What is one of the most common symptoms that comes to mind when you think of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? If you thought of nightmares, you’re not wrong. In fact, up to 61% of people who have PTSD experience nightmares on a regular basis (Pigeon, Campbell, Possemato, & Ouimette, 2013).
7-8%
The percentage of the population that "will have PTSD at some point in their lives," according to the VA's National Center for PTSD.
Going through trauma is not rare. About 6 of every 10 men (or 60%) and 5 of every 10 women (or 50%) experience at least one trauma in their lives. Women are more likely to experience sexual assault and child sexual abuse.
Welcome to this week’s edition of CDP News! We like to use this space to review recent happenings in and around the Center for Deployment Psychology, while also looking ahead to upcoming events. June is off to a bang-up start and we're looking to keep the momentum going!
The weekly Research Update contains the latest news, journal articles, useful links from around the web. As part of PTSD Awareness month, we've got a handful of specific PTSD-related topics and more! Some of this week's topics include:
● PTSD Monthly Update -- Three Easy Steps for You to Share PTSD Awareness
● Happiness, Meaning in Life, and PTSD Symptoms Among National Guard Personnel: A Multilevel Analysis.
● Military Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Qualitative Systematic Review of the Experience of Families, Parents and Children.
● Social Ties and Suicidal Ideation Among Veterans Referred to a Primary Care– Mental Health Integration Program.
Several years ago, I attended an all-day Zen retreat with Claude AnShin Thomas (AnShin means “peaceful mind”). After several hours of silent zazen (seated breath awareness meditation), I had the opportunity to meet with AnShin for a private interview. Although we only spoke for a brief period of time, one thing that he said really stuck with me. I can’t remember his exact words, but I remember him saying something like, “The challenge for combat Veterans like me who have had the illusion of themis (divine order, fairness, law) shattered is to learn to live with their new reality. Dying is easy. We know how to do that.”