Sarah pictured in front of hypothalamus brain artwork wearing her “action potential” t-shirt

Sarah Clark age 37, suffered years of depression, stress, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD and OCD as a result of childhood trauma. It took 15 years for her to be diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) two years ago, causing her further trauma from the medical system. Recently she tried using the Alpha-Stim cranial electrotherapy device and noticed real improvements to her sleep, anxiety and mood, with positive cumulative effects. Her condition meant that she was also in a great deal of pain for many years but has virtually stopped even needing to take paracetamol since using the Alpha-Stim. Here she tells her story…

“I have a background of pretty severe developmental and early childhood trauma, and my attachment trauma meant that I wouldn’t have learnt from my key care-givers as a young child normally would, how to self-regulate my nervous system, which in itself predisposed me years later to exacerbated vulnerability to stress and anxiety. Then due to many years of various types of abuse, I developed Complex PTSD as an adult. I’ve since become interested in the prevailing neurobiological effects of trauma such as disruption to neurotransmitters and hormones and this has led to my interest in learning about various modalities in the healing and treatment of trauma.”

“Now in my thirties, after a fifteen year diagnostic journey where what I perceived as physical symptoms were blamed on my “mental health and childhood trauma” by my doctors, two years ago I formally got diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in February 2020, which is a genetic connective tissue disorder often characterised by joint instability, chronic pain, gastrointestinal and bladder issues and fatigue. I also have common EDS comorbidities of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Dysautonomia which can be easily exacerbated.”

“As with many chronic physical health conditions the links between chronic stress and physical health are well proven, and with my hEDS certainly when I am under more stress or anxiety my hEDS symptoms exacerbate. Likewise, the links between childhood trauma impacting upon our biology and psychology across our lifespan are well documented at the biochemical and psycho-energetic levels.”

“I’ve been using the Alpha-Stim AID almost daily for around 3 months now. This Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) Device is FDA cleared in USA and NHS approved in the UK for the treatment of anxiety, depression and insomnia. The Alpha-Stim AID comes with ear clips you clip to your earlobes and it stimulates the eighth cranial nerve to deliver a natural level of microcurrent in a specific waveform pattern to stimulate and modulate specific groups of nerve cells in the brain. A similar device, the Alpha-Stim M, is also available and additionally licensed to treat pain.”

“I agreed with The Microcurrent Site to share my story and experiences of using Alpha-Stim because of my own personal life journey and how Alpha-Stim has potentiated my progress in the past few months. I’ve experienced first-hand many debilitating side effect of pharmacological psychotropic medication, as well as a very traumatic journey through the healthcare system, labelled inappropriately along the way with several misdiagnoses and never having received the appropriate help I needed. It is therefore due to my own trauma from the medical system that I am so keen to help promote devices such as Alpha-Stim.”

“Plus I also have an interest in understanding the mechanisms behind how things work too. I am currently studying a Masters degree part-time in Neuropsychology and I am very interested in neuroscience. I want to be able to use my trauma and experiences to help others in some way. Whilst I will never be cured or totally healed from the traumas of my past, my resilience and determination shines through and, because of the progress I’ve made in the past few years, I like to think of this stage of my life as my ‘post-traumatic growth phase’. As I’ve been working hard to rebalance my nervous system after trauma, I’ve noticed phenomenal resolutions in many of my physical symptoms and complaints, including my chronic pain.”

“My medical history is incredibly complex and whilst I am not saying that you should use Alpha-Stim without speaking to your doctor first (although sadly most doctors won’t have heard of Alpha-Stim!) I think the improvements I’ve noticed to my sleep, anxiety and mood are testament to the efficacy of this device as a treatment method.”

“We commonly think about the human body in terms of biochemistry, but we often neglect that fact that as humans, we are ‘electric beings’ and the way our brain cells communicate and the coherence of our heart is governed by electrical processes. I therefore personally think bioelectronic devices such as Alpha-Stim are not given the credence they rightly deserve.”

“I used to be an incredible sceptic and my perception of health and healthcare was like many, governed by the allopathic ‘pill for every ill’ approach of our western modern healthcare system.   However, I now know the healthcare system does not focus on healing or wellness as such, and sadly non-invasive treatment options such as Alpha-Stim are little known about.  So these days the sceptic in me has vanished and I am very much in favour of various non-pharma treatment strategies and approaches. I was previously under a community mental health team for 15 years, and whilst I am not saying here that talking therapies do not work for some, the talking therapies and treatments they offered me were not appropriate for my situation and specific symptoms and made me significantly worse rather than helping.”

