By Susanne M. Dillmann, Psy.D., Post Traumatic Stress / Trauma Topic Expert Contributor

Click here to contact Susanne and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

People who have been exposed to a traumatic experience know all too well that severe stress has a significant impact upon the body. Unfortunately many people do not know that this physical reaction is normal and to be expected, which leads many a survivor to conclude that they are falling apart or permanently damaged. Therefore, increasing your understanding of the physical impact that extreme stress has is vital to one’s healing from a traumatic experience.

The brain receives information about the status of the world through your five senses and receives information about the status of your internal world i.e. what is going on inside your body through various nerves. All of this information travels through our spine into our brain. Once this information reaches the brain the first stop is a ‘danger detection center’ which determines whether the incoming information indicates that there is a danger or threat. If the ‘danger detection center’ perceives that there is a danger or threat then it sets off a series of alarms, which lead the body to begin preparations to protect itself. Read the rest of this entry

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The modern prevalence of depression, which is quickly emerging as one of the world’s largest health problems, may leave some people wondering how and why the concern emerges. There are many theories focused on explaining the origins of depression, but recently, a study performed at Trinity College Dublin has found that particular experiences in childhood may indicate a significant risk of developing the issue later in life. The study’s team found that stress resulting from emotional neglect had an impact on the structure of the brain, as evidenced through MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, technology. The work helps strengthen the importance of early treatment of depression as well as the prevention of poor quality of life and abusive relationships in childhood.

© Copyright 2010 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Roswell Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

By Darlene Lancer, MFT, Women’s Issues Topic Expert Contributor

Click here to contact Darlene and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

In working with women for decades, I’ve found that self-esteem is the common denominator of many women’s issues. With better self-esteem, women are more able to find balance, handle stress, and claim their autonomy.

Universally, women are considered inferior to men, and although our culture is changing, most women suffer from impaired self-esteem, even successful women. Self-esteem impacts our relationships with others and our relationship with ourselves. It affects self-care, parenting, boundaries, and communication. Self-esteem determines the way we allow others, including our children, to talk to us, and how we value and communicate our needs, thoughts, and feelings. It underpins personal integrity, our ability to pursue goals, and is crucial to effective parenting. A mother may praise her child and try to impart self-esteem, but if hers is low, inevitably, it will be revealed in her behavior, and children learn most by emulation. Read the rest of this entry

By Jeanette Raymond, Ph.D., Body-Mind Psychotherapy Topic Expert Contributor

Click here to contact Jeanette and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Nia was stunned when her perfect relationship ended.
Nia was on top of the world. Her job was going well, and she had the best boyfriend any girl could ask for. He was attentive and affectionate. He was interested in her ideas and opinions. He showed respect for her family traditions. She felt important and needed when she supported him through tough times. His gratitude was genuine, making Nia believe they were a solid couple.

The beginning of the end came the day Nia’s boyfriend didn’t take up her offer to care for him when he was ill. Within three weeks Nia had lost her boyfriend and her hair fell out in clumps. Nia’s first response was shock and disbelief. What had suddenly changed? Why did he want to be close to her yesterday but not today? Was he hiding something? Did she miss something? Read the rest of this entry

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

In England, as with most parts of the world, stress has taken a decidedly central role in the lives of millions of people, and recent turmoil within the financial markets has created substantial sources of worry and emotional difficulty among the population. As the New Year approaches, many are likely to focus their resolutions on handling debt-related issues, though efforts to promote a greater sense of inner peace and well-being may be less popular. England’s residents now have an option to incorporate better mental health into their fight against financial woes, thanks to a newly-launched helpline operated by the National Health Service called the “Stressline.”

The phone line has already helped several people reach a more manageable state and has directed at least fifty percent of callers to local resources for psychotherapy and other forms of treatment that can help financial and other worries become workable challenges rather than threatening obstacles. The line expects to experience considerable traffic through the holidays and at the beginning of the year as residents take a close look at their finances and attempt to make positive changes to rise out of debt, which is estimated at about ten thousand pounds per household, excluding mortgages. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2010 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Pasadena Bureau - All Rights Reserved.