PTSD

15 Sep

Posted at 23:22h in Addiction, addiction-treatment, PTSD

Mental Health and Addiction Notice: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call 911 in an emergency. For substance use treatment referrals, contact SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7). Do not stop using alcohol or other substances abruptly without medical supervision, as withdrawal can be life-threatening.

When a veteran walks into a clinic reporting alcohol problems, the clinical response usually focuses on the drinking. What gets missed is the question underneath: what happened to this man before the drinking started? Co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder in men, particularly veterans and first responders, is not a rare case. It is the norm. Treating one condition first and the other later does not work. They need to be addressed at the same time. According to the VA National Center for PTSD, substance use problems are among the most common co-occurring conditions in veterans with PTSD, and the relationship between the two conditions is bidirectional — trauma drives substance use, and substance use can worsen trauma symptoms over time.

[caption id="attachment_76023" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Trauma and Addiction in Men-pexels.jpg Photo by RDNE Stock project[/caption]

20 Aug

Posted at 23:36h in Mental Health Research, PTSD

Mental Health Notice: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call 911 in an emergency.

Key Takeaways

  • Trauma responses can affect the body, emotions, thoughts, relationships, and routines.
  • Triggers are reminders that can prompt the nervous system to react as if danger were happening now.
  • Grounding and coping skills may help reduce distress in the moment.
  • Recovery is often gradual, and difficult days do not cancel meaningful progress.
  • Trauma-focused therapies can be tailored to a person's symptoms, history, goals, and sense of safety.

Trauma does not always look dramatic from the outside. Someone may be successful at work, attentive to family, and active socially while privately feeling tense, disconnected, exhausted, or constantly on guard. Recovery begins with recognizing that these responses can be understandable adaptations to experiences that once felt overwhelming, unsafe, or out of control.

For people looking for structured professional support, EMDR Therapy Chicago may be one option to explore alongside other trauma-informed approaches. The right path is personal. It should account for current symptoms, practical needs, past treatment experiences, and the pace that feels manageable.

[caption id="attachment_75675" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Trauma Recovery In Daily Life Photo by MART PRODUCTION[/caption]

25 Jul

Posted at 16:39h in PTSD

Mental Health Notice: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please seek help immediately. Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call 911 in an emergency.

Experiencing a traumatic event can change the way a person thinks, feels, and responds to the world around them. While many people gradually recover with time, others continue to struggle with symptoms that affect their daily lives. When these symptoms persist, they may be signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Recognizing PTSD early can make a meaningful difference in recovery. Seeking professional care gives individuals the opportunity to address their symptoms before they begin to impact relationships, work, and overall well-being. If you are searching for PTSD Therapy Nashville, understanding the warning signs is an important first step. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is a recognized mental health condition that develops in some people after experiencing a shocking, scary, or dangerous event — and effective, evidence-based treatments are available. Research on treatment approaches for resistant PTSD continues to expand the options available to patients who have not responded to first-line therapies.

[caption id="attachment_75236" align="aligncenter" width="500"]ptsd help Photo by MART PRODUCTION[/caption]

10 Jun

Posted at 01:45h in PTSD

Complex PTSD develops from repeated or prolonged trauma and affects emotional regulation, self-image, and relationships. Here is a complete guide to C-PTSD symptoms, causes, and evidence-based treatment approaches. ...

30 Apr

Posted at 14:35h in PTSD
  [caption id="attachment_73553" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Freepix image[/caption]

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.

Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol conditions, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, visit FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).

U.S. veterans or service members in crisis can call 988 then press "1" for the Veterans Crisis Line, text 838255, or chat online.

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has a Spanish language line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).

Two veterans walk into the same clinic. Both have nightmares. Both startle at fireworks. Both have been told they have PTSD. One responds well to a standard twelve-week trauma protocol. The other gets worse. The difference is rarely about effort, willingness, or "how bad" the trauma was. It's often about which kind of post-traumatic injury they're actually carrying — and whether the treatment plan was built for it.

