Blog posts with the tag "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder"

Research Update: 27 June 2019

By Shirl Kennedy  on 27.06.2019 11:50 am
Research Update icon

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:
● Causes of Excess Mortality in Veterans Treated for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
● Examining the relation between PTSD and insomnia on aggression.
● The Impact of Negative Attributions on the Link Between Observed Partner Social Support and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity.
● “You’re Missing Out on Something Great”: Patient and Provider Perspectives on Increasing the Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.

Staff Perspective: Faith Heals - Integrating Spirituality to Treat Moral Injury Associated with Combat-Related PTSD

By Kimberly Copeland  on 26.06.2019 9:23 am
Kimberly A. Copeland, Psy.D.

During my recent research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatments, I have been spending more time reading about moral injury and reflecting on therapeutic practices that incorporate tools such as forgiveness and spirituality into the healing process. I have worked with clients of different faith backgrounds and different spiritual practices. I am careful to ask questions in order to assess what this means to the individual, as I know my own faith expression and experience may be very different from their own. I have worked with clients who are Buddhist, Islamic, Jewish, Wiccan and all have taught me a great deal and we have worked well together. If a client tells me their faith is important to them and wishes we integrate it into treatment, we work on this.

Staff Perspective: Addressing Anger in PTSD Treatment

By Laura Copland  on 19.06.2019 8:55 am

Let’s take a look at a specific model of CBT to treat anger. The premise of this treatment model is that anger develops from unmet expectations. Norman Cotterell, Ph.D., Clinical Coordinator, Beck Institute, puts it this way: “We expect people to treat us fairly and they don’t. We expect children to respect the wishes of their elders and they don’t. We expect the government to have our needs at heart and it doesn’t. Each time there is a gap between expectation and reality, anger is more than willing to fill in that gap. We may decline. We may accept. But it’s important to know that it’s a choice we are making” *. Perceived loss of control for getting important values met causes anger. 

Staff Perspective: Treating Post-Traumatic Nightmares

By Diana Dolan  on 12.06.2019 8:53 am
Diana Dolan, Ph.D., CBSM

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). 

Staff Perspective: Mindfulness for PTSD? Maybe It's Best to Sit on the Fence...For Now

By Andrew Santanello  on 05.06.2019 8:50 am
Andrew Santanello, Psy.D.

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.” 

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