day? It's not about who's doing more, but being able to find resolutions that feel good to both parties that can make you feel like a better team.

4. Independence
When you share a life and love someone, you're not obligated to spend every moment with them. It's important in a healthy relationship to have friendships and interests outside of your partnership. This will allow you to grow as an individual and no be co-dependent.

5. Have fun
Last but not least, have fun! Couples who play, laugh, and have fun together have more satisfying relationships. Play helps build intimacy, and bonding, and allows couples to feel more confident in being their authentic self.

Depression can affect not only the person who is diagnosed with it but also those who are a part of this person’s daily life. When someone is experiencing depression, they may have a difficult time engaging in daily activities, which can affect their relationships and interactions with others. Depression can have also a ripple effect on the mental health of those around the person with depression. Family members and friends may feel helpless or frustrated in their attempts to support their loved one with depression, leading to feelings of anxiety, stress, and even guilt.

Depression and how it affects your family
Depression can impact a person's ability to fulfill their roles and responsibilities within their family, such as parenting, providing emotional support, and contributing to household chores. This can cause strain and stress within the family dynamic, leading to feelings of frustration, resentment, and even guilt. Family members may feel helpless or frustrated in their attempts to support their loved one with depression, which can lead to further strain in the relationship. They may also feel like they are walking on eggshells or have to tiptoe around the person with depression, which can create tension and distance in the relationship.

Depression and how it affects friendships
Depression can have a significant impact on your relationships with friends. When someone is experiencing depression, they may withdraw from social interactions and have difficulty maintaining connections with their friends. Depression can also impact a person's ability to engage in social activities, which can make it difficult to participate in things like going out with friends or attending social gatherings. Friends may also struggle to understand what their friend with depression is going through, which can create tension or misunderstandings in the relationship. They may not know how to support their friend or feel helpless in their attempts to do so, which can also cause strain in the friendship.

If you know have any friends or family members that are dealing with depression, here are some suggestions to support them during this difficult time:

1. Listen without judgment: Let your friend know that you are there for them and that you are willing to listen to them without judgment. Encourage them to share their feelings and thoughts and avoid offering unsolicited advice or trying to "fix" their problems.
2. Offer practical support: Help your friend with tasks that may be difficult for them, such as running errands or doing chores. Offer to spend time with them doing things they enjoy, like going for a walk, watching a movie, or playing a game together. Sometimes, the little things can feel impossible for someone dealing with depression, and a helping hand can be a huge relief.
3. Encourage self-care: Encourage your friend to engage in self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. Offer to help them find resources for therapy or other forms of treatment.
4. Check-in regularly: Check in with your friend regularly to see how they are doing. Let them know that you are thinking of them and that you care about their well-being.
5. Be patient and understanding: Understand that depression can be a long-term condition, and recovery may not happen overnight. Be patient and continue to offer support and encouragement to your friend.

It is important to remember that depression is a serious mental health condition that requires treatment and support. Seeking professional help can not only benefit the person with depression but can also help to improve the quality of life for those around them. You can also join a support group yourself to learn more about how to best support your friends or family members dealing with depression.

Depression is a medical condition that negatively affects the way you feel, act, and think. Depression can have a significant impact on your daily life in many ways. Some common effects of depression can include: 

1. Loss of interest in activities: Depression can cause you to lose interest in things you used to enjoy. This can include several things, such as hobbies, socializing, or even daily tasks like cooking or cleaning.
2. Decreased energy and motivation: Depression can cause you to feel fatigued and lacking in energy, making it difficult to complete tasks or even get out of bed. This can often come with feelings of guilt, persistent sadness, and low mood.
3. Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping: Depression can disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or oversleeping. Both oversleeping and insomnia can have negative effects on our mental health. Oversleeping can cause feelings of fatigue, making it difficult to complete tasks. This can also disrupt our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it more difficult to fall asleep at night. Insomnia can also lead to feelings of frustration, and sleepiness during the day, which can contribute to feelings of depression.
4. Appetite changes: Appetite changes are a common symptom of depression, and can manifest in different ways for different people. This often results in overeating or undereating. For example, depression can cause changes in the levels of certain hormones, which can lead to the craving for certain types of food.
5. Difficulty concentrating: While this is a common symptom of depression, it can feel incredibly frustrating. Difficulty concentrating can be caused by a lack of interest in activities, feelings of fatigue, and low mood. Depression can make it difficult to concentrate or make decisions, leading to problems at work or in school. This can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and self-doubt.
6. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: When you’re faced with symptoms of depression, it can feel like a blow to your self-esteem. Depression can cause you to feel inadequate or worthless, leading to feelings of guilt and self-doubt. Negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself can become reinforced by symptoms of depression, creating a vicious cycle of negative self-talk and low mood.
7. Social withdrawal: Depression can make it difficult to interact with others, leading to isolation and loneliness, which can further exacerbate symptoms of depression. Depression can also affect the way people perceive social interactions, leading them to perceive social situations more negatively. Social anxiety is often a common co-occurring condition with depression, which further contributes to social withdrawal.
8. Physical symptoms: Depression is more than a physical symptom and can also have physical symptoms. People diagnosed with depression can experience physical symptoms such as headaches, backaches, or other types of body pain. Depression can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and constipation.
9. Lastly, depression can affect sexual desire and performance, leading to a decreased sex drive. It’s also important to note that physical symptoms may be caused by other underlying medical conditions, so it’s important to check in with your doctor to rule out any other potential causes.

When dealing with depression, it’s important to show ourselves grace. As we’ve discussed earlier, depression can lead to disruptions in sleep, appetite, and impact our quality of life.This further exacerbates feelings of fatigue and lethargy, which can make it harder to muster the energy to engage in activities or complete tasks.

It's important to seek help if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, as depression is a treatable condition with various treatment options available. There are a variety of treatment options, such as therapy, medication, and overall lifestyle changes that can help improve your overall mental health.

ow influencers are spreading misinformation about mental health

Nowadays, it seems like so much of our lives are influenced by what we see on social media. When it comes to mental health, stigma is alive and well. This stigma can present an issue in the adult and youth population, as many avoid treatment out of fear of embarrassment. When faced with a lack of social support, many turn to social media to find relatable content creators for comfort. While content creators focused on mental health are great for eliminating stigma, the rise in people using social media may not be all good news.


While social media influencers may not have ill intentions, their job is to generate views on their page for ad revenue, and they often need to create large amounts of content to engage as many users as possible. With this in mind, facts and evidence-based practices may take a backseat.

While there is nothing wrong with using personal experiences to raise awareness about mental illness, there is no "one size fits all" solution when it comes to mental health. When watching mental health content on social media, be mindful of influencers using uniform solutions for mental health issues. Oftentimes, many influencers are drawing from their limited experiences, which leads to gaps in knowledge that can result in misinformation. It's important to remind ourselves that many mental health content creators are not licensed practitioners and may not have the qualifications to offer quality mental health advice. 

Raising awareness for social media can provide support and inspire you to make a positive change. However, if you find yourself struggling with mental health, it may be best to seek a mental health professional. Social media cannot replace treatment from a therapist and can have adverse effects if we take everything that is posted online as fact.
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If you're thinking about starting therapy, finding the right therapist can be a daunting task. Here a few tips that can help you find the right therapist, and things to avoid when looking for a provider.

1. Decide what type of therapy you'd like to try.
A good first step for finding the right therapist is finding a provider that is well-versed in the type of therapy you want to try. Different types of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and person centered therapy.

2. Ask people you trust
If you have a friend or colleague that you trust, a referral can be a great way to find a therapist that is a good fit for you. While referrals are a good place to start your search, it's important to remind yourself that you might have different goals from your friends, and therapy will look different for you.

3. Be mindful of your budget
Out of pocket expenses can make it difficult to be consistent with therapy. Verifying with potential providers that they accept your insurance can help offset costs.

4. Set up a consultation call
If you feel like you've found a therapist that will be a good fit, schedule a consultation call. Therapists want to help you, and if they feel that they're not equipped to deal with your situation, they might have referrals to point you in the right direction.

5. Be open to trying different therapists
Finding the best therapist for you can take trial and error. You should not feel obligated to stick with the first therapist you meet - building a strong working relationship with your therapist is beneficial for you in the long term.


Things to avoid:

1. Waiting for a crisis before seeking help
You should not wait until you hit rock bottom to seek help. This can create a sense of urgency when looking for a therapist, and you may not give yourself enough time to find the right provider for you.

2. Therapists with no boundaries
Therapists are mental health professionals, and they should behave professionally. While therapists are meant to create a safe environment for you, they are not meant to be your friend.

3. Offering services they aren't qualified to provide.
Many therapists specialize in certain types of therapy. If they do not have the training or experience working with specific populations or methods and are advertising the opposite on their website, that is a red flag to look out for.

It can be discouraging when trying to find the right therapist, but in doing your research you may find a match that can show you all the good that therapy has to offer. ​