27 Nov

Posted at 11:46h in Author Interviews, Mental Health Research, PTSD
[caption id="attachment_71569" align="aligncenter" width="500"]CPTSD Pexels[/caption] Complex post-traumatic stress disorder, often shortened to CPTSD or cPTSD, has moved from a niche clinical idea to a term many people now use for their own lived experience. At the same time, it is still not listed as a standalone diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). That leaves many people asking a very specific question: Will CPTSD be added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2026? The most accurate answer is that there is currently no official commitment to adding complex PTSD to the DSM in 2026. As of late 2025, CPTSD is recognized in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition (ICD-11), but not in the DSM-5 Text Revision (DSM-5 TR). Clinicians and researchers are actively debating whether a new CPTSD diagnosis should be included in a future DSM edition, yet no formal decision or fixed timeline has been announced. The question itself opens the door to important issues and questions, which MedicalResearch.com will review and address in this article. How do major diagnostic manuals change over time? Why is CPTSD in the ICD but not in the DSM? And what does any of this mean if you or someone you love is living with the effects of long-term trauma?

28 May

Posted at 11:01h in Legal-Malpractice, PTSD
[caption id="attachment_68821" align="aligncenter" width="500"]ptsd-affects-legal-outcomes Photo by RDNE Stock project[/caption] PTSD is experienced by about 5% or roughly 13 million Americans. An individual who is exposed to or has witnessed a traumatic incident can develop a condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Contributing incidents can include sexual violence, physical abuse, natural disasters, or serious accidents. PTSD lawyer Jeffrey D. Wolf recommends that if an individual has PTSD, it is important to call a medical professional to testify regarding the diagnosis of the disorder and the future treatment required to treat the patient. Psychological trauma, as is the case with physical injuries, can impact personal injury claims and lawsuits. The adverse effects of PTSD are acknowledged by courts and insurance companies. This article will explore how PTSD is evaluated in personal injury cases and the steps you can take to strengthen your claim.

23 May

Posted at 18:37h in Mental Health Research, PTSD
[caption id="attachment_68711" align="aligncenter" width="500"]veterans-trauma-ptsd Source[/caption]

Trauma Leaves Deep Marks—But It Doesn’t Have to Define You

For many people, trauma is not just a memory—it’s a constant undercurrent. It shapes the way you think, feel, and respond to the world around you. Whether it's the result of childhood abuse, loss, violence, or years of chronic stress, unresolved trauma can disrupt every area of life—from relationships and career to sleep, physical health, and emotional regulation. That’s why effective trauma recovery isn’t just about managing symptoms. It’s about addressing the root cause. And in many cases, that requires stepping into a safe, immersive environment designed specifically for healing. Programs that offer residential treatment for trauma provide that space—where time, structure, and support converge to create real transformation.

28 Apr

Posted at 11:23h in Legal-Malpractice, Mental Health Research, Occupational Health, PTSD
The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Proving Emotional Distress Emotional injury is the psychological pain inflicted by another's act or failure to act, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. In Jackson's court cases, such as workers' compensation or personal injury, one needs to establish such effects, although it is difficult because there is no physical evidence. If you're looking for a claim of emotional distress, a personal injury lawyer in Jackson can help you navigate the process. The professional can also ensure mental health professionals affirm your claim so that the case becomes more sound through professional diagnoses and reports. Let us take a look at the major role that mental health practitioners play in determining emotional distress and how their presence can seal a case.

02 Dec

Posted at 16:37h in PTSD, Social Issues, Veterans
Veterans returning from service often carry the invisible burdens of their experiences, making the transition to civilian life a challenging journey. Mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety can make it difficult for many veterans to reintegrate, often leading to unemployment, relationship struggles, and, for far too many, homelessness. While the causes of veteran homelessness are complex, a major factor is untreated or inadequately treated mental health issues. Addressing these mental health needs through timely and effective support is essential in reducing homelessness among veterans. [caption id="attachment_65241" align="aligncenter" width="500"]veterans-veteran-homeless Photo by RDNE Stock project[/caption]

