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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="212097" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="AOC">AOC</keyword> said she was a <keyword id="46530" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="sexual-assault">sexual assault</keyword> survivor during an Instagram live about the capital insurrection. </li><li>She said the attack compounded with her previous <keyword id="6390970" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Trauma">trauma</keyword>.</li><li>Compounded trauma, or complex trauma, is the build-up of multiple traumas in a person's life. </li></ul>In an Instagram Live about the Capitol attacks on Monday, Rep. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aoc-reveals-she-is-a-survivor-of-sexual-assault-while-relaying-insurrection-story-2021-2">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a> said she was a survivor of sexual assault.Ocasio-Cortez had tears in her eyes as she discussed how she felt the trauma of both events building on each other, and how she's learned that that's a common experience. "Whether you had a negligent parent, or whether you had someone who was verbally abusive to you, whether you are a survivor of abuse, whether you experience any sort of trauma in your life, small to large," Ocasio-Cortez said. "These episodes can compound on each other."Ocasio-Cortez is not alone. According to the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4096796/">US Department of Health and Human Services</a>, an estimated 90% of adults in the United States have had at least one traumatic event happen to them in their life.While the data is thin on how many people experience multiple traumas, any therapist will tell you that it's incredibly common.Take 2020 as an example. In the past year, the world has been gripped by traumatic incident after traumatic incident, with the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/covid-19-pandemic-mental-health-crisis-recovery-years-care-2021-1">stress and devastation of the pandemic</a>, the hypervisibility of violent <a href="https://www.insider.com/police-brutality-imagery-social-media-trauma-mental-health-2020-6">systemic racism,</a> and months of isolation all at the same time. Read More: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aoc-reveals-she-is-a-survivor-of-sexual-assault-while-relaying-insurrection-story-2021-2">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reveals she is a survivor of sexual assault and compares Republicans to abusers for urging Americans to move on from the insurrection</a><h2>What is complex trauma?</h2>Dr. Karol Darsa, trauma expert and founder and executive director of Reconnect Integrative Trauma Treatment Centers, told Insider complex trauma can mean many things.Typically it means a person experiencing multiple traumatic incidents in their life. It can also refer to multiple traumatic incidents happening at once."Complex trauma is an exposure to prolonged, repeated traumatic experiences in which the person feels powerless and severely threatened, or abused," Darsa said. "When it is one traumatic event after another, such as interpersonal, relational trauma on top of sexual or physical abuse that lasts for years it becomes complex trauma."Because complex trauma can affect a person's development, it can impact how they develop healthy relationships and make them more susceptible to abuse and other forms of trauma that can all compound. <h2>How can it be treated?</h2>According to Darsa, complex trauma is typically treated through intensive therapy that helps a person advocate for themself and come up with strategies to aid with moments of disassociation. "Persistent complex trauma can create a sense of disconnect from one's own body and self, therefore the trauma therapy has to gently target this internal disconnect and help the person to connect back to themself," Darsa said. If you don't have access to therapy or mental <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> resources, Darsa said one of the first steps to recovery could be acknowledging how these traumas have hurt you and saying it's ok to be upset. "Also, mindfulness practices that help the person to be more present in here and now are very helpful," Darsa said.

A therapist explains 'compounded trauma' after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the insurrection compounded her grief from sexual assault