“Aside from treating anxiety, depression and insomnia, I do know that for some Alpha-Stim is beneficial in terms of increasing focus and performance. I have dabbled a bit in the ‘biohacking’ world too amongst my many interests, so have tested out a few devices and modalities out there and I know a little about personal development and performance optimisation.”

“Because my hEDS took so long to be formally diagnosed and my case was mismanaged, both my physical and emotional health spiralled downwards to the extreme and physiologically my body became so unconditioned that three years ago I became housebound for several months with my chronic pain severity and had to rely on opioids a few times a week. I also took the maximum daily dose of pregabalin for almost 10 years which was initiated for extreme social anxiety but then I remained on years later due to carpal tunnel syndrome and foraminal stenosis in my cervical and lumbar spine. I totally stopped pregabalin two months ago after gradually tapering the dose. In the past year I was taking paracetamol daily, but since using Alpha-Stim, I rarely even need to take paracetamol anymore. Without the Alpha-Stim I don’t think there would have been this much of a recent reduction in my pain levels. Because of lots of rehabilitation and reconditioning work with physio, yoga and Pilates in the past couple of years, I am now back able to go running, swimming and walking again when 3 years ago I was housebound due to my pain.”

“Something very key to being able to get to this stage in my recovery and wellness journey has been learning how to manage stress and anxiety better and learning how to self-regulate my nervous system after my developmental trauma and better regulate my emotional vulnerability.  Certainly in the past few months since I started using Alpha-Stim, I notice immediate anxiety relief with each Alpha-Stim session, leaving me feeling very calm and chilled, and this has longer lasting and cumulative effects too.”

“I’ve suffered from insomnia all of my adult life and at one stage was only able to sleep at all by relying on medication with sedating effects. I have an Apple Watch which I wear during the day and I wear my Oura Ring just as a sleep tracker overnight and when I started using Alpha-Stim my sleep was still very broken and disturbed. I often have nightmares and flashbacks and emotional flashbacks because of my PTSD and I think I am a very light sleeper due to hypervigilance. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a key biomarker of the functionality of our autonomic nervous system and its ability to maintain homeostasis between the sympathetic and parasympathetic (rest and digest) side of the nervous system. In the past few months my HRV has dramatically increased.  And the “sleep cycle” data from my Oura Ring shows that I am waking up a lot less and spending longer in “deep sleep” cycle stages. I have less nightmares too. I am waking up less overnight to urinate due to my hEDS related bladder issues and I think the concept here of improved sleep quality could mean that my brain isn’t picking up so readily signals from my bladder leading to disturbed sleep.”

“At the time I started using Alpha-Stim, I was in a dire and desperate situation and although not fully diagnosed even now, I was awaiting more tests for suspected Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) which is extremely rare and 2 cases in every 100,000 people and very difficult to spot and diagnose. I lost a significant amount of weight unintentionally and was unable to tolerate solid food at all and would simply faint every time I ate due to severe stomach pains. My case was discussed in the summer at the complex intestinal failure MDT and they suggested a naso-jejunal feeding tube due to my worsening malnutrition. Thankfully due to my own research and strategies I put into place I managed to avoid this. Prior to starting using Alpha-Stim, I spent almost six months struggling just to tolerate a liquid diet and unable to eat solid food at all. Although I do still experience quite significant tummy pains, and have used many modalities and strategies to help, I am now most days able to tolerate eating a very soft solid food meal per day with the other 2 liquid meals and my severe weight loss has stabilised. I very strongly feel that some of this improvement in my pain levels and my general stress and anxiety levels is fundamentally down to my use of Alpha-Stim.”

“In terms of my academic studies on my MSc program since I’ve been using Alpha-Stim, I’ve noticed improvements in the past 3 months in my memory, cognitive processing and function, problem solving abilities and ability to focus and stay motivated and I strongly suspect that Alpha-Stim may have had a part in these improvements.”

“All in all, I am incredibly glad for having discovered the Alpha-Stim and from my own personal experiences would thoroughly recommend non-invasive treatment methods over pharmacological treatment.”

The Alpha-Stim AID retails at £499 and payment plans are available via PayPal credit as well as rental options. For more information please visit www.themicrocurrentsite.co.uk or call 01487 208041.

