Identifying and Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Chivonna Childs, PhD

Nearly everyone has experienced emotional distress after a traumatic event — but not everyone who experiences trauma develops post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychologist Chivonna Childs, PhD, talks about the ways that standard responses to trauma differ from clinical PTSD, and how those living with PTSD can identify and manage their disorder to ease the long-lasting impact of trauma.

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#PostTraumaticStressDisorder #PTSD

[sigmarecovery]

I have PTSD. I am a man. Rape survivor, I have BPD, recovering alcoholic/addict, and a former police officer. Early intervention is critical. You must utilize therapy and may have to take medication short or long term. Interact with healthy people as soon as you can and as much as you can. Healthy people accelerate your healing. Drugs and alcohol make it worse. Isolation can kill you. You must be mindful of the people you associate with. The wrong people will just make you sicker. Symptoms tend to get worse over time if untreated. The suicidal ideation hits like a ton of bricks….it’s merciless. Need to find a good trauma therapist (a therapist trained in EMDR and DBT is good sign). I can’t stress the benefits of physical exercise enough. I would be dead without the gym. Weight training, cardio, and HIIT have all reduced my PTSD symptoms better than any medication. Daily meditation (breathing exercises) also helps as with enough time, it reduces the size of your amygdala. The amygdala is a part of your brain that impacts your emotional reactivity. In addition to your amygdala being swollen, the volume of your hippocampus is also reduced. PTSD changes the structure of your brain. It takes months if not years to heal. Symptoms may be lessened or dissipate but some may never completely resolve. Be wary of anyone that tells you that PTSD can be “cured” (exception being children with PTSD who receive immediate intervention…..they are able to heal more efficiently as their brains are still developing). PTSD is a very serious injury. It almost killed me. In summary, exercise, therapy, and healthy people are the keys to recovery. Healthy people around you is by far the most critical. If you have this disorder, I truly hope you find peace. Namaste

[MC-cgxn]

I was abused for 3 years and the abuser and his friend turned it around on me. I texted both and reacted. They are both seeking CPO’s on me. Worse off, I’ve reached out to a local Cleveland law firm and he said my actions aren’t a defense. I have recently been formally diagnosed with PTSD. This is unbelievable and no one is helping me. I just want these protection orders dropped against me. I’d NEVER hurt anyone. No one is helping me!! This is now negatively impacting my work. I have all this documented.

[staceypollack]

There are so many more common signs of ptsd never mentioned other than the ones here. Chronic pain is one from post traumatic injury HUGE problem along with 100s more when the nervous system gets dysregulated.

[fa_lee_lee]

This was a great presentation..!!! Thank u so much!! I was listening. However, the earrings you ladies are wearing are gorgeous!!!

[ladybirdtravels]

This really hit home about how you would get a broken bone seen to straight away. Unfortunately back when I experienced my trauma you weren't counselled or monitored. You just lived with it until one day you wonder why you are crying over spilt milk. Too late to fix now. The soul is well and truly broken and can't heal.

[kimstrippin]

I came across this video at exactly the right time. This is the best explanation I have seen to date regarding this. Do you have any action plans for treatment?

[devonroberts]

Hi, my name is Devon Roberts and i have lost several people in my life by dying, especially my mom. I loved her so much and I am now having to take medication because of it. I feel like I am overwhelmed because I feel like I have to deal with it everyday since she isn't around anymore.

[jenlt]

Excellent podcast. I have ptsd and this makes me feel more normal 🎉

[picussoccer]

Thank you. This helps me understand my loved one.

[MajedAlmutairi]

Because of my spoiled youngest brother, I have PTSD and acute psychological shock I believe I won't recover from years of oppression it has to come to an end

[EmmaKinneyOcampo]

Hi I'm a USMC veteran and I have done 5 tours over seas and I had witnessed alot of deaths while doing my tours over seas and right now I have PTSD really bad and I was physically abused by my ex husband who is active duty and my ex husband had put me and my life in jeopardy and I am suffering from all of that and it makes me hurt deeply and physically and

[sandraelizabethross]

I was hit by a car in 2017 here in Canada. The driver was texting while driving. She did an illegal left hand turn. This *driver* ruined my life. I cannot do normal things anymore. Had a total knee done. Now shoulder on the left side. I am constantly reminded of the event. I am just distraught. But I love life every way I can. I have had counselling. Is mine chronic? I was diagnosed with PTSD. Like wow. I have Chronic pain. Will this go away?

[henryvira]

Hi. My wife of 30 odd years has suddenly decided to move far away from home and set up own flat and seeing doctors and counsellors as part of ptsd. How can I as husband and our siblings be of any help? First time this has happened. Thank you.

[msv]

Help is available for those with funds to pay $100 or more a session. Idk how many contacts I’ve made where the therapist just says they’re not taking new clients or they don’t take that insurance. You’re on your own buddy..

[Omicronthewiperofyouknow...]

One of the big problems, if not the biggest problem of people with PTSD is that They probably missinterpret normal signs that people make. For exameple: a woman arranging her scarf. A person that experienced a war zone, will most likely see in that that the women is telling him/her that She wants to cut his/her head off. People arranging their hats for example. A person with PTSD that went to a war zone might see in that the fact that the other person is doing a military salute. And these are everyday normal gestures that war veterans probably associate with signs that They need to take action against or for. And there are many signs like that. People pointing towards certain things. They might think there is something dangerous there. A women arranging her hair. Again, They might see it as a military salute and not as flirting or something else. And these missinterpretations keep them in a war zone forever. Also, there can be a lot of missreads. For example, a license plate for a car that says "WAR". That might be a big trigger. Or, another example, unfortunate events where 3 cars go pass a war veteran one saying "You", one saying "Gou" and the third one saying "HPL", as in hospital. And all sorts of things like this. Misreads... One sees a word saying "did" and reads it as "died". Typos at computers. Where one writes a certain word and because of a type sees a threat. And these are normal every day occurences that can keep one locked in the house forever. And these occurences also happen in the house. And starting from this you can get all sorts of problems. Also noises. Honking that resembles a certain pattern met in a warzone. Lights that might seem like a message, stuff like that. T-shirts with certain signs that remind one of possible dangers, you name it. The list just goes on and on and on. And maybe a very important thing, when dealing with such problems, most likely if the medic makes any of these signs, the veteran will probably not trust the medic.

[susanjohnsondibal]

It a great information that is helpful love it thanks

[blessingfarm]

What do you do if after 2 years of waiting for ADHD testing, you get it done and instead find you have NO ADD at all, but instead PTSD...YET, there's no room at the proverbial inn, counerlor-wise. No therapists available. Help.

[ianpearson]

I have reacquiring nightmares from my dad, I'd rather call my StepDad my real Dad, I know it can sound bad, But when you live a life where you are put up and then Down as well threatened then you should know, my nightmares are like threatened of being stabbed. feeling trapped in a house that I know, I just don't know when when I am going to scream, or cry and then laugh.

Itis hard to say what my reactions are going to be.

[MajedAlmutairi]

Because of my spoiled brother, I had psychological shock. I lost connect with Reality for 3 days, no memory whatsoever,

[paulmcguire]

I have ptst but not been diagnosed yet