The Connection Between Mental Health and Homelessness

Research has shown that veterans are at a significantly higher risk of homelessness than the general population. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), veterans make up a sizable portion of the homeless population, with mental health challenges being one of the primary contributors. Conditions like PTSD and depression often stem from experiences in combat zones, which can include exposure to violence, the loss of fellow soldiers, and extended periods of high stress. These mental health conditions not only create emotional and psychological distress but can also disrupt a veteran’s ability to secure stable employment, form supportive relationships, and engage with their community. For instance, untreated PTSD can lead to symptoms such as hypervigilance, sleep disorders, and emotional numbness, all of which can interfere with daily life. Without treatment, veterans may find themselves isolated, unable to hold a steady job, and financially insecure—factors that often lead to homelessness.

06 Oct

Posted at 06:00h in PTSD
Even when you have had the best military training available it is almost impossible to prepare your mind and body for the violence and traumatic experiences you might endure during active service. The threat of PTSD and other health issues is very real, such as veterans experiencing shell shock and still trying to process that experience many years later. Here is a look at some of the main health issues that a veteran might experience. Mental health challenges ptsd-veterans-warWearing the physical scars of war is just one side of the story. Many veterans can suffer significant mental health challenges long after they retire from active duty. The very real threat of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been well publicized in recent years. It is estimated that PTSD affects as many as 15% of veterans who fought in the Iraq war, for instance. Depression and alcohol abuse are other mental health issues faced by a percentage of veterans.

27 Jul

Posted at 23:12h in Author Interviews, PLoS, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_59346" align="alignleft" width="150"]Clare Jensen O’Haire Research Team Center for the Human-Animal Bond Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Clare Jensen[/caption] Clare Jensen O’Haire Research Team Center for the Human-Animal Bond Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine MedicalResearch.com:  What is the background for this study?  Response: Service dogs for PTSD are becoming more common and the evidence shows they can help improve mental health and quality of life for many veterans with PTSD. However, some veterans benefit more than others. Our research goal was to ask for the very first time: Why?

07 May

Posted at 09:44h in Author Interviews, Columbia, COVID -19 Coronavirus, Depression, Mental Health Research, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_57358" align="alignleft" width="137"]João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia, MD, PhD (he/him) NIDA INVEST Drug Abuse Research Fellow Policy and Health Initiatives on Opioids and Other Substances (PHIOS) Department of Epidemiology Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University New York, NY 10032 Dr. Castaldelli-Maia[/caption] João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia, MD, PhD (he/him) NIDA INVEST Drug Abuse Research Fellow Policy and Health Initiatives on Opioids and Other Substances (PHIOS) Department of Epidemiology Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University New York, NY 10032 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response:     It remains unclear whether COVID-19 is associated with psychiatric symptoms during or after the acute illness phase. Being affected by the disease exposes the individual to an uncertain prognosis and a state of quarantine. These factors can predispose individuals to the development of mental symptoms during or after the acute phase of the disease. There is a need for prospective studies assessing psychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients in the post-infection period.

21 Oct

Posted at 21:37h in Author Interviews, Depression, Mental Health Research, Nature, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_55709" align="alignleft" width="125"]Amit Etkin, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford Universitu Stanford, CA Dr. Etkin[/caption] Amit Etkin, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford Universitu Stanford, CA    MedicalResearch.com: What is the mission of Cohen Veterans Bioscience - CVB?  Cohen Veterans Bioscience Response: Cohen Veterans Bioscience (CVB) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) research biotech dedicated to fast-tracking the development of diagnostic tests and personalized therapeutics for the millions of Veterans and civilians who suffer the devastating effects of trauma-related and other brain disorders.     MedicalResearch.com: How can patients with PTSD or MDD benefit from this information? Response: With the discovery of this new brain imaging biomarker, patients who suffer from PTSD or MDD may be guided towards the most effective treatment without waiting months and months to find a treatment that may work for them.   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: This study, which was supported with a grant from Cohen Veterans Bioscience, grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH and other supporters, derives from our work over the past few years which has pointed to the critical importance of understanding how patients with a variety of psychiatric disorders differ biologically. The shortcomings of our current diagnostic system have become very clear over the past 1-2 decades, but the availability of tools for transcending these limitations on the back of objective biological tests has not kept pace with the need for those tools. In prior work, we have used a variety of methods, including different types of brain imaging, to identify brain signals that underpin key biological differences within and across traditional psychiatric diagnoses. We have also developed specialized AI tools for decoding complex patterns of brain activity in order to understand and quantify biological heterogeneity in individual patients. These developments have then, in turn, converged with the completion of a number of large brain imaging-coupled clinical trials, which have provided a scale of these types of data not previously available in the field.