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The difference between C<keyword id="140064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="PTSD">PTSD</keyword> and PTSD is that PTSD usually occurs after a single traumatic event, while CPTSD is associated with repeated trauma.</li><li>Events that can lead to PTSD include a serious accident, a sexual assault, or a traumatic childbirth experience, such as losing a baby.</li><li>Events that may lead to CPSTD include experiencing abuse as a child, ongoing domestic violence, or kidnapping.</li><li>This article was <a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medically reviewed</a> by <a href="http://m.alisarubybash.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alisa Ruby Bash</a>, PsyD, LMFT, of Cure by Benya Medical Spa in Malibu, California. </li></ul>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) are both <keyword id="6354774" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mental-health">mental health</keyword> disorders that can develop after you go through a traumatic event, like witnessing violence or being sexually assaulted. There are several important distinctions, however, in how the conditions develop and the best ways to treat them. Here is what you need to know about the difference between CPTSD and PTSD.<h2>The difference between CPTSD and PTSD</h2>You may experience PTSD after going through a<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/complex_ptsd.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> single traumatic event</a>, but CPTSD is often linked to<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/complex_ptsd.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> ongoing or repeated traumas</a>.For example, events that may lead to <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/causes/">PTSD</a> include:<ul><li>A serious accident</li><li>An instance of physical or sexual assault</li><li>A traumatic childbirth experience, such as losing a baby</li><li>A serious <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> problem that may have required being in intensive care</li></ul>On the other hand, events that may cause <a href="https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/complex-ptsd/">CPTSD</a> include:<ul><li>Experiencing abuse or neglect as a child</li><li>Ongoing domestic violence</li><li>Repeatedly bearing witness to violence or abuse</li><li>Torture or kidnapping</li></ul>Overall, you are more likely to experience CPTSD instead of PTSD if the trauma:<ul><li>Occurred at an early age</li><li>Was inflicted by someone close to you</li><li>Was inflicted by someone who you continue to have to see on a regular basis</li></ul><h2>Symptoms of CPTSD and PTSD</h2>Though they often result from different types of trauma, PTSD and CPTSD share<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/symptoms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> many important symptoms</a>, including:<ul><li>Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares</li><li>Avoiding people, places, or thoughts that remind you of the trauma</li><li>Changes in your mood and thinking including feeling distant from other people and having overwhelming negative emotions</li><li>Feeling on edge and becoming irritable, easily frightened, or having difficulty concentrating or sleeping</li></ul>"People with CPTSD typically experience the full gamut of PTSD symptoms," says<a href="https://www.uts.edu.au/staff/david.berle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> David Berle, PhD,</a> a clinical psychologist and psychology professor at the University of Technology Sydney.However, people with CPTSD may also report other distressing symptoms, Berle says. These symptoms can include:<ul><li>Long-term difficulties in maintaining relationships</li><li>Difficulties managing emotions</li><li>Strong feelings of worthlessness and guilt</li><li><a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/complex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Physical symptoms</a> like headaches, chest pains, and stomach aches</li><li><a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/complex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suicidal thoughts</a></li></ul><h2>Treatment differences between CPTSD and PTSD</h2>Because PTSD and CPTSD come with different symptoms, you may need different types of treatment to heal from trauma.<h3>PTSD treatment</h3>PTSD is usually treated with trauma-focused therapies. During these therapies, "The person is encouraged to recall and process the traumatic event(s) in the safe and controlled environment of a therapy session," says Berle. One common therapy for PTSD is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).<a href="https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> In EMDR</a>, you revisit and describe memories of your trauma while a therapist leads you through a series of eye movements that work to shift how your brain processes traumatic memories.Another treatment for PTSD is<a href="https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/cognitive-behavioral-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT</a>), which helps you transform your negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors into more healthy alternatives. This can help you learn to respond differently to trauma triggers and change fearful thinking. CBT treatment for PTSD generally lasts for<a href="https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/treatments-for-ptsd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 8 to 12 sessions</a>. PTSD may also be treated with medications including <a href="https://www.insider.com/do-antidepressants-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antidepressants</a> like sertraline (Zoloft) or paroxetine (Paxil) and<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/benzos_va.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> anti-anxiety medications</a> like clonazepam (Klonopin). <h3>CPTSD treatment</h3>"CPTSD treatment typically includes all the elements of standard PTSD treatment," Berle says, but it often adds an element of skill-building. This can the following learning strategies: <ul><li>Managing strong emotions</li><li>Creating supportive relationships</li><li>Addressing feelings of worthlessness and guilt</li></ul>This may be especially important if you have experienced early trauma like child abuse, as you may have never learned how to trust other people or feel safe in the world, Berle says."CPTSD treatment takes longer than standard PTSD treatment: sometimes six months or more of regular appointments," Berle says. It takes longer to treat because, during a prolonged trauma, you may develop habits to protect yourself, like constantly looking for danger or distancing yourself from other people. There are currently no medications specifically recommended for CPTSD. Though it can be hard to change your long-term habits, if you commit to these treatment programs, Berle says you may be able to effectively treat your condition. <h2>The bottom line</h2>PTSD and CPTSD are mental health conditions that can seriously interrupt your life if left untreated. There are several treatment options available, however, that can help you heal from the lasting effects of trauma. If you have symptoms but aren't sure if you have PTSD or CPTSD, ask your doctor for an evaluation or a referral for a trauma specialist.<h2>Related articles from <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a>:</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/is-bipolar-genetic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is bipolar disorder genetic? Yes, but that doesn't guarantee you'll develop it</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-deal-with-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to deal with depression and lift your mood</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/am-i-depressed-quiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Am I depressed? A quiz to gauge your symptoms and find the right treatment</a></li></ul>

