An Air Force vet and a former cop had a small idea that's pretty big. By Craig Winston The "tiny house" craze that is sweeping the nation gave Air Force veteran and former police officer Donnie Davis an idea. He wanted to provide tiny homes to ... | Read More
Trauma Today
Healthy Writing
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Putting pen to paper can be therapeutic By PTSDJournal Staff The Deadly Writers Patrol believes in the healing powers of writing. Initially started with a mission to provide a greater understanding of the ... | Read More
Treatment For First Responders
They help others all the time. Now, first-responders have a place to get support. By Craig Winston As first-responders, firefighters and paramedics are susceptible to trauma, and until recently, there was no dedicated facility to help them ... | Read More
Secondhand Trauma
Similar to cancer and cigarettes, you don’t have to have PTSD to be affected by it. By Brandon Lilly Parents who have PTSD may not be the only ones in the family in need. Research by Jennifer Price of Georgetown College in Kentucky shows ... | Read More
Waves to Improvement
The Alpha-Stim device treats the physical pain associated with trauma. By Dr. Jeffrey Marksberry A smartphone size device could be an instrument for providing relief from anxiety, insomnia, and depression. The Alpha-Stim instrument renders ... | Read More
Horsing Around
Columbia University Researchers Documented the Possibility that Therapy Sessions with Horses Can Treat Symptoms of PTSD By Craig Winston A somewhat daring experiment at the Bergen County Equestrian Center in Leonia, N.J. had mental health ... | Read More
Video Therapy
Daniel Lombard found video conferencing with his peers helped his recovery. Now he aims to help others with some appointment viewing.By Christine Graf Daniel Lombard as a .50-caliber gunner. Just two months after he enlisted in the Army, ... | Read More
The Healing Power of Music
When all else failed, music saved his life. In the spring of 2008, Jason Moon decided life was no longer worth living. He grabbed a handful of pills and washed them down with swigs of whiskey. His world had been falling apart since 2004 when ... | Read More
K-9 Therapy
When a vet returns home, these dogs are more than best friends. By PTSDJournal Staff There are many programs designed to support veterans returning home from combat. The difficulty of veterans adjusting to civilian life, and finding ways ... | Read More
Honor Death to Find Peace
A doctor has a theory on how soldiers can heal their souls.By Christine Graf The father to son tradition continues in the Brooke family. When Dr. Roger Brooke graduated from high school in 1972, he did what all-white South African males were ... | Read More
Healthy Writing Has Healing Powers
Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels The Deadly Writers Patrol believes in the healing powers of writing. Initially started with a mission to provide a greater understanding of the Vietnam era and the war’s effect, the DWP has evolved as a new ... | Read More
Focused Treatment
Sovereign Health Group’s approach to healing its clients begins with an emphasis on designing programs that fit specific communities and ailments.By PTSDJournal Staff Photo by Miggy Rivera from Pexels Dr. Susanne Drury knew the staff at ... | Read More
Early Intervention
When trauma strikes, immediate attention may be the best cure.By Michelle Yakobson Image by fernando zhiminaicela from Pixabay When we talk about treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dialogue usually focuses on time. In most settings and ... | Read More
Phone Calls Prove Helpful Treating PTSD
Veterans in rural areas find telemedicine, a simple way to the care they need. By Brandon Lilly While studying the effectiveness of mental health services for veterans returning from active military duty abroad, Dr. John Fortney, a ... | Read More
Disabled American Veterans Survey Dictates Support Effort
A study by the DAV found Veterans feel let down. The next step is putting in place programs that lead to a change. Special for PTSDJournal By DAV Staff In November 2015, Disabled American Veterans released a nationwide survey of veterans ... | Read More
Visiting Vietnam Proves To Be A Cure For Veterans
A psychologists' book led to the discovery and formation of a transformative nonprofit -- Soldier's Heart. By Christine Graf Dr. Edward Tick grew up in New York City, surrounded by World War II veterans, including his late uncle, a medic at ... | Read More
A Mom Found Writing About Her PTSD Became Her Therapy
Words helped to make sense of the trauma that was impacting her life. By Kathy Parker People speak of defining moments in their lives, exact seconds, or minutes that change everything. There are very few of those moments that stand out amid ... | Read More