20 Nov

Posted at 16:39h in Accidents & Violence, Author Interviews, PTSD, Surgical Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_52215" align="alignleft" width="147"]Michael A. Vella, M.D., M.B.A. Assistant Professor of Surgery Division of Acute Care Surgery and Trauma University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Dr. Vella[/caption] Michael A. Vella, M.D., M.B.A. Assistant Professor of Surgery Division of Acute Care Surgery and Trauma University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: There is a lot of (appropriate) focus on the mortality statistics related to gun violence, but sometimes we forget about the large number of survivors of gunshot wounds.  We wanted to specifically look at the long term physical and mental health outcomes in this patient population.

21 Aug

Posted at 17:16h in Author Interviews, Diabetes, JAMA, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_50945" align="alignleft" width="174"]Jeff Scherrer, Ph.D. Associate professor; Research director Department of Family and Community Medicine Saint Louis University Center for Health Outcomes Research Dr. Jeff Scherrer[/caption] Jeff Scherrer, Ph.D. Associate professor; Research director Department of Family and Community Medicine Saint Louis University Center for Health Outcomes Research  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: This study was part of a larger NIH grant to determine if PTSD is associated with poor health behaviors and subsequently whether PTSD remains an independent risk factor for diabetes and heart disease.  Our second focus of the grant was to measure if those patients who experience clinically meaningful PTSD improvement have improved health behaviors (e.g. seeking help to lose weight) and a lower risk for diabetes and heart disease. The rationale for this study of PTSD improvement and lower risk for diabetes is supported from other investigators' findings that PTSD treatment completion is often followed by improvement in sleep, depression, pain and general physical complaints and lower blood pressure.  Because we have found the association between PTSD and incident diabetes is largely explained by obesity, depression and other comorbid conditions that are more common in patients with vs. without PTSD, we hypothesized that improvements in PTSD would be associated with lower risk of diabetes either directly or due to improvements in these comorbid diabetes risk factors.

13 Jun

Posted at 15:55h in Author Interviews, JAMA, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_49746" align="alignleft" width="178"]Dr. Heike Gerger | Senior Postdoc University of Basel | Faculty of Psychology | Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Basel | Switzerland Dr. Gerger[/caption] Dr. Heike Gerger | Senior Postdoc University of Basel | Faculty of Psychology | Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Basel | Switzerland MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, with a high risk of chronicity, comorbidity, and functional impairment. PTSD is complicated to treat, and the debate on the most efficacious treatment approach is ongoing. Treatment guidelines for the treatment of PTSD typically recommend different types of trauma-focused psychotherapeutic treatments as first-line PTSD treatment. However, concerning pharmacological therapies recommendations are inconsistent.

22 Apr

Posted at 18:18h in Author Interviews, NYU/NYMC, PTSD, Technology
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_48742" align="alignleft" width="200"]Charles R. Marmar, MDThe Lucius N. Littauer Professor Chair of the Department of PsychiatryNYU Langone School of Medicine Dr. Marmar[/caption] Charles R. Marmar, MD The Lucius N. Littauer Professor Chair of the Department of Psychiatry NYU Langone School of Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?  Response: Several studies in recent years have attempted to identify biological markers that distinguish individuals with PTSD, with candidate markers including changes in brain cell networks, genetics, neurochemistry, immune functioning, and psychophysiology. Despite such advances, the use of biomarkers for diagnosing PTSD remained elusive going into the current study, and no physical marker was applied in the clinic. Our study is the first to compare speech in an age and gender matched sample of a military population with and without PTSD, in which PTSD was assessed by a clinician, and in which all patients did not have a major depressive disorder. Because measuring voice qualities in non-invasive, inexpensive and might be done over the phone, many labs have sought to design speech-based diagnostic tools 