The post Years of Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia and PTSD Eased by the Alpha-Stim appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Master Zhi Gang Sha invites everyone inside the healing field to calm and heal soul, heart, mind and body. This is your chance to join thousands of people who have been accessing the extraordinary healing events of Tao Calligraphy Light Massage.

Each session negative energy and information is transformed into something more positive to alleviate blockages in every aspect of life to focus on healing and preventing illness. Every session is suited for those who have had previous experience with Tao Light Massage, or those that are brand new to the experience – everyone will experience the powerful healing energy that is essential to good health and wellbeing.

Many people have been amazed after spending time Tao Calligraphy Light Massage field. It is a unique field for healing depression and anxiety, illness, relationships, and more. Below are just some stories of amazing transformation, and more can be found here: Enlightening Stories.

Using Tao Light Massage to Overcome Depression – “I felt depressed for a few weeks. Sometimes I would feel better, then worse again-up and down. The night before the Tao Calligraphy Light Massage was especially bad. I had deep emotional pain and felt very hopeless. I just wanted everything to end. Inwardly, I clung to the fact that the next day is the Tao Calligraphy Light Massage with Master Sha and that I would be able to ask there for support. During the Tao Calligraphy Light Massage, I felt the high frequency and vibration of the Tao Calligraphy Healing Field in my whole body, especially in the area of the heart. A heaviness was taken away from me and I felt calm and peaceful inside. The feeling of lightness lasts and today, a day later, I am positive and hopeful again. For me, it is a miracle, and I am deeply grateful. – Z.N.”  

Using Tao Light Massage to Restore Sleeping Patterns and Remove Pain – “Thank you, Master Sha for your generosity. I have attended your last 2 Tao Light Massage sessions and I experienced profound healing for my spleen. I had a hard time sleeping on my left side and had level 7 level pain around my spleen area for more than 5 months. I can now sleep and have no pain. I am beyond grateful for the light and healing you bring to humanity. – M.L.”

Tao is the Source. Tao carries Source love, light, frequency and vibration. Tao carries the most positive Source soul, heart, mind, energy and matter which can transform negative soul, heart, mind, energy and matter in every aspect of life including health (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies), relationships and finances.

Tao Light Massage is the Source sacred healing for humanity and is now available to everyone to experience. Each session provides an opportunity to receive the healing and benefits of these healing sessions.

For anyone who has not experienced Tao Light Massage with Master Sha or who has not previously registered for the May 15^th event with Master Sha, you may attend this Saturday, June 12th session as a gift by applying this coupon code: TLM!2021.

About Dr. and Master Zhi Gang Sha

• and Master Zhi Gang Sha is a doctor of Western and traditional Chinese medicine, a renowned healer, teacher, and the author of over 25 books, including 11 New York Times bestsellers.
• He is a Grand Master of several Eastern arts and in 2002 was named Qigong Master of the Year at the Fourth World Congress on Qigong. Master Sha has also received the highest honors in Chinese calligraphy as a National Chinese Calligrapher Master and Honorable Researcher Professor from the State Ethnic Academy of Painting in Beijing, China.

He is the founder of Tao Academy and the Love Peace Harmony Foundation and has received widespread recognition for his service to humanity, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for promoting world peace.

The post Transform the negative into positive with Tao Light Massage from Master Sha appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Diagnosing depression in primary care is notoriously difficult, even for professionals, as research in the Lancet indicated in 2009. A study of more than 50,000 patients reported by Dr Alex Mitchell, from Leicestershire Partnership Trust, found that there were more false positive diagnoses of depression than either missed or identified cases.

A US study published in September 2012 (Vocal-Source Biomarkers for Depression: A Link to Psychomotor Activity, by Thomas F. Quatieri and Nicolas Malyska) stated that accurate diagnosis of major depressive disorder took intensive training and “an automatic means to monitor depression severity would be a beneficial tool for patients, clinicians, and healthcare providers”.

How does the app work?

Sensetel analyses markers in speech patterns that we all exhibit to produce an objective measure of a loved one’s well-being that adjusts and changes, as they do. Based on detailed scientific research into the indicators of depression and anxiety, it builds a picture of well-being over a number of phone conversations that identifies trends of improvement or deterioration. Just like a fingerprint, these voice markers cannot be masked and they function no matter what is said or in what language.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

The app is fully functional on Android devices, and will later be available on iphones. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse data from hundreds of voice samples from the NHS PHQ9 depression and GAD7 generalised anxiety disorder tests. Even if the speaker is consciously or subconsciously trying to project a happy disposition, Sensetel picks up any underlying depression or anxiety.

