Memory-sustaining Enzyme May Help Treat PTSD, Cognitive Decline

Study finds chemically blocking an enzyme in a specific area in the brain’s cortex, or outer mantle, can erase a long-term memory of an aversive event that had been learned. The erasing occurred even if the blocking agent was administered weeks after the event and appeared to be permanent.

Hope vs. Fear

By Stan Hibbs, Ph.D.

Good and bad things happen. They have always happened and they always will happen. Once you've taken reasonable steps to protect yourself from the bad things, you might as well focus on the hopeful possibilities. Psychological research suggests that this kind of hopeful optimism is good for both our mental and physical health.

The Link Between PTSD and Substance Abuse

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop in some people after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. An emerging body of research has documented a very strong association between PTSD and substance abuse.

Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic situations that can trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults such as rape or mugging, military combat, natural disasters, and automobile accidents. If left untreated, PTSD can become extremely disabling.

Crisis In Our Lives: How To Help Our Children

By Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D

The emotional effects on our children of a crisis or disaster can be tremendous. One of the difficulties experienced by parents is that they have not had adequate time to deal with their own reactions when they are called upon to deal with the impact of the disaster or crisis on their child.

Coping With Traumatic Events

There are as many responses to crisis as there are people affected. Most individuals have intense feelings after a traumatic event but soon completely recover from the trauma; others are more vulnerable — especially those who have had previous traumatic experiences — and will need additional help for such conditions as anxiety, PTSD, and depression.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

By Shayna Reibman, Ph.D.

EMDR is an innovative clinical technique that has successfully helped individuals who have survived traumas including sexual abuse, domestic violence, combat, and crime, as well as a variety of other clinical complaints such as depressions, addictions, phobias, and self-esteem issues.