16 Nov

Posted at 12:41h in Author Interviews, Lancet, Mental Health Research, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_46001" align="alignleft" width="160"]Sanford Nidich, Ed.D. Director, Center for Social-Emotional Health Maharishi University of Management Research Institute Fairfield, Iowa Dr. Nidich[/caption] Sanford Nidich, Ed.D. Director, Center for Social-Emotional Health Maharishi University of Management Research Institute Fairfield, Iowa MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and difficult-to-treat disorder, affecting 10-20% of veterans across eras. Previous research raised the question of whether a non-trauma focused treatment can be as effective as trauma exposure therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms. The overall objective of the study was to compare Transcendental Meditation (TM), a non-trauma focused practice, to prolonged exposure (PE) in a non-inferiority clinical trial, and to compare both to a PTSD health education control group. Transcendental Meditation was found to be as effective as PE in reducing PTSD symptoms severity from baseline to three-month posttest. In standard superiority comparisons, significant reductions in PTSD symptoms were found for TM vs. HE, and PE vs. HE. Percentages of participants with clinically significant improvement, as measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) interview (≥10 point reduction), were TM=61%, PE=42%, and HE=32% 

09 Aug

Posted at 15:09h in Author Interviews, Diabetes, JAMA, PTSD, Weight Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_43753" align="alignleft" width="174"]Jeff Scherrer, Ph.D. Associate professor; Research director Department of Family and Community Medicine Saint Louis University Center for Health Outcomes Research Dr. Scherrer[/caption] Jeff Scherrer, Ph.D. Associate professor; Research director Department of Family and Community Medicine Saint Louis University Center for Health Outcomes Research  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: The rationale for this study comes from evidence that patients with PTSD are more likely to be obese than persons without PTSD and have more difficulty losing weight. Given the obesity epidemic and substantial role of obesity in risk of type 2 diabetes, we sought to determine if obesity accounted for the existing evidence that PTSD is a risk factor for incident type 2 diabetes.  Other studies have adjusted for obesity or BMI in models that control for obesity/BMI and other confounders simultaneously which prohibits measuring the independent role of obesity on the ass

21 Jun

Posted at 18:02h in Author Interviews, JAMA, Karolinski Institute, Mental Health Research, PTSD, Rheumatology
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_42513" align="alignleft" width="150"]Huan Song Associated Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Karolinska Institutet Huan Song[/caption] Huan Song Associated Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Karolinska Institutet MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Earlier findings from our group (e.g. Fang et al., NEJM 2012; Arnberg et al., Lancet Psychiatry 2015; Lu et al., JAMA Oncol 2016; Shen et al., BMJ 2016; Zhu et al., Ann Oncol 2017) have identified pathways through which stressful events contribute to deterioration in human health. With strong animal models and human data supporting a role of stress in immune dysregulation, the hypothesis linking mental distress with autoimmune is indeed plausible. However, the evidence is as yet limited to clinical observations and a few larger observational studies on US veterans, most of them on men only, and some of which have cross-sectional designs and various other methodological shortcomings.

02 Mar

Posted at 17:10h in Author Interviews, JAMA, Occupational Health, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_40322" align="alignleft" width="133"]Dr. Lori Davis, MD Research and Development Service, Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa, Alabama Dr. Davis[/caption] Dr. Lori Davis, MD Research and Development Service, Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa, Alabama MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) interfere with a person’s ability to function at work, making it harder to stay employed and establish oneself in a career.  Veterans with PTSD are uniquely challenged given their motivation to serve others, be leaders and not be generally receptive to reaching out for help. Conventional wisdom about PTSD and employment has traditionally been to first commit to treatment, learn coping skills, manage one’s symptoms and then reintegrate into mainstream employment. However, this view is being transformed by our research that suggests a more assertive recovery-oriented approach to the treatment of PTSD that involves returning to meaningful competitive employment as soon as possible. This study compared Evidence-based Supported Employment (also known as Individual Placement and Support or IPS) integrated within PTSD treatment teams to the treatment as usual Transitional Work model offered within the VA. This multisite trial demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness of the IPS-supported employment over stepwise, transitional work vocational rehabilitation for Veterans living with chronic PTSD.

