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Responding to PTSD in Our Communities
We see the words Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) everywhere—on the front page of major newspapers, on the shelves of bookstores in the self-help section, on prime-time television, and on the floor of Congress. When you hear ‘PTSD’ what do you think? Veterans? September 11th? Hurricane...
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The Aftermath of Trauma: How a Mental Health Community Responds
Traumatic events are naturally stressful on our bodies and on our minds. Feelings of fear, helplessness, anxiety, and emotional distress are generally common in populations exposed to trauma and these symptoms can last for many months and even years. Whether natural disasters, such as Hurricane...
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The Legal Case in Support of Veterans Suffering with PTSD
Initially referred to as being “shell shocked” and now properly diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), soldiers returning from combat often suffer from severe psychological injuries as a result of horrific experiences they were exposed to. Today, with this country engaged in two...
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The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Responds to Post 9/11 Public Need
In recognition of the lasting psychological consequences of the WTC attack for many New York City residents, the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene launched the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program for Mental Health and Substance Use Services. This benefit helps cover the costs of services...
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The PTSD Patient: Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester Treats the “Whole Person”
Over the past few years, there has developed a deeper understanding of the inter-relationship between physical and mental health. Mental health problems are real, affecting one’s thoughts, body, feelings and behavior. These feelings and behaviors are not just a passing phase and can be...
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Understanding and Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others’ lives are in danger. You...
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Bridging Clinical and Research Frontiers in the Treatment of PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating stress-related psychiatric condition associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity, functional impairment, compromised health status, early mortality, and substantial economic costs to society. Despite the efficacy of...
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Columbia Trauma and PTSD Program: Vital Research and Treatment for Veterans
Those of us who have not had the misfortune of enduring war find it difficult to understand. Popular culture is rife with images of warfare, but nothing in civilian life actually compares to the experiences of combat. Combat stress includes not only the constant threat of injury and death, the...
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From Da Nang to Baghdad: Treating Combat PTSD
In 1971 I was assigned to the 98th Medical Detachment, KO Team, one of two specialized, 28 man units made up of psychiatrists, a social work officer, nurses, and para-professional enlisted specialists in social work and neuropsychiatric procedures to assess and treat psychiatric casualties and drug...
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Helping Children Come to Terms with Sexual Abuse
The classic definition of “trauma” provided by Bessel Vander Kolk (1987) includes both the dramatic nature of an event as well as the individual’s ability to cope. Despite our capacity to survive and adapt, trauma can alter one’s psychological, biological and social equilibrium to such a...