It’s undoubtedly a clever bit of kit, but is it intrusive?

For Quinton Richards, the founder of Sensetel, the app bolsters loving relationships and takes the stress out of caring.

“There is no question of someone downloading this onto their mother’s phone without consent or snooping on her in a sinister way. Both users of the phones involved give their consent and either can withdraw it any time if they do not wish to continue.”

But, he says, this gives families a safety net that may well reinforce independent living when visiting is hard to manage. Sensetel lets you walk the fine line between being over-protective and giving your loved one the space, confidence and dignity to maintain their independence.

Even if you can see your relations often, Sensetel has its value. “There are times,” says Richards, “when you see someone so frequently that you do not notice the subtle signs that indicate a deteriorating state of health. You almost develop a blind spot.”

And it is not only ageing relatives who may need that safety net; you may be equally concerned about teenage children leaving home for the first time, perhaps going to university, surrounded by strangers and desperate to stand on their own two feet. You can confidently give them the space they need, knowing that Sensetel will highlight any signs of anxiety or depression.

For more details, visit www.sensetel.co.uk

The post Are your parents really OK or are they depressed? appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

If that’s you, you are not alone. In the UK, 1 in 4 adults suffer from mental health issues in a normal year. And according to research published in the British Medical Journal, that figure has soared during the pandemic. We have had to adapt to a new normal, putting extra strain on our lives.

Luckily, a new digital solution is now at hand: affordable, expert, non-judgemental support from qualified psychologists and psychotherapists, in a safe and confidential online space.

Feelya is a new digital platform offering psychotherapy from expert, accredited professionals, at an affordable price and on your own terms. You simply visit the Feelya website, register, and choose a qualified therapist at a price that’s right for you. Then meet privately online (video or just audio) at a time of your choice and in the comfort of your own secure space. All feelya listed therapists are UK-based and registered with the HCPC or BACP. Feelya’s secure platform has been designed with added privacy features so you can be sure your session is confidential. There is no membership fee; you only pay for sessions you book.

Join Feelya today at www.feelya.com and see how Feelya registered therapists can help you get your life back on track.

The post Someone to talk to: the easy way appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Born out of a love for dancing, Charlie created a more conscious approach to dance, a movement meditation called Dance in the dark® which is a tasty concoction of her qualifications and experiences. Charlie is a singer and writer for lo-fi acoustic band Hamartia. She writes, sings and co-produces for the deep experimental project The Inside. Charlie is a digger and DJ and wanted to share her passion for rare music from all over the globe in the sessions. While facilitating a space for people to move through and get in touch with their bodies while breaking through mental stagnation.

During lockdown she created an online audio subscription for £10 a month releasing a weekly brand new session that participants can shut the curtains and practice in their own home, enabling them to drop out of their thinking minds and into their bodies. With no screens and no distractions, participants have the opportunity to observe their emotions and embody and express them in their own free movement. You can subscribe by visiting the Firm Feet® website link below.

She holds 1:1 online immersive sound healing sessions. Working with the client to connect with and expose stagnation of the mind, body and spirit then deliver the appropriate treatment with her voice, resonance, vibration and other instruments.

Charlie recently moved to Edinburgh with her partner. In London she ran ‘Love your body’ sessions at the Hackney Recovery college. Working with people with addiction and mental health issues aiding them to discuss, break the stigma and provide tools to overcome body image issues. She co-founded social prescribing initiative Conscious Care Community in Waltham Forest providing free and alternative therapies to people in the community.

For more information visit:

Instagram @firmfeet

www.firmfeet.co.uk

hello@firmfeet.co.uk

The post Movement and sound for mental wellbeing appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Psilocybin Assisted Therapies

Psilocybe is labeled as a ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ for severe treatment-resistant depression. It is the active ingredient that is found in ‘magic mushrooms’. It is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound that acts on serotonin receptors in the body. These have been used in both religious and native rituals for centuries. They can cause visual and auditory hallucinations along with sensory and spiritual experiences. Psilocybin cubensis research has proven that it has the power to alter brain neural pathways. Currently undergoing clinical trials, psilocybin therapy shows a lot of promise to have long-lasting impacts on depression treatment, and it can also be found in lower doses in products such as Golden Door chocolate bars.