23 Jan

Posted at 20:21h in Author Interviews, JAMA, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: “Man’s best friend helps NC Guardsman with PTSD [Image 1 of 8]” by DVIDSHUB is licensed under CC BY 2.0, PhD Professor of Psychiatry Director, Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pa 19104 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: As much as 10 to 20 percent of military members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan following the September 11th attacks suffer from PTSD, which is often chronic and incapacitating. A constant increase in the number of individuals suffering from PTSD as a result of massive natural disasters, terror attacks, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has prompted an urgent need for effective and efficient evidence-based treatments for PTSD. Prolong exposure (PE) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that involves exposure to trauma memories and daily life trauma reminders. Previous studies have proven PE is quite effective for treating civilians and veterans with PTSD. In this five-year study, the researchers sought to determine whether PE could have similar success with active-duty military personnel. The researchers examined the benefit of various methods for delivering PE including Massed-PE, (10 therapy sessions administered over two weeks) and Spaced-PE (10 sessions administered over 8 weeks), as well as Present Centered Therapy (PCT), a non-trauma-focused therapy that involves identifying and discussing daily stressors in 10 sessions over eight weeks, and Minimal Contact Control (MCC), which included supportive phone calls from therapists once weekly for four weeks. Patients who received Massed-PE therapy, delivered over two weeks, saw a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms than those who received MCC. Importantly, Massed-PE therapy was found to be equally effective to Spaced-PE in reducing PTSD symptom severity. The researchers also found that PCT might be an effective treatment option for PTSD in active military personnel although it was less effective than PE in veteran and civilian PTSD sufferers. 

17 Oct

Posted at 12:41h in Author Interviews, PTSD, Technology
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_37487" align="alignleft" width="125"]Dr. Gale Lucas, PhD Director of Research USC Institute for Creative Technologies Playa Vista, CA  Dr. Lucas[/caption] Dr. Gale Lucas, PhD Director of Research USC Institute for Creative Technologies Playa Vista, CA   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: A common barrier to healthcare for psychiatric conditions is the stigma associated with these disorders. Perceived stigma prevents many from reporting their symptoms. Stigma is a particularly pervasive problem among military service members, preventing them from reporting symptoms of combat-related conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This put them at risk for having their symptoms go untreated, with possible disastrous outcomes including suicide attempts. We envisioned a technology system – a virtual human interviewer – whereby military service members can get feedback about their risk for PTSD in a safe place without stigma. Indeed, our prior research has shown that, because its “just a computer” (therefore safe and anonymous), this virtual human interviewer helps people to feel safe discussing sensitive issues like mental health symptoms. In this follow-up research project (published in Frontiers), we sought to demonstrate the value of this kind of virtual human interviewer specifically for encouraging reporting of PTSD symptoms among service members. Specifically, we were interested in comparing the willingness of service members to report symptoms of PTSD to our virtual human interviewer, compared to the gold standard of the Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA). We wanted to isolate the effect of anonymity, separating it from “relational factors” that the virtual human interviewer uses to encourage service members to open up. Indeed, before asking these same questions as on the PDHA to capture PTSD symptoms, the system engages in social dialogue, which build rapport with users. The system asks “get to know you questions,” and throughout the interview, engage in active listening with responses such as nods, smiles, saying “uh huh,” and other encouraging phrases like “that’s great.”

