PTSD: Symptoms, Facts and Finding Support

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as persistent and invasive thoughts of being in danger or reliving a traumatic event when they are not in immediate danger or within the traumatic event. Some people may associate PTSD with people who have experienced some form of war combat; however PTSD affects every 8^th person out of 100. PTSD can be result from vicarious trauma, experiencing traumatic events (war, sexual assault, abuse, etc.)or experiencing a sudden or violent death of a loved one.  Symptoms of PTSD can be present immediately or start a year after the event. The symptoms have to be severe enough to interfere in relationships, work and personal life.

The major diagnostic criteria, as defined by the National Institute of Mental Health, are

• At least one re-experiencing symptom
• At least one avoidance symptom
• At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
• At least two cognition and mood symptoms

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America offer a more in depth symptoms and causes list. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, on the other hand, provides more information on causes, co-morbid disorders and treatment.

The importance on knowing this information lies on the fact that we don’t all experience trauma in the same way. Some of us are less resilient than others, and that is okay. What is not okay is shaming others for not being able to process difficult situations faster or in a healthier way than others. Trauma is the common cold of mental disorders; we all have experienced it at least once in our lives. It may not turn into a chronic mental disorder, but it is present and it reshapes how we perceive life. Trauma can lead us to feel stunted emotionally and psychologically. It could leave us hyper-vigilant or perpetually scared. Trauma is a pervasive mental health problem that needs to be taken seriously.

Experiencing trauma and being affected by it does not make us weak; it makes us human. Being able to seek help and treatment is key and necessary for a healthy recovery. I offer you this page that helps screen for potential PTSD symptoms. It is by no means a diagnostic test but rather a screening test. For major concerns and actual diagnostic test contact your psychologist, counselor and/ or your psychiatrist.

Signing off,

TWS

Eating Disorders: Finding Healing in Art

Eating disorders can be mistaken as fad diets or a phase. Eating disorders are extreme, rigid and unhealthy behaviors, believes and thoughts regarding body image, food intake or exercise. Eating disorders have affected over 20 million women and 10 million men at some point in their lives. These rigid and unhealthy behaviors usually lead to health problems, suicide and/or death.

Health problems range from muscle and bone deterioration, heart failure, tooth decay, chronic irregular bowel movements, and many others. The health problems differ depending on the eating disorder that the client may have. Nevertheless, if not treated eating disorders can be fatal. Much like other mental disorders, eating disorders are detrimental at a psychological, emotional and social level.

When working with people with eating disorders it is important to provide as much help and support as possible; much like any other mental disorder. People with eating disorders are not only suffering from a  psychological  and emotional component that reinstates the distorted beliefs of their unhealthy eating/binging/or not eating practices, these practices also impact their body and how it functions. Even though eating disorders are mental disorders, at times of crisis, it is beneficial to attend to their deteriorating body first.

Once the body has recovered, therapy should be applied to help untangle unhealthy behavior, thoughts and beliefs. Art-based therapies can also be helpful to people who have eating disorders because the interventions focus on exploring all aspects of the self. Art-based interventions focus on awakening the numbing that comes from anger, self-harm and denial. It helps the client explore unresolved emotions as well as toxic thoughts and distorted beliefs about the self and the body.

Art-based interventions work towards exploring thoughts and feelings that have led a person to compulsive eating, binging, purging, starving, over-exercising, and other harmful practices. In her article How can art therapy be used to treat eating disorders?, Laura Oliver, explains that art-based interventions provide a safe and healthy space for self-exploration, growth and meaning making. Art-based interventions provide a symbolic option, where images are the main form of communication. This helps clients go deeper than just words, thus eliminating negative labels and personal judgement.

Most people shy away from art-based interventions as they feel that they are not artistic enough. However, art-based interventions focus on the process and journey of the creation and not the end product of the journey. It is within the process that clients find understanding and hope.

Having resources and information about eating disorders and how to help can be beneficial and can save someone you love. Please review the National Eating Disorders page for information about types of eating disorder, symptoms, health problems, and how to help.