The difference between CPTSD and PTSD and how to treat each condition

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/fireworks-going-off-in-cities-across-the-us-conspiracy-theories-2020-6">Fireworks have been lighting up the sky over major US cities</a> like New York and Los Angeles night after night since the beginning of June. </li><li>Insider spoke to Dr. <a href="https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1265911200/jessica-b-stern" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Stern,</a> a clinical psychologist at NYU Langone's Steven A. Cohen Military Family Center, about the long-term effects of <keyword id="54214" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword>. </li><li>Repetitive fireworks launched at night can cause disruptions in <keyword id="6372996" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sleep">sleep</keyword>, heightened <keyword id="15418" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="anxiety">anxiety</keyword>, and difficulty concentrating in general. The <keyword id="23666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="stress">stress</keyword> can weaken your immune system.</li><li>For those with <keyword id="140064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="PTSD">PTSD</keyword>, <keyword id="11762" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Autism">autism</keyword>, and other conditions that cause sensitivity to sound, fireworks "may instantaneously activate the brain's threat detector" and cause sensory overload. </li></ul>Fireworks are so beloved that, on July 4 alone, Americans <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/03/americans-spend-1-billion-on-fireworks-but-laws-vary-by-state.html#:~:text=Spend-,Americans%20spend%20%241%20billion%20on%20fireworks%2C%20but%20setting%20them,may%20mean%20fines%20or%20worse&amp;text=A%20man%20holds%20Roman%20candle%20fireworks%20during%20Indpendence%20Day%20celebrations.&amp;text=It's%20estimated%20that%20Americans%20will,on%20fireworks%20this%20Independence%20Day.e%20Day.">spend an estimated $1 billion</a>.But for people living in major cities like New York and Los Angeles in the past month, they've become less of a celebration and <a href="https://www.insider.com/fireworks-going-off-in-cities-across-the-us-conspiracy-theories-2020-6">more of a public nuisance. </a>Since the beginning of June, fireworks have been launching nearly every night from late afternoon until the early morning hours. Gothamist reported New York City's 311 line <a href="https://gothamist.com/news/firework-complaints-increase-230x-june-officials-seek-supplier-crackdown">received 6,385 firework complaints between June 1 to June 19</a>, 236 times the amount seen during the same period of time last year. Vibrant explosions can cause serious <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> consequences. And while the damaging effects may not be so critically harmful as a one-off, a constant stream of them can be.Insider spoke to Dr. <a href="https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1265911200/jessica-b-stern" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Stern,</a> a clinical psychologist at NYU Langone's Steven A. Cohen Military Family Center, about the long-term effects of fireworks. <h2>Loss of sleep, irritability, and difficulty concentrating </h2>The fact that fireworks, for the most part, are set off at night makes them particularly problematic, when it comes to health."Fireworks can disrupt the ability to fall or stay asleep, particularly if the fireworks cause a startle-response that lingers a bit longer," Stern told Insider. "Similarly, when fireworks become paired in the brain with bedtime, this can cause people to be on high alert at sleep time, and may, in more particular occasions, cause someone to be avoidant of sleep." The lack of sleep caused by fireworks can then impact other areas of your life. Your ability to focus, short term memory, and overall demeanor are all linked to how you sleep."For individuals who find that fireworks cause stress, anxiety, or irritability, this can impact mood; because stress can impact health, this may cause fatigue or tension in the mind and the body," Stern told Insider. <h2>Stress and restlessness weaken the body's immune system and its ability to fight off illness</h2>There is <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21646821.2012.11079859">no</a> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1984006314000601">shortage</a> <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/355/bmj.i5210.abstract">of</a> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2017.55">research</a> to show that poor sleep impacts your physical health and cognitive function."For individuals who find that fireworks impact sleep, poorer quality of sleep can impact many facets of health, such as feeling fatigued, having body tension, [and] headaches," Stern told Insider. A <a href="https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/40/1/zsw019/2952682">2017 study</a> on twins found a link between sleep deprivation and a weaker immune system, increasing the risks of imflammatory disorders, digestive issues, and general sickness. <h2>The impact is worse on people with PTSD, autism, and other conditions that cause sensitivity to sound</h2>People with past trauma related to sound like, people with Complex PTSD, people with autism, and people with other forms of sensitivity to noise are all impacted significantly worse by the explosions of fireworks. "For some of these individuals, including individuals who were exposed to other types of trauma, these sounds can be reminiscent of threat and may instantaneously activate the brain's threat detector," Stern said."This may true also for people with anxiety, Autism, and other individuals with a sensitivity to sounds or are susceptible to sensory overload." Read More:<a href="https://www.insider.com/signs-you-might-be-over-critical-and-controlling-in-relationship-2020-6">4 signs you're being overly critical in your relationship — and 4 things you can do about it</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/being-in-a-controlling-relationship-can-affect-your-health-lifespan-2020-6">People who are constantly criticized by their partner may have poorer health and a higher risk of early death</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/signs-that-you-have-love-addiction-2020-1">7 signs that you're a love addict, according to an expert</a>

How night after night of fireworks affects your body and mind, from increased anxiety to memory problems, according to a psychologist