06 Oct

Posted at 10:42h in Author Interviews, Cost of Health Care, JAMA, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_37442" align="alignleft" width="144"]Dr-Gregory-H-Cohen.jpg  Dr. Cohen[/caption] Gregory H. Cohen, MPhil, MSW Statistical Analyst Department of Epidemiology School of Public Health Boston University  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: We simulated a stepped care case-finding approach to the treatment of posttraumatic stress in New York City, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Stepped care includes an initial triage screening step which identifies whether a presenting individual is in need of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or can be adequately treated at a lower level of care. Our simulation suggests that a stepped care approach to treating symptoms of posttraumatic stress in the aftermath of a hurricane is superior to care as usual in terms of reach and treatment-effectiveness, while being cost-effective.

17 Aug

Posted at 21:45h in Author Interviews, Memory, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_36511" align="alignleft" width="197"]Jun-Hyeong Cho MD PhD Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA 92521 Dr. Jun-Hyeong Cho[/caption] Jun-Hyeong Cho MD PhD Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA 92521 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: To survive in a dynamic environment, animals develop fear responses to dangerous situations. For these adaptive fear responses to be developed, the brain must discriminate between different sensory cues and associate only relevant stimuli with aversive events. In our current study, we investigated the neural mechanism how the brain does this, using a mouse model of fear learning and memory. Our study demonstrates that the formation of fear memory associated with an auditory cue requires selective synaptic strengthening in neural pathways that convey the auditory signals to the amygdala, an essential brain area for fear learning and memory.

09 Jun

Posted at 15:09h in Author Interviews, Emory, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_35159" align="alignleft" width="180"]Jennifer Stevens, PhD Director, Neuroscience of Memory, Emotion, and Stress Laboratory Instructor, Dept of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Emory University School of Medicine Dr. Stevens[/caption] Jennifer Stevens, PhD Director, Neuroscience of Memory, Emotion, and Stress Laboratory Instructor, Dept of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Emory University School of Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?  Response: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was once thought to be a disorder of combat veterans, however, we now know that more than 60% of Americans experience a traumatic event during their lifetimes, and that this can have negative consequences for mental and physical health. Many people recover from the psychological effects of trauma without any intervention, but a significant proportion have long-lasting debilitating symptoms. Supported by the NIH, the cutting edge of PTSD research includes new strategies for preventing the disease, rather than treating PTSD after patients have been living with symptoms for months to years. In order to prevent the disease, it is critical that we are able to quickly identify people who will be at risk for the disease following a trauma, so that preventive strategies can be deployed bedside in the emergency room or in the battlefield. In the current study, we used functional MRI to predict which individuals would recover from trauma, and which individuals would have long-lasting symptoms of PTSD.

21 May

Posted at 11:29h in Author Interviews, PTSD
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_34730" align="alignleft" width="197"]Jun-Hyeong Cho, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA 92521 Dr. Jun-Hyeong Cho[/caption] Jun-Hyeong Cho, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA 92521 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: In order to survive in a dynamic environment, animals develop adaptive fear responses to dangerous situations, which requires coordinated neural activity in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and amygdala. Dysregulation of this process leads to maladaptive generalized fear in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which affects 7 percent of the U.S. population. In this study, we found that a population of hippocampal neurons project to both amygdala and medical prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We also found neural mechanisms how these double-projecting neurons efficiently convey contextual information to the amygdala and mPFC to encode and retrieve fear memory for a context associated with an aversive event.

25 Apr

Posted at 18:04h in Author Interviews, Gender Differences, PTSD, Stanford
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_34121" align="alignleft" width="200"]Laramie E Duncan, PhD</strong> Stanford University Dr. Duncan[/caption] Laramie E Duncan, PhD Stanford University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that some people experience after a traumatic event, like a terrorist attack, military conflict, or violence in the home. When people have PTSD, they may experience flashbacks to the traumatic event, nightmares, and other recollections of the event that can interfere with their day-to-day lives. Before this study, not everyone was convinced that genetic factors make some people more prone to developing PTSD than others. Using a study of over 20,000 people and analyzing over two hundred billion (200,000,000,000) pieces of genetic information, we demonstrated that developing PTSD is partly genetic. We also found that genetic factors seem to play a stronger role for women than men, though for everyone, experiencing trauma is still the most important factor.