Boxing Program Provides Veterans With Some Healing Techniques
With an emphasis on fitness, not fighting, Veterans are getting healing. By Evan Bleier Located under the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge on the Brooklyn side of the East River, Gleason’s Gym has been the home of some of boxing’s most ... | Read More
Veterans Get Hooked on Recovery Through Fly Fishing
It’s therapeutic and reduces the symptoms of PTSD and depression By Patrick M. Scanlon Bobbie is small, whippet-thin, and given to quick, bird-like movements. She speaks in explosive bursts but at low volume, each statement followed by a ... | Read More
Soldiers Get Musical Training
Voices of Valor is showing tunes are also medicinal.By Andre Carter Vietnam veteran Noel Dunn Six one-syllable words mark the beginning of the renaissance in Noel Dunn's life. The music verse, which was crafted by the Vietnam veteran, is the ... | Read More
7 Tips for Caregivers of People with PTSD
With all the focus on the folks suffering trauma and coping with PTSD, caregivers are the heroes overlooked.By Dan Pitzer Caretaker helping elderly woman with walking frame outdoors Caregivers caring for those with PTSD often don’t realize that ... | Read More
Early Intervention is the Key to Suppressing the Impact of Trauma
When trauma strikes, immediate attention may be the best cure.By Michelle Yakobson When we talk about treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dialogue usually focuses on time. In most settings and most capacities—clinically, socially, ... | Read More
Support Groups for Trauma
Need help? These local organizations can provide access to care anywhere. New York City’s Safe Horizon: A model program for victims of domestic abuse. Individual, family and group counseling is available at shelters and offices throughout the ... | Read More
What’s in a Name?
There is a push within the military to eliminate the term “disorder” from PTSD. It sounds like a good idea. But is it?By Dr. Mark Hammel With the publication of DSM-III in 1980, Vietnam veterans finally had a diagnosis for their afflictions of ... | Read More
Trauma in Youth Employment
Studies show young adults in urban cities can find a job, but stressful environments prevent them from staying employed.By Dr. Dale G. Caldwell Urban communities are in an employment income crisis. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator ... | Read More
TRE Equals Treating Trauma with Exercise
Achieving a state of balance for the body is the goal.By Christine Graf After living in war zones in Africa and the Middle East, trauma intervention specialist Dr. David Berceli developed Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) to help the body ... | Read More
Mindfulness Is Meditation for Trauma and PTSD
What is it, and does it help?By Sharon Picone If you have PTSD, you know firsthand that it consumes you. It affects your mind, your eating habits, and your sleep. Anxiety and depression set in. It is hard to cope with everyday activities. ... | Read More
How Trauma Leads to Drama in the Classroom
Quality instruction begins with teachers connecting with students. What happens before the bell rings can be just as important.By Dr. Dale G. Caldwell The tiny first-grader climbed up the arm of the teacher and started choking her with all of ... | Read More
ART Therapy
The nonprofit Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is one of the latest treatments for traumaBy PTSDJournal Staff Therapist Laney Rosenzweig conceived ART in 2008. The therapy combines techniques from other successful psychotherapies, ... | Read More
The Gift of Homeopathy
There are many medicines and treatments for trauma, but some believe success starts within the patient.By Dr. Kenneth Silvestri Homeopathy is a safe example of healing. Founded by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the 19th century, it ... | Read More
River Rafting Is Healing For Veterans
Hiking, swimming, and rafting. It sounds like fun, right? For veterans, it’s a therapeutic blend to recovery. By Christine Graf When Margery Hermann saw the “disgraceful” way Vietnam veterans were treated upon returning home from war, she ... | Read More
PTSD Support Tips
Helping someone with PTSD can be difficult. The author explains how to deal and heal.By Dan Pitzer PTSD is a syndrome, a collection of symptoms that can vary from person to person, yet have many characteristics in common. Folks with PTSD ... | Read More
10 Questions with…Senator Cory Booker
Cory Booker is on the presidential campaign trail, but when we sat down with him in his office in Newark, N.J., his focus on mental health and improved care for veterans was clear as the blue sky outside the windows. What are your thoughts on ... | Read More
PTSD Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