Cannabis Assisted Therapy

The benefits of cannabis are being rapidly known. There is a multitude of research coming to light regarding its potential benefits such as relief of chronic pain, improving lung capacity, regulating diabetes, fighting cancer, regulating seizures, and even a treatment for glaucoma. The strains mostly used for medical benefits are White Widow, Birthday Cake Strain and Amnesia Haze. Besides this, it has been known to help insomnia, anxiety and depression. Further trials are being conducted as cannabis also shows promising evidence for treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Autism disorder, treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.  The use of medical marijuana is on the rise, with some using a combination of talk-therapy and psychotherapy with prescription cannabis, in order to release anxiety and stress.

Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine Assisted Therapy (MDMA)

Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), is a psychoactive drug that was mostly taken for recreational purposes but is currently in phase three clinical trials for the treatment of depression, social anxiety and PTSD. It is also known to increase feelings of compassion and empathy in the user. The use of MDMA to assist psychotherapy for these disorders has been successful, showing that after a two month follow up, more than half the patients that had been given MDMA for psychotherapy did not meet the criteria for PTSD anymore. The results also indicate that there are prolonged healing effects on cognition and decision-making after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Assisted Therapy  (LSD)

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is a synthesized and potent hallucinogenic that results in altered feelings, thoughts, perceptions and synesthesia. It has remained a very controversial drug throughout history and was first banned in 1966. It has recently been acknowledged for its potential therapeutic effects, especially for treatment-resistant disorders. It plays an important role in the serotonin neurotransmitters and results in changes in brain elasticity, that is, newer neural pathways being made in the brain. LSD has proven to be beneficial for PTSD, anxiety, depression and even Schizophrenia.

Although hard to maneuver, if used properly, psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promising evidence of being the new ground-breaking way of alternative treatment.

The post 4 Alternative Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Mental Health Issues appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

I was really excited about university. I thought it would be “the time of my life”, I’d meet life-long friends and have loads of fun and actually enjoy my subject of study.

My reality was the opposite. I was bored, lonely, depressed, and suicidal.

Sometimes I would feel actual pain in my heart from being so unhappy. I’d never heard anyone talk about this before. If someone had just said to me “This is something that can happen in life” – like we do in men’s groups – I think I would have been better equipped to deal with my issues.

I tried counselling and CBT but I found them only slightly effective in providing some relief.

One day the suicidal feelings were so overwhelming that I mustered up the courage to go to a support group. That was the first time I talked about what was really going on in front of a group of people. In the middle of what I was saying, I started to cry. It was scary but I found some relief.

I went a few more times and it was good, but it lacked something. I’d read about men’s groups in a couple of books so I decided to try that next.

After trying a few different ones, I found MenSpeak Men’s Groups – the group which I still attend today, four years on.

At one of the first sessions I talked in detail about my depression, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts etc. The facilitator asked if anyone could relate, and about eight guys of varying ages and backgrounds put their hand up. It was really, really powerful – just to know that I’m not alone in my experiences.

Another time a guy came along who was someone I used to consider “cool”. He said these groups were essential for his mental health. That gave me permission to like the groups and need them too. Before that day I was embarrassed about them, they were my secret.

Through the men’s groups I turned things around, letting go of my suicidal thoughts, panic attacks and loneliness. This is where I’ve met my closest friends.

I trained to become a men’s group facilitator, I co-facilitated a men’s group for a year then I realised my passion, to work with older boys and young men. I’ve held boys’ groups in schools since 2019. This has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. The kids feel safe enough to share very deep things, like severe illnesses and deaths in the family. One boy talked about opening a memory box a few weeks ago that his mum had made before she died of cancer. That was the last time he cried – a question we ask in our groups with no pressure to answer.

I had to try and stop myself from crying so many times.

My passion now is to help schools set up their own peer-led talking and wellbeing groups using the MenSpeak format. I believe they’re the most effective, affordable and accessible way to create real community, connection and support for those in need.

I want to share my story far and wide so young people know what can happen while they’re growing up and how to manage these things if they do happen.

Since Covid-19 has hit, MenSpeak has been running daily online mini-men’s groups to meet men in a similar stressful situation as when I was a student.

