Post-traumatic stress disorder, more commonly referred to as PTSD, is a mental health condition that can be triggered by witnessing or directly experiencing a horrifying and disruptive event. Such events include, but are not limited to, sexual abuse, natural disasters, physical violence, martial combat, medical calamities, and motor vehicle accidents. Individuals who fall victim to PTSD will oftentimes experience a notable decline in both their mental and physical health. Fortunately, there is a variety o
The Science Behind PTSD PTSD is notorious for wreaking havoc on the brain's stress circuitry, which includes the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus. The amygdala is responsible for controlling the brains emotional responses. Unfortunately, individuals who have been diagnosed with PTSD have a hyperactive amygdala, meaning they have a heightened fear response and oftentimes experience extreme anxiety in everyday situations. The purpose of the prefrontal cortex is to dampen the amygdala's
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)