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A tech worker uses microdosing to manage PTSD and improve her job performance.</li><li>Microdosing helps her focus and reduces panic attacks, enhancing work efficiency.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a 46-year-old tech worker from Atlanta who wanted to remain anonymous for privacy and professional reasons. Business Insider verified her identity and employment, and her words have been edited for length and clarity.I work in tech for a notable Fortune 40 company. I began working for this company in 2004 when I was 26 years old. In 2012, my company <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-to-atlanta-the-city-to-watch-in-2023-2022-12">placed me in Atlanta</a> to open a new hub, so I moved there with my husband and daughter.One day at work, I was told to speak to an employee who was deemed combative. On the way to speak to this person, I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I went to the bathroom to try to calm down, but I still felt out of breath. I continued through my workday with this feeling.Later that day, I gave a presentation. As I began presenting, my voice and entire body began shaking. I didn't realize it was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/mental-health/panic-attack-vs-anxiety-attack">a panic attack</a>. A couple of years later, in 2014, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-microdosing-2019-1">I began microdosing</a> to battle those intense feelings. I realized it made me better at my job — even though I do have to be careful.<h2 id="4edebac1-0379-40bf-b082-b2a19782089a">I started microdosing to help with my complex PTSD</h2>I had a traumatic life as a child, which included abuse and abandonment. This caused me to develop <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/mental-health/cptsd-vs-ptsd">complex PTSD</a>, and I was diagnosed with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/mental-health/dissociative-identity-disorder">dissociative personality disorder</a> as an adult. When I moved to Atlanta, it was the most stressful job I ever had. I was in charge of hundreds of employees who directly reported to me.During this time, my ex-husband from my previous marriage began a court case to gain custody of our daughter. It was the most stressful time of my life. My colleague suggested I talk to a professional and get help, but I was afraid of seeing a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/mental-health/cognitive-behavioral-therapy">cognitive behavioral therapist</a> or "talk therapist." Before I moved to Atlanta, talking about my past with a therapist made my body feel like it was physically in danger because of my CPTSD.I also tried focus patches, ADHD medication, and all sorts of physical changes to my environment, but nothing worked, or the side effects were unpleasant. I didn't want to put myself through that this time.In April 2013, I began to attend a nondenominational church where I met a life coach. She recommended using mushrooms medicinally to process trauma. In December 2013, I attended my first <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/my-scary-very-trippy-life-altering-experience-ayahuasca-cave-shaman-2022-6">medicine ceremony</a>.<h2 id="212fe047-1d2f-41fe-b2fa-4568c3fa425a">My performance at work was suffering</h2>Although it helped me feel relieved, at this time, I was being told that my work performance was suffering. I was disassociating at work due to stress, which made my <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/survived-performance-plan-wasnt-worth-hard-work-2024-1">work performance inconsistent</a>. I was disassociating outside work as well.During my dissociations, I felt disconnected from my body and my environment. Sometimes I would be driving in my car and feel like my car was floating. I decided to give cognitive behavioral therapy another try.From attending my medicine ceremonies, I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/psychedelics-work-microdosing-lsd-psilocybin-ketamine-retreats-elon-musk-2024-3">learned about microdosing</a>. My body is very sensitive to drugs and alcohol, so I was interested in finding out more about how microdosing would affect me. But I didn't know where to get drugs. I found someone who sold me 10 microdosing capsules through my ceremony contacts for $40. I took the capsules for two days, then took one day off. Since I was taking them multiple days a week, this became expensive.Buying from dealers was difficult and inconsistent, so I decided to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-grow-edible-mushrooms-from-spores-to-shroom-2022-12">grow my own mushrooms</a>. I experimented and learned how to do it myself, growing it in a tub. <h2 id="1f70e759-a639-4670-a7df-c3e78f95c05c">The combination of traditional talk therapy and microdosing has changed my life</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-psychedelics-change-brain-neuron-growth-2023-2">Microdosing creates space</a> between my mental, emotional, and physical states, so I disassociate less and am less prone to panic attacks. When I have big projects, I have difficulty figuring out where to start or what to focus on. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/functional-mushroom-supplement-promises-focus-with-lions-mane-2022-2">Microdosing helps me focus</a> on one task at a time to tackle the project in smaller parts and not feel overwhelmed.Although my job requires coding, research is also a major component of my work. I often have to solve unique problems that don't have a lot of literature about them. This makes it difficult to stay focused because I'm constantly going back and forth between coding and research, but microdosing helps me get into a state of flow.Despite being a bit foggy about the problems I'm working on, I can stay on track when I switch between research and coding. It also <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-memory-supplement-plant-protein-berries-scientist-2024-2">helps me to remember</a> new information better.<h2 id="c80d299c-9a4e-4861-a98b-2eade3473065">My therapist has cautioned me against medecine ceremonies</h2>I do have to be careful. There was one time I accidentally took double the usual dose, saw my hands shaking, and realized that I was too intoxicated to work. I knew I couldn't handle a meeting with coworkers in this state. Luckily, I was able to take some time during my lunch break to get back to my regular state and was able to get back to work.I'm open with my therapist about my microdosing. She's supportive, though she has cautioned me about attending medicine ceremonies because <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-magic-mushrooms-dangerous-2019-1">taking high doses of mushrooms</a> can cause disassociation. My body already disassociates due to PTSD, so it could make things worse for me.<h2 id="71504349-acb6-4360-bb89-b61bece07072">My performance has improved now I'm an advocate</h2>I don't need Xanax or antidepressants. I just need a little help. Microdosing helps me bridge the gap between traditional medication and white-knuckling it through life. My performance at work has improved a lot.Since I began microdosing, I've been a much better mother, wife, employee, and person. I'm an advocate.Editor's note: There's no medical consensus about whether these psychedelics have benefits, and these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-magic-mushrooms-dangerous-2019-1">drugs can come with risks</a>. If you have any unique experience with microdosing at work and want to share your story, please email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinisder.com.

