Results from the largest prospective study of its kind indicate that for individuals who experience trauma, the presence of dissociation — a profound feeling of detachment from one’s sense of self or surroundings — may indicate a high risk of later developing severe post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, physical pain, and social impairment. The research, which was led by investigators at McLean Hospital, is published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
News
Teens exhibiting record levels of stress-related mental health problems
The mental health crisis among teens has prompted an urgent quest for preventive interventions. Researchers believe they have one. As the team explains in a recent study, the 30-minute online training module teaches teenagers to channel their stress responses away from something negative that needs to be feared and tamped down towards recognizing those responses — sweaty palms, a racing heart, for example — as a positive driving force.
Guidance, compassion and understanding.
New Patient Comment – 7/22
Thank you for your guidance, compassion and understanding. Your encouragement is leading to my growth and understanding about human behavior. These giant steps of experiencing and continuing to work on accepting life and its challenges have me appreciating communication and accepting others in a caring and compassionate way. I don’t always have the words to express my feelings and I’m very grateful that you are her for me. There is much love, compassion and caring in our work together.
How to Empower Yourself to Make Positive Change
When we are stressed, when we are tired and overwhelmed, it’s easy to hold our breath without even knowing it. And when we do that, we deprive ourselves of oxygen, which, in turn, limits our ability to think clearly in the moment and do things like problem-solving and affect-regulation.
New study looks at the impact stress can have on aging and disease
Stress — in the form of traumatic events, job strain, everyday stressors and discrimination — accelerates aging of the immune system, potentially increasing a person’s risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and illness from infections such as COVID-19, according to a new USC study.
New Patient Comment
I just wanted to let you know how I’m doing. For the first time in my life, I’ve been feeling like myself. I feel alive. I feel right here. And everything is going well. If a relationship comes into my life, it’s like dessert. Thank you so much for all you’ve done to help me to understand and know myself better.