Covid-19 has of course closed down all schools, however I’m working with another organisation, States of Mind, and we’ve got at least one or two schools who have shown interest in setting up online peer-led groups to help relieve the isolation and bring support to students during this uncertain time.

We had our first exploratory session recently and the students were interested in the idea of a talking group. They feel they can’t go to friends with some issues, or parents, or teachers, and they feel counselling is too ‘formal’, so a confidential, peer-led group sounds perfect. They want to hear from other young people about the struggles they’re going through, and have a safe space to share their challenges of living in the time of Coronavirus. They want to make new friends with peers they don’t normally get the chance to speak to.

It’s my hope that these talking and wellbeing groups – both online and offline – will become another option for students alongside counselling and welfare services. Students need more support than they’re currently getting. If they’d existed for me I might not have needed to fall down so many holes and feel so desperately alone in navigating my way through student life.

www.mensgroups.co.uk

www.bertieharrimansmith.com

www.statesofmind.org

www.themanwhisperer.co.uk

The post From Suicidal Student to Serving Stressed-out Men and Boys appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

As a trainee in Human Givens Counselling I am offering complimentary sessions until the end of May 2020 to gain as much experience as possible before I complete the course in June 2020.

Feel Better Today!
Human Givens therapy offers effective and practical help for all sorts of mental health issues. It draws on findings from psychology and neurobiology, is evidence based and aims to make a difference in as few a number of sessions as possible (3-4 sessions on average, although sometimes just one session is enough). Human Givens is suitable and effective for people dealing with:

• stress
• anxiety
• depression
• panic attacks
• phobias
• OCD
• sleep problems
• addictions
• post natal depression
• trauma (for more information on the treatment of PTSD please click on this link.

If you’d like to know more about Human Givens and their approach please go to the Human Givens website.

I have worked in the health and wellbeing profession for 30 years, with people of all ages and from all walks of life, constantly trying to truly understand what it is that makes us ‘sick’ and what makes us ‘tick’. I have been particularly interested in mental health and have done various forms of counselling and therapy, though it wasn’t until I finally came across the Human Givens approach that it all made sense.

Should you wish to find out more about me and my journey in the health and wellness profession please visit my website – LiveWellAndProsper

If you would like to get in contact with me to find out more or to book your complimentary session(s) between now and the end of May, then please contact me. I work from home in Herstmonceux East Sussex.

Words: Helen Prosper
07545 227272
helen @livewellandprosper.uk

The post Are you seeking help with mental health issues? appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

This article looks at common reactions to traumatic events and what you should and should not do to help yourself and others.

Expected difficulties after a traumatic event

• Nightmares about the event or aspects, such as emotional content that symbolise the event.
• Memories of the event that are uncontrollable or make you feel as if you are re-experiencing the event again. This can be sights, sounds, smells or bodily sensations.
• Feeling on guard, as if something may happen at any moment.
• Actively avoiding reminders because they are emotionally painful or trigger unwanted memories and flashbacks.
• Insomnia
• Drinking more alcohol or using drugs
• Irritability or anger
• A significantly altered and negative view of yourself, the world or other people. For example, not trusting people, feeling high degrees of shame or that the world is very unsafe.

All of these reactions are normal and expected during the first month, and may last up to six months before things improve on their own.

People often think that trying hard not to think about what happened is the best way to feel better. They try hard to avoid reminders, but this prolongs the difficulties. The therapies that work the best rely on actively thinking about what happened in a specific way. This helps to place the memories in the past, rather than feeling like the event is happening again or has just happened.

Events can remind people of other traumatic events and trigger similar difficulties or upsetting emotions. People most at risk are those who have suffered similar losses or experienced similar events. It is expected that there will be an increase in flashbacks, nightmares, a feeling of loss, emotional pain, a feeling of fear and “on guard”.

What can be done to help immediately after a traumatic event?

After a traumatic event people want to help. In their desire to help, they could make things worse. Single one off sessions, sometimes called debriefing, are not advised just after the trauma. It’s normally better to watch and wait for a month or so before seeking professional help. Taking sleeping pills or benzodiazepines (Valium) just after a traumatic event makes it more likely that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms develop, as this interrupts the brain’s ability to process what happened in a normal way.
Sometimes people think they don’t deserve happiness or are fearful and wish to hide away. Helping people to go out and engage in pleasurable and social activities is also helpful.

What if it’s not you?

