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Gift From Within - PTSD Questions & Answers with Frank Ochberg, M.D.

PTSD: Definition of PTSD How Common, Who Gets PTSD? Is PTSD a normal event? Does PTSD Affect The Brain? Duration Pregnancy Delayed Onset PTSD PTSD Tip Sheet for your Doctor Medications for PTSD Distinguishing PTSD from BPD Generalized Anxiety Disorder Can the Wounds of PTSD Heal? Complex/Chronic PTSD: CPTSD Explanation Long Term Prognosis & Complex PTSD PTSD vs. CPTSD Managing Past Intense Feelings Overcoming Complex PTSD PTSD Symptoms: Anger and Brain Injury Anger Flashbacks Loneliness Feelings Of Loss And Sense Of Self Anxiety Numbing Re-Traumatization Differences bet. Depression, Dysthemia, Major Depression Depression vs. Sadness and Grief Biological Depression Memory Loss Triggers and Body Sensations PTSD & Facial Tics Emotional & Physical Reactions Delayed Stress Response after Experiencing a Shock Can A False Memory Happen? Differences Between Hypervigilance and Hyperarousal Negativity & Pessismism after Trauma PTSD/PTSI Insomnia: Not Being Able To Sleep PTSD/PTSI & Psychosis Relationships: Peer Support Issues Explaining PTSD To Children False Memory Toxic Family Of Origin Protection From Unwanted Contact Preventing Intergenerational PTSD Numbing in Male Survivors of Domestic Violence How To Increase Social Support Caregivers/Partners with PTSD: Starting a Conversation about PTSD Both Partners with PTSD & its Complications Fiancé Doesn't Believe in Therapy Managing PTSD After Partner Pushes Too Hard Childhood Abuse: Emotional Abuse Childhood Trauma & Intrusive Images Revisiting The Scene Of Trauma And Abuse Gaslighting Stockholm Syndrome & Child Abuse Survivors Can a Child be Born Depressed Childhood Survivors and Being a Parent Work Issues: Disability Letter for Attorney-Sample Low Stress Jobs Doctor's letter for Employer Sample Dealing with Co-Workers Job Searching with PTSD Recovery: Frank Ochberg's Color Wheel of Positive Emotion Triggers Rebuilding Self Esteem Life After Trauma Coping During The Holidays Substance Abuse Improving A Damaged Self-Concept Explaining PTSD is a Responsibility Grief & Loss from a Tragic Death The Trauma Bond & Forgiveness Sudden Panic, Anxiety & Flashbacks Stockholm Syndrome, Trauma Bond and Undue Influence Therapy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Inadequate Therapy When to End Therapy Repeating Your Trauma Story PTSD Symptoms After The Therapy Hour Exposure Therapy Service/Therapy Dogs & PTSD ECT (Electro-Convulsive-Therapy) Bipolar & ECT Therapy: An Interview Telling Trauma Story to Therapist PTSD Client Expectations from Therapy Sessions Veterans & PTSD: PTSD A Disease Seasonal PTSD & Anniversary Reaction. Emotional Injury Therapy Sessions Active Listening for Moms and Friends Military Sexual Assault Professionals: Compassion Fatigue Consequences Of Emotional Numbing School Teachers And PTSD Using The Counting Method with Clients Helping Clients with PTSD Other Conditions: Borderline Personality Disorder Social Phobia Dissociation Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Cutting & Self Harm Link between PTSD, BPD and Bi-Polar Somatization Disorder or Briquet's Syndrome Stockholm Syndrome & Child Abuse Survivors Dealing with Psychopaths & Narcissists

PTSD Questions & Answers with Joyce Boaz & Dr. Frank Ochberg, M.D. Read "Survivor Psalm" by Frank Ochberg

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Recovery: Sudden Panic, Anxiety & Flashbacks Q: Dear Frank, I hear from people who do not know what to do when they their PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, and arousal symptoms appear all of a sudden. What do you advise patients when they are in the position of having to handle an all consuming anxiety moment at a child's ball game, a dinner or even having lunch with a friend or spouse? Is this unusual? A: Dear Joyce, This is common. In most social situations you needn't explain things if you want to get away. You excuse yourself, go outside "to get some fresh air" or go to a rest room, take some time (and, possibly, a pill) and you return when you can tolerate the company. If you have a companion who understands, that person can help with the appropriate comments so that you do not need to enter a dialogue with a tactless friend or relative who asks too many personal questions. One of my earliest PTSD patients was a teacher with panic attacks. She could tell when one was coming on. She could abort the attack in 20 minutes with half a milligram of Xanax. But she didn't want to have to explain her condition to her high school Spanish class. So she devised a plan and she practiced with me. She would pretend to have a nose-bleed when she felt panic approaching. Then she would rush out of class with a napkin to her nose, go to the restroom, take her Xanax, and return, reasonably composed, 20 minutes later. That plan gave her a sense of comfort and calm. She told her principal about her condition and about her plan. He was very supportive. Knowing that he was informed was important to her. I believe I introduced her to a patient of mine who was a school principal in a different district. He had a depressive condition and some trauma in his history. He was kind and encouraging, and that helped my panicky teacher have the courage to approach her own principal. I'm not suggesting that this particular method will suit others and will work in all circumstances. But I do believe that brief, intense episodes of high anxiety will occur in social situations and they deserve collaborative planning. Your therapist may be able to help you devise plans and to introduce you to other helpers, but not all therapists are comfortable going "outside the box." Talk over options with a trusted friend, a counselor, a colleague. Do your best to devise a contingency plan. Have a "cover story." In an ideal world, the "cover story" is the truth and the others who witness an anxiety attack or a flashback are informed, mature and sympathetic. But that isn't always the case. My Spanish teaching patient never had to use her nose-bleed subterfuge. But she had it all worked out and that was a huge relief for her. Tweet Was this helpful to you? If so, please consider supporting our work.

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