I began microdosing to help with my PTSD. It made me better at my tech job — but I still have to be careful.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Therapists are using their TikTok platforms to increase awareness of mental health issues.</li><li>Their videos cover a wide range of topics, including anxiety, depression, and relationships.</li></ul>Watching TikTok videos will never replace going to therapy and working on mental health with a trained professional. But for many, the platform has become a useful educational resource that has helped them to learn more about psychology and understand themselves better. Many of the videos have been created by trained professionals who want to reduce the stigma around mental health, help people identify their patterns, and offer advice, and the genre is popular — the <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/therapytok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#TherapyTok</a> hashtag has 2 billion views.In a sea of creators, here are 10 of the most popular therapy TikTok creators who you should follow. <h2>Julie Smith (Dr. Julie)</h2> Dr. Julie Smith is a clinical psychologist based in the UK who started posting content on social media in 2019 after running her own private practice for almost a decade, according to her <a href="https://www.drjulie.uk/">website</a>.On TikTok, she goes by the username <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@drjulie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@drjulie</a>, and has 4.7 million followers.She uses her platform to share mental health education and insights from psychology research to help people to understand anxiety and depression, and learn more about how their mind works. She also posts videos to help people cope with stress, burnout, grief, depression, anxiety, and loneliness.<h2>Courtney Tracy (The Truth Doctor)</h2> Dr. Courtney Tracy is a licensed social worker and a doctor of clinical psychology, according to her <a href="https://www.thetruthdoctor.com/about-the-truth-doctor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, and has over 10 years of experience working with clients, including founding a treatment center in California.Tracy posts TikTok videos on her account <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@the.truth.doctor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@the.truth.doctor</a>, where she has 1.8 million followers, and specializes in substance use and borderline personality disorder. She uses her platform to help people set and assert boundaries and deal with trauma, addiction, depression, and anxiety. She occasionally responds to videos by other creators and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@the.truth.doctor/video/7237633941786889518">offers advice</a> to help them cope with stressful situations. <h2>Shani Tran (The Shani Project)</h2> Shani Tran is a therapist with a bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in educational psychology, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=6e9acf21fabe1b901c1f0f6950747b9d588ef7dd9a7a634528cd8ce2233e3566&amp;postID=65310c9b3f64add278f5cb1c&amp;postSlug=the-best-therapists-to-follow-on-tiktok-2023-10&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fshani-tran-11a84667%2F">according to her LinkedIn account</a>. She is also the founder of the mental health services provider <a href="https://www.theshaniproject.com/">"The Shani Project."</a>Tran goes by the TikTok username <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theshaniproject" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@theshaniproject,</a> and has over 500,000 followers on her account. She uses her platform to destigmatize mental health issues and provide tips for other therapists. In her TikTok bio, she includes a caveat for her audience: "TikTok is not therapy." <h2>Micheline Maalouf</h2> Micheline Maalouf is a neurodivergent Arab-American licensed counselor and mental health creator, according to her bio. She goes by the TikTok username <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@micheline.maalouf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@micheline.maalouf</a>, and has 1.1 million followers.Maalouf uses her platform to post content about how to set boundaries, how to deal with ADHD and intrusive thoughts, and how to identify and cope with trauma responses.<h2>Nadia Addesi</h2> Nadia Addesi is a registered social worker and therapist who helps her clients understand and manage their emotions, and regulate their nervous system, according to her <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/nadia-addesi-vaughan-on/726149">profile</a> on Psychology Today. On TikTok she goes by the username <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nadiaaddesi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@nadiaaddesi</a>, and she has 2.9 million followers.Addesi posts content about how to identify signs of anxiety and depression, how to cope with low self-esteem, how to deal with loneliness, and shares tips for improving self-worth. <h2>Sarah Ahmed (The POC Therapist)</h2> Sarah Ahmed is a psychotherapist with a master's degree in counseling. She works with people who are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, or general life stressors, according to her <a href="https://solwaypsychology.com/our-clinicians/sarah-ahmed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>. She also runs Leena, a BIPOC-focused mental health platform. On TikTok she goes by the username <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@the.poc.therapist">@the.poc.therapist</a>, and she has 164,000 followers.She posts BIPOC-focused content about setting boundaries and navigating jealousy, codependency, and conflict in relationships. <h2>Matthias J Barker</h2> Matthias Barker is a therapist based in Spokane, Washington, with a master's degree in mental health, according to <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=910f520de8e0477c5c6f509eb42fd283131e13628716104294890a7335969eb7&amp;postID=65310c9b3f64add278f5cb1c&amp;postSlug=the-best-therapists-to-follow-on-tiktok-2023-10&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmatthias-barker-7b835373" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his LinkedIn profile</a>. As well as offering private virtual therapy sessions, he provides courses and workshops designed to help people heal trauma, cope with anxiety, and set boundaries. On TikTok, Barker goes by the username <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@matthiasjbarker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@matthiasjbarker</a>, and he has 2.7 million followers on his account.He posts content about how to navigate difficult relationships with parents, how to deal with conflict and criticism in relationships, and how to start taking the steps needed to heal from trauma.

You need to follow these therapists on TikTok

A mental health activist speaks out about their psychosis and how they manage delusions and hallucinations