If you are a friend or family of the person who has been traumatised by an event, let them know that you are there to listen, without judgment and with compassion. Don’t try to force people to talk, but don’t advise them not to talk about it, or to try to forget it either. Respect their wishes but don’t collude in trying to avoid thinking about the trauma. That only makes things worse.

And if symptoms persist?

A person who has not spoken about what happened after a month, is still suffering from overwhelming emotions, painful memories, lack of sleep or nightmares, then encouraging them to seek professional help is a good idea.

Be careful to select the correct therapist. It should be someone experienced in assessing and treating PTSD. Many therapists claim to be able to treat PTSD using little known treatments or ones without much evidence that they work. There is no pill that will cure PTSD. The recommended approach is to use a psychological therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or EMDR.

Words by Doctify Psychiatrist Dr Brock Chisholm. First published Doctify Health News 23 May 2017 www.doctify.co.uk

The post How to identify psychological trauma appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

“First things first, it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” says Tamsin, who suffered from depression after the birth of her second child. As women, we tend to want to be seen as being totally in control and able to cope with what is, frankly, a shocking and disorientating change to our lives. It may well be planned to the nth degree – that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work out that way. And that’s ok. I experienced PND myself and, looking back, I didn’t realise it was happening to me at the time. That’s a really common thing I hear from mums on a daily basis.”
Dads or close family are the people most likely to ‘see’ PND happening. Here are a few things to look out for in yourself or in your loved one:

• Feeling persistently sad or low
• Taking no pleasure in the things you usually enjoy
• Exhausted, and lacking in motivation
• Not keen to see friends or family
• Irritable and tearful
• Anxiety about things that wouldn’t normally bother you
• Taking no pleasure from being with your baby, or feeling hostile towards him, your partner, or your other children
• Extremely worried about baby’s health, even though he’s fine
• Being fearful that you might harm your baby.

“Depression, postnatal or otherwise, is not your fault. It’s not class related and it’s not a sign that you can’t cope or are a bad mother.” In his work at the Perrymount Clinic, Christian helps countless mothers who suffer from anxiety and depression and his research has led him to some startling findings when it comes to diet and nutrition.

Stress, lack of sleep and, more often than not, a poor diet, can all lead to PND. There are some simple things that can be done to help alleviate symptoms and they’re all about getting back to basics.

Talk about it

PND can make you feel very alone as a new mum. Remember that your partner or loved one may be feeling guilty and defensive about how they see themselves ‘coping’ so reassurance and understanding are important.

Here’s a little top-tip for family and friends

Try not to ask ‘are you ok?’ – a woman’s natural reaction is to say, ‘yes, I’m fine’ because we don’t want to appear weak or unable to cope. That was certainly true for me.
Instead, be brave and say, ‘I love you but I’m not sure that you’re ok, let’s check and maybe get some help.’ Often, just having someone to talk to makes a difference.

Exercise

For tackling PND, exercise is one of the most important and helpful things you can do. It doesn’t need to be ground-breaking – just walking out in in the fresh air with your baby will get those endorphins running.

“Activities such as baby swimming have multiple benefits for mum and baby as classes are focused around child safety and development. And you can get started straight away, we have babies at our swimming classes from 12 weeks old! An added bonus to group activity is that you’ll be around other new mums so can share experiences and make new friends along the way, all of which helps to combat PND,” explains Tamsin.

Nutrition

Things like vitamin deficiencies and omega-3 healthy fat deficiency are known contributors to depression and have been found to be beneficial when added back into the diet.

A woman’s hormone balance can also affect mood. What’s often not known is that female hormones and vitamin D are made out of good cholesterol. Cholesterol is found in good levels in meats, avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, and wild salmon. Many mums are consuming carbohydrates for quick energy rather than meat and, therefore, may not be providing themselves with the ingredients to get their hormones back in balance. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard or take much time to prepare! Here are some quick and healthy alternatives to try:

100% rye toast with smashed avocado or smoked wild salmon and cream cheese
Plain yogurt/kefir with berries, nuts, seeds, and cinnamon
Snack on olives or raw nuts
Hard boiled free range eggs.

“It’s possible that by making simple changes to eating habits and getting back to some gentle exercise, a mum can get back on track and start to feel better,” says Christian.

Tamsin adds, “If you think someone you love is suffering from PND, do try to have a talk to them or someone else about it. Depression isn’t a taboo subject and the more we talk about it, the better prepared we will all be to deal with it.”

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