Signing off,

TWS

P.S. Also visit the webpages of treatment centers that offer art-based interventions such as: Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt and Remuda Ranch at the Meadows

National Alliance on Mental Illness

The hardest part about mental illnesses is seeking out help. It becomes a snowball process of recognizing that something is not right, that you need help and searching for that help. Though the process may seem linear, in reality it is everything but linear.

When being diagnosed we fear being labeled, we fear not getting the right treatment we fear never getting better. Once that first wave has passed and you feel stable, something—anything – can rock that stability. Mental illnesses are a holistic problem that encompasses all aspects of one’s life and when one part of your life is under attack, your foundation will be tested.

Falling back into old habits (self-harm, suicidal tendencies, psychotic breaks, etc.) can be discouraging after you have reached a great amount of progress. Nevertheless, it does not mean that you are a failure. It means that you are human and that getting better is a never ending process.

Yes, ‘never-ending process’ sounds exhausting but it is never the same path. You will see similar stop signs and pot holes on your way to getting better but the results will be different. Never be discouraged by your setbacks, nothing in life is linear.

One of the things is helpful is to seek out help and talk to people who understand you and know what you’re going through. The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a plethora of resources for people who have been diagnosed with mental disorders. They offer resources for LGBT folk, veterans, families, youths and others.

They also have a new app (NAMI AIR) that provides an anonymous space for sharing your experiences, successes and hardships regarding mental health.  It includes:

NAMI AIR is intended to provide another way for people to find and give support, to connect with others through smart phone and computer tablet.

• NAMI AIR encourages users to anonymously share their stories and receive feedback in the form of social interactions such as “like,” “hug” and “me too.”
• Also allows users to access information on how to get help, learn more about NAMI and connect with the NAMI HelpLine.
• NAMI AIR facilitates personal connections with others who may be going through, or have been through, similar situations. Users are anonymous but not alone

Signing off,

TWS

Mental Health Myths

One of the factors that encourage the stigma of mental health is misinformation. In a world where reliable resources are hard to find, it’s important to be critical and proactive about being informed.

Mental illnesses are viewed as everything but illnesses. They are seen as temporary moods, defining labels for a person’s personality, and even attention-seeking tactics. In reality, mental illnesses are none of these things. Mental illnesses have socially, physically, mentally, and emotionally debilitating symptoms.

Here is a small video that covers the most prevalent misconceptions about mental health. If you have other sources you would like to share, feel free to comment below.

Signing off,

TWS

“Waking up every day to face the systems that oppress them…”

Talking about mental disorders is usually frowned upon. It tends to be shamed and shunned by those who do not understand or do not have it. People who are diagnosed with mental disorders are stereotyped and given unrealistic expectations of how they should care and cure themselves.  This leads the person with mental disorder to feel stigmatized and alienated. They feel pressured to either play the part of the ‘sick’ patient so that people believe that their illness is real, or to overcompensate and be overachievers so that they are not seen as ‘sick’.

Being sick is not always physical. Mental disorders are real and painful. Mental disorders are debilitating and disruptive. Not being able to be seen and believed, as a person with a mental disorder, limits their possibilities in the work place, schools and private life.

As an example, I offer this video of Emma Harrison from the University of Ottawa. She talks about her experience as a student who has a disability and a mental disorder.  Her brutal honesty about her journey helps place in perspective the struggle students like her go through in spaces that choose to ignore her disabilities and mental disorder as real problems.

Signing off,

TWS

Mental Health Resources

In this time of change and resistance it’s important to care for yourself and yours. A pervasive problem in today’s society is mental disorders, yet they are rarely talked about, seen or understood. Mental disorders can interrupt your personal life, your work life, love life and how you relate to others. Even though most (not all) mental disorders are caused by genetic variables, the environment in which we are placed (or forced into) can exacerbate the disorders or bring them to light.

In these times where there is so much psychological warfare, as well as actual warfare, I find it important to keep ourselves in check. To care for who we are and find a baseline for our emotions and psyche. Discrimination, advocacy, even silence, in these times of hardship can cause a strain in one’s emotional and psychological well being.

I offer you, or you can offer others options and resources for taking care of their mental health. Please feel free to peruse and share this site (Mental Health. Gov) that contains different information and resources on mental disorders in English and Spanish.

Signing off,

TWS