How to deal with panic attacks: Understanding the calming effects of brainspotting
The overpowering drive to restore control during a panic episode can be all-consuming. Breathing exercises and other techniques can help, but brainspotting, which makes use of the intriguing connection between eye location and brain activity, is a relatively unknown but effective alternative. Read More...
Protecting ourselves and our children from overexposure to images of war and violence
At a time when our media feeds are rife with distressing images and heartbreaking news, it is critical to learn how to shield ourselves and our children from the overwhelming emotional toll. Dr. Arash Javanbakht, a renowned trauma psychiatrist and researcher, has dedicated his career to assisting Read More...
Empathy and compassion: how to help a loved one suffering from PTSD
Supporting someone who is struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) requires empathy, patience, and knowledge. While the path to healing is extremely personal, you shouldn't underestimate the importance of your role in their journey. Understanding the difficulties of PTSD and Read More...
This study brings us one step closer to conquering fear
Humans experience many powerful emotions: love, anger, excitement, and fear. The question is why do fearful memories stay with us so strongly when others become increasingly difficult to remember? Collaborating teams of researchers from Tulane University and Tufts University have been Read More...
Zebrafish brains reveal new information about our memories
It seems like we're writing about fish a whole lot lately! Last week, we featured an article about goldfish learning to drive. This week, zebrafish, a species studied for their relatively long lifespans, are helping us understand how memories are made! Let's talk synapses! Signals in the brain Read More...
New law makes it easier for veterans to adopt service dogs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a new program that aims to make service dogs more available to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The newly-signed Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act is the result of years of work from Read More...
Veterans and wild mustangs find mutual healing in upstate New York
In the village of Honeoye Falls, New York, an unusual partnership is taking root. 200 acres in the town is home to nonprofit EquiCenter, an equine therapy center focused on supporting veterans with PTSD and rehabilitating wild mustangs with a mutually beneficial training program. Many of the Read More...
Study: MDMA-assisted therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD
We at The Optimist Daily have written before about how psychedelic-assisted therapy can offer mental health relief and even help save the environment. Now, the journal Nature has published data from the phase-III clinical trial results on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, and the outcome is Read More...
This app helps people with nightmare disorder sleep through the night
Nightmare disorder is exactly what it sounds like: a condition in which people regularly experience nightmares when they sleep, which affects both their sleep and their ability to wake up. People who experience nightmare disorder may be afraid to go to sleep at all. In order to help people with Read More...
What architects can do to ease the PTSD of veterans
For veterans with PTSD, the realities of war are no longer at their doorstep, but the lasting impact of war’s trauma impacts life on a daily basis. So researchers are looking for ways to make architecture more accommodating for veterans with PTSD. Especially these days, we’re all spending Read More...