The Veterans Administration’s list provides what to look for and what to do to help someone suffering from PTSD or a traumatic event. Causes: Combat ExposureChild Sexual or Physical AbuseTerrorist AttackSerious AccidentSexual/Physical ... | Read More
Memories Trigger PTSD and Addiction
Despite being different mental disorders, addiction and PTSD can both stem from deep-rooted memories. By Sonia Tagliareni Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a chronic and debilitating condition that sets in after traumatic events such as ... | Read More
Yoga Can Heal The Impact of Trauma
By Tresca Weinstein J. L. Pizarro wears a silver bracelet with the engraving “Doc, Thank You.” It was given to him by several of the countless soldiers whose lives he saved during his deployment as a combat medic during the Vietnam War, and it is ... | Read More
Outside Activity Is Good For The Body and Soul
By Marisa M. Tomasic, Ph.D. Imagine for a moment walking along a path in the forest, a cascade of green highlighting the landscape as you savor the abundance of sights, sounds, and soothing aromas of nature. You feel present, taking in the moment. ... | Read More
Mindfulness Can Ease Anxiety
Treating anxiety starts with one’s own mind. By Dr. Marisa Tomasic, Ph.D. Anyone who has suffered from anxiety can undeniably relate that it takes away the ability to experience the joyful moments of daily living. While the majority of people ... | Read More
PTSDesign
Houseplants Improve Health and Well-Being By Kenneth A. Gruskin, AIA Research estimates a person spends 85-percent of life indoors. Obtaining meaningful access to visible and physical “natural” and “green” outdoor spaces is a challenge for ... | Read More
10 Questions With…Jamie Heywood
Co-Founder and Chairman, PatientsLikeMe.com Helping his brother deal with ALS sparked Heywood’s desire to find a way to support others in a similar situation. By PTSDJournal Staff What is PatientsLikeMe? JH: We’re a free website ... | Read More
Telemedicine
Phone calls may be better than house calls for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. By Brandon Lilly While studying the effectiveness of mental health services for veterans returning from active military duty abroad, Dr. John Fortney, ... | Read More
Kaiser’s Study Results in an Ace
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study connected adolescent experiences with triggering PTSD in adulthood. By PTSDJournal Staff Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a punishing psychological condition that most frequently diagnosed in combat ... | Read More
What’s in Your Stress-Relief Toolkit?
Here are some simple, science-backed solutions to try out.By Marisa M. Tomasic, Ph.D Coming up with a plan to best handle stress requires thought. Depending on the nature of the stressor or one’s previous coping style, the very idea of ... | Read More
Fine Art
A Marine Makes Ceramic Cups To Tell Stories of War By Christine Graf Ehren Tool (left) and Vietnam veteran Michael Aschenbrenner at a project in Oregon. Ehren Tool remembers the day he told his grandfather, a World War II Marine veteran, that ... | Read More
Food for Thought
These snacks are healthy for the brain.By PTSDJournal Staff Blueberries Research suggests that compounds in blueberries known as flavonoids may improve memory, learning, and general cognitive function, including reasoning skills, ... | Read More
Beating the Odds
With the help of wrestler Dallas Diamond Page, Arthur Boorman found life again. By Andre Carter “I CAN DO THIS.” Arthur Boorman wrote those four simple words in a 2007 email to DDP Yoga founder Diamond Dallas Page. The retired Army Airborne ... | Read More
Please Tell Someone Directly
The author found happiness by working on himself to overcome struggles with anxiety and depression. By Bill Edson Bill Edson is no longer looking down on himself, thanks to his own self-help theory. My Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ... | Read More
10 Questions With … Cristina Fernandez
The psychiatric epidemiologist served at Harvard University and held academic appointments at the Miami VA healthcare system, the University of Miami School of Medicine, and served on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Traumatic ... | Read More
How To Flee Domestic Abuse and Violence
By Nora Hood Leaving an abusive relationship is an emotionally jarring ordeal. Women often put off making such a wrenching decision in the belief that their partner will change or out of fear of a violent response if they leave. The choice ... | Read More
Brain Bank
Researchers can now collectively deposit information on the impact of PTSD on the brain. By Evan Bleier Dr. Matthew Friedman, the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center senior advisor and National PTSD Brain Bank (NPBB) founder ... | Read More