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tammy Chow posted a video of herself screaming and shaking, calling it a trauma-processing technique.</li><li>The self-help creator was widely ridiculed for setting up a camera to re-enact the emotionally raw moment.</li></ul>A TikToker named <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@somaticspirit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tammy Chow</a>, whose bio identifies her as a "trauma healing and soul alignment coach," is defending herself amid a flood of backlash in recent weeks for filming herself re-enacting a trauma-processing technique, which involved sitting on her bed while shaking and screaming. In late May, Chow, who goes by @somaticspirit on TikTok to her 58,000 followers, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@somaticspirit/video/7237545574583815470?embed_source=121352282%2C121351166%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&amp;refer=embed&amp;referer_url=www.insider.com%2Fpost%2Fpreview%3Fpost_id%3D6495d6dd7e1bbd673b4ed3f1%26mode%3Ddesktop&amp;referer_video_id=7237545574583815470" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted a video</a> of the so-called "shaking" technique. She explained in a voiceover that she was "processing the most triggering breakup" she's had in nine years – the day before she was slated to fly abroad to meet her parents on vacation.Chow's video went hugely viral with 5.9 million views. But rather than empathizing with her emotional journey, commenters ridiculed her for choosing to stage and film the raw moment, with one likening it to an "SNL skit." "The thought of you setting up the camera to record that first clip is SO FUNNY LOL," reads the top comment, with 22,000 upvotes. "No matter how delulu i am, i would never be able to post this omg," another wrote.In response, weeks later, a man claiming to be Chow's ex-boyfriend (of the "triggering breakup") appeared in <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@somaticspirit/video/7244675178050080046" target="_blank" rel="noopener">another TikTok video</a> to defend her. Sitting beside Chow in a car, he argued that the "shaking" technique was valid and urged viewers to have "compassion." But this only added to the pile-on. "No way she did the Harlem shake over this guy," one commenter retorted, while another criticized the trend of self-help TikToks more broadly: "This is why these ppl selling courses online have to be stopped. (On her <a href="https://www.somatic-spirit.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, Chow offers a six-month "Awakening the Wild Woman" workshop, as well as one-on-one sessions.)The backlash had grown so widespread on the app that it's almost become a meme. Brandon Calvillo, a creator with 4.2 million TikTok followers, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bjcalvillo/video/7244295815936609578" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted a parody last week</a> showing himself setting up a tripod to film his emotional reaction after learning his "entire family died in a plane crash." Finally, over the weekend, Chow returned to TikTok to address the issue more directly. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@somaticspirit/video/7245817445041065258" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In a video responding</a> to a critical comment, she explained that shaking enabled her "nervous system to expel the built-up survival energy that needs to leave [her] system," but acknowledged that the clip had been staged. "It didn't feel authentic to actually take out my camera during a time which I'm going through an extreme panic attack," she said. "I can go through my process and then reenact it so that I can share my story."Chow subsequently posted <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@somaticspirit/video/7246633299408342318" target="_blank" rel="noopener">another video</a>, this time in jest, showing a shaking session to process the "triggering internet trolling." She also urged viewers not to contribute to cyberbullying."It is my sincerest hope that we don't respond to people with complex PTSD with bullying because it actually leads to suicide," she said. Chow did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.

A self-help microinfluencer defended re-enacting a 'trauma-processing technique' for TikTok after viewers ridiculed her for filming herself screaming and shaking in bed

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Abigail Breslin shared an Instagram post on Friday for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.</li><li>Breslin said she was in an abusive relationship for two years. </li></ul>Abigail Breslin said she experienced domestic violence in a previous abusive relationship. Breslin shared the candid details Friday on Instagram to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which occurs each October. The 26-year-old began the multi-slide post with a trigger warning for her 532,000 followers. "As a DV survivor I felt compelled to write a little bit about my story," Breslin wrote. "I was in a very abusive relationship for close to 2 years. It all started out perfectly, I was so in love. Unfortunately, my abuser took advantage of my innocence and naïeveté and the relationship subsequently became violent."Breslin continued that she was "beaten on a regular basis" and dealt with "intense injuries." "I was beaten on a regular basis, locked into rooms and forced to pretend everything was ok and normal while dealing with intense injuries…injuries most people didn't even see," Breslin wrote. "I would use concealer and caked on foundation to hide any and all bruises, because in some way, I still cared for this person." <div type="image" title="Abigail Breslin poses during a photocall for the film &quot;Stillwater&quot; at the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival" height="1807" width="2409" msid="94885974" hostid="261" sizebytes="213788"></div>Breslin wrote that her physical injuries were accompanied by "a plethora" of verbal abuse, shaming, and "put downs." "I felt so unworthy of anyone's love," she wrote. "I felt ugly and hated. I felt like I deserved less than dirt. I was certain, there must be something inherently wrong with me. That I was a bitch, a problem, stupid, useless, ridiculous, overly sensitive, unreasonable and unlovable."Breslin said those two years were "the loneliest I ever felt" before thanking her family and friends for their "invaluable role in helping me leave this horrible situation." The "Zombieland" actress then touched on her <a href="https://www.insider.com/abigail-breslin-shares-engagement-ring-pictures-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">current engagement to 31-year-old Ira Kunyansky. </a>The couple announced their engagement in February. <div type="image" title="Abigail Breslin and Ira Kunyanksy at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscars after party." height="998" width="1331" msid="94885976" hostid="261" sizebytes="70480"></div>"I now am in a wonderful, healthy, happy, and amazing relationship with my fiancé. My C-PTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder) is much better than it was in the first 2-3 years after my abusive relationship, but, I still have moments," Breslin wrote. "I still occasionally have nightmares, and certain things still do trigger me. I am still healing." Representatives for Breslin did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. <a href="https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence</a> reported that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Insider's Rebecca Strong spoke with licensed professional counselors Elizabeth Fedrick and Dr. Taish Malone, to share <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/domestic-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nine subtle signs of domestic abuse. </a>Regarding how to get help, Dr. Malone said finding a therapist or support group can help domestic violence victims identify and work through the effects of abuse, bolster self-esteem if it's been affected, and come up with a safety plan for leaving.If therapy isn't accessible, Fedrick suggested telling a loved one who can validate the experience and provide emotional support.

'Little Miss Sunshine' star Abigail Breslin says she's 'still healing' after opening up as a domestic violence survivor

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Everyone has a natural stress response: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn </li><li>Exposure to trauma can cause these responses to appear when they're not necessary.</li></ul>Despite our best efforts to control our bodies, sometimes our natural instincts take over. For example, when you face a threat like a near car crash, your <a href="https://www.td.org/insights/the-neuroscience-of-reward-and-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sympathetic nervous system</a> takes control: Your heart rate goes up, you start to sweat, and your pupils dilate. You can't control these reactions because they are your body's instinct to survive under stress. "Human beings are biologically wired for survival," says <a href="https://nami.org/About-NAMI/Who-We-Are/Meet-Our-Leadership/Senior-Leadership/Ken-Duckworth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Ken Duckworth</a>, a psychiatrist and chief medical officer of the <a href="https://nami.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>. "In the face of a real or perceived threat to our lives, natural defense mechanisms kick in and focus the body and brain acutely and exclusively on dealing with that threat."While we all have that survival instinct, we react to them in different ways.For example, if your response to that near car accident is to repeatedly honk your horn and yell at the other driver, then your stress response in that situation is "fight." There are four stress responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, says <a href="https://www.lifewisevt.com/david-helfand-psyd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. David Helfand</a>, a psychologist at <a href="https://www.lifewisevt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LifeWise Therapy</a>. In some cases, these responses can be useful, or even life saving. But in other cases, our brains rely too much on these stress responses, in a way that can be impairing. For example, chronic stress or trauma can rewire the brain to believe that threats are constantly present — a common symptom of many mental health conditions, like PTSD. "Our nervous systems tend to focus on negative emotions and experiences because that is what will help us survive," Helfand says. "Unfortunately, in our modern life it hurts our chances to thrive."<h2>How to identify fight, flight, freeze, and fawn</h2>Stress responses are not necessarily harmful, but if they appear more often than not, they can impair your day-to-day. That's why it's important to understand how to identify these responses. Below, we've outlined each of the four main stress responses and how to tell if they're hindering your quality of life.<h3>1. Fight</h3>The fight response involves <a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/fight-flight-freeze-fawn.html#:~:text=While%20out%20for%20a%20walk,as%20the%20acute%20stress%20response)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">aggressively facing the threat</a>. That often includes physically or verbally attacking, Helfand says. People who default to this stress response seek to resolve a threat through <a href="https://www.hricdubai.com/trauma-response-the-4fs/#:~:text=The%20responses%20are%20usually%20referred,quickly%20to%20life-threatening%20situations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">conflict</a>. Examples of a fight response <a href="https://www.ptsduk.org/its-so-much-more-than-just-fight-or-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">include</a>:<ul><li>Physically reacting or fighting</li><li>A clenched jaw or fists</li><li>Yelling, berating, or mocking others</li><li>Slamming doors, destroying property or becoming aggressive </li></ul>People with a fight response might:<ul><li>Ignore others and want the final say</li><li>Have explosive tempers or be easily reactive</li><li>Feel constantly under threat</li><li>Push back on authority</li><li>Feel remorse or shame after outbursts</li></ul><h3>2. Flight</h3>The flight response involves <a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/fight-flight-freeze-fawn.html#:~:text=While%20out%20for%20a%20walk,as%20the%20acute%20stress%20response)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">running away from the threat</a>. People with this pattern protect themselves by <a href="https://www.hricdubai.com/trauma-response-the-4fs/#:~:text=The%20responses%20are%20usually%20referred,quickly%20to%20life-threatening%20situations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">escaping or fleeing</a> danger. Examples of a flight response include the following, Helfand says:<ul><li>Literally running away from a threat</li><li>Leaving home after a fight or disagreement</li><li>Ghosting people</li><li>Ending relationships abruptly</li><li>Avoiding commitment, including in relationships</li></ul>People with a flight response may exhibit <a href="https://www.ptsduk.org/its-so-much-more-than-just-fight-or-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">these behaviors</a>:<ul><li>Trouble being still or having downtime</li><li>Intense focus on work or other achievements</li><li>Micromanaging </li><li>Rushing around</li><li>Being easily distracted</li><li>Experiencing <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/what-is-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anxiety</a> or <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-sour-candy-may-calm-your-next-panic-attack-therapist-2021-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">panic attacks</a> </li></ul><h3>3. Freeze</h3>People who freeze are <a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/fight-flight-freeze-fawn.html#:~:text=While%20out%20for%20a%20walk,as%20the%20acute%20stress%20response)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">unable to react</a> to and often dissociate from a threat. "The freeze response is not about movement but rather a kind of pause response," Duckworth says. In the moment you freeze, you <a href="https://www.hricdubai.com/trauma-response-the-4fs/#:~:text=The%20responses%20are%20usually%20referred,quickly%20to%20life-threatening%20situations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">may</a>:<ul><li>Be unable to respond. </li><li>Let others yell at you.</li><li>Have a sense of dread</li><li>Hold your breath</li><li>Experience cold, numb, or pale skin</li><li>Have a lowered heart rate</li><li>Feel a sense of stiffness </li><li>Dissociate </li></ul>People who freeze may experience <a href="https://www.ptsduk.org/its-so-much-more-than-just-fight-or-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">these behaviors</a>:<ul><li>Feeling very calm</li><li>Having the feeling of watching yourself, or being removed from the situation</li><li>Shut down or avoid situations</li><li>Feel that life is pointless</li><li>Have trouble distinguishing reality (what's really happening and what is not)</li><li>Self isolation</li><li>Heavy social media use</li><li>Giving up quickly</li></ul>People who freeze can sometimes be misdiagnosed with <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/what-is-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener">depression</a>. <h3>4. Fawn</h3>People who fawn try to resolve a threat by <a href="https://www.hricdubai.com/trauma-response-the-4fs/#:~:text=The%20responses%20are%20usually%20referred,quickly%20to%20life-threatening%20situations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">placating</a> the aggressor or <a href="https://www.ptsduk.org/its-so-much-more-than-just-fight-or-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moving closer</a> to the threat. Fawning "involves a pleasing response to reduce conflict and trauma," Duckworth says. This behavior often <a href="https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/the-trauma-response-of-fawning-aka-people-pleasing-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shows up</a> in people with <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/cptsd-vs-ptsd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complex PTSD</a> (CPTSD), including those who have childhood trauma, he notes.A fawn response can <a href="https://www.ptsduk.org/its-so-much-more-than-just-fight-or-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">manifest as</a>:<ul><li>People pleasing</li><li>Following others' leads or their decision making</li><li>Being reliant on others</li><li>Being aware of other people's needs, often while ignoring your own</li><li>Being overly polite or agreeable</li><li>Avoiding saying no</li><li>Dissociating </li></ul>Note: Fawn is the newest stress response, and is <a href="https://www.hricdubai.com/trauma-response-the-4fs/#:~:text=The%20responses%20are%20usually%20referred,quickly%20to%20life-threatening%20situations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">less researched</a> than other responses. <h2>What to do if you're stuck in a stress response </h2>If you've survived a trauma or are living with PTSD, then therapy can help, Duckworth says. He recommends trying these <a href="https://www.insider.com/surprising-forms-of-therapy-2019-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">therapy options</a>:<ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/what-is-emdr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy)</a></li><li>Exposure therapy</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/r-neurofeedback-training-could-build-soldiers-resilience-to-stress-2018-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Neurofeedback</a> </li><li>Internal family systems (IFS) therapy </li></ul>It's also important to reduce stress and allow yourself opportunities to relax, Helfand says. <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/mindfulness-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mindfulness techniques</a> or grounding techniques, in conjunction with therapy, can help with this. "Those with trauma have learned that relaxing is equated with vulnerability, so you have to slowly teach your nervous system that it is safe to be relaxed at certain times," he says. <h2>Insider's takeaway </h2>Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn are four ways that people respond to different threats depending on their personality and circumstances. (and past experience)They evolved to help people deal with threats, like attacking predators. But sometimes people can become stuck in these stress responses, which can lead to self-blame or distrusting others — especially if they have a trauma history. If you believe you are stuck in a stress response, professional therapy can help you calm and rewire your nervous system so it's not constantly in a state of stress. A mental health professional can help you cope with daily stressors through a healthy, compassionate approach.

How you react to stressful situations explains a lot about your personality and circumstances

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Kidnapping dreams can mean you feel stressed or trapped by a relationship or your responsibilities.</li><li>These dreams may also happen as your brain works to process a frightening or traumatic experience.</li></ul>Dreams about being kidnapped can feel vivid and terrifying, even if you don't have many concerns about kidnapping in your waking hours. These dreams often relate to everyday sources of stress, from a rift in your romantic relationship to concerns about everyday tasks piling up. This theme may be especially common among people who feel anxious in their everyday lives, according to <a href="https://thepleasantdream.com/reviewer/nereida-gonzalez-berrios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios</a>, a medical doctor and psychiatrist in private practice.Below, you'll find four possible interpretations of kidnapping dreams from mental health professionals, plus some tips for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/learning/best-dream-books" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deciphering common dreams</a> — and keeping them from messing with your rest. <h2>1. Feeling controlled or trapped</h2>If you're having dreams about being kidnapped, it may mean you feel equally <a href="https://www.dreambible.com/search.php?q=Kidnapped" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trapped</a> in your waking hours."This dream may be telling you to free yourself from a toxic bond," says <a href="https://drnancyirwin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nancy Irwin</a>, a clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist in private practice. This bond could be a <a href="https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/7-signs-of-a-toxic-relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controlling or manipulative</a> situation in your work, family, or romantic relationships.Setting firmer <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/sex-relationships/boundaries-in-relationships" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boundaries</a> in your personal and professional relationships can help you take back control in your waking hours. For instance, you might try: <ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-create-work-life-balance-thats-good-for-health-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taking your full lunch break</a> — away from your desk. </li><li>Leaving a conversation if <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/sex-relationships/boundaries-in-relationships" target="_blank" rel="noopener">name-calling</a> happens.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-create-work-life-balance-thats-good-for-health-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asking for time off</a> or using your sick days to prevent burnout.</li><li>Setting <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/sex-relationships/boundaries-in-relationships" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limits</a> on how much time you spend with other people.</li></ul>Regaining a sense of control may help prevent similar dreams in the future. <h2>2. Fear of losing your child </h2>Dreams about a child or other loved one being kidnapped could represent a fear of losing someone close to you. It's natural to want to protect your loved ones — especially vulnerable children. Many theories around dreