We often hear pet owners—particularly dog lovers—attempt to train man’s best friend to: “Roll over and play dead!” On the surface, this behavioral conditioning session appears to be just for fun and games. The owner enjoys an opportunity to develop or maintain secure attachment with the pet, and the pet looks forward to a tasty treat after compliance. However, have you ever taken a moment to … [Read more...] about Secret Lifesaver: The Freeze Response (Tonic Immobility) and Sexual Assault-related Trauma
PTSD & Trauma Related Disorders
Social Pain and the Brain: Coping with Rejection and Aiming for Posttraumatic Growth
When you’re cut, you bleed. When you experience cutoff, public ridicule, or rejection by colleagues, peers, or even your own flesh and blood…you bleed, losing copious units of the plasma-packed fluid that runs warm through your veins of socio-emotional wellness and fuels your longevity. As opposed to bleeding out and suffering, I challenge you to use your ‘trauma tourniquet’. You have the … [Read more...] about Social Pain and the Brain: Coping with Rejection and Aiming for Posttraumatic Growth
Grab the Reins: Overcoming High Levels of Negative Expressed Emotion in the Family Environment
“Snap out of it!” “What’s wrong with you?” “Don’t you dare try to tell us that we don’t love you!” The commentary from family members never seems to end. In fact, it only adds fuel to the fire, bound to create an explosion. You often wear your pain and trauma on your sleeve, and your cries for help are frequently met with anger, disappointment, and looks of confusion. Your face is … [Read more...] about Grab the Reins: Overcoming High Levels of Negative Expressed Emotion in the Family Environment
10 Things you Should Know About Women & Trauma
Whether you are a woman who has experienced a traumatic event or are wondering how to support a female partner who has experienced a traumatic event, it is helpful to know more about how gender impacts the way women experience trauma. Gender can influence the way people experience trauma due to expectations of behavior based on social/cultural gender norms, how much a person ascribes to gender … [Read more...] about 10 Things you Should Know About Women & Trauma
10 Things You Should Know About Men & Trauma
Whether you are a man who has experienced a traumatic event or are wondering how to support a male partner who has experienced a traumatic event, it is helpful to know more about how gender impacts the way men experience trauma. Gender can influence the way people experience trauma due to expectations of behavior based on social/cultural gender norms, how much a person ascribes to gender role … [Read more...] about 10 Things You Should Know About Men & Trauma
Resources for Postpartum PTSD
An all too common experience for women in the United States is that of experiencing a traumatic birth. Some of these traumatic experiences are reflected in our maternal mortality rate which has been steadily climbing for … [Read more...] about Resources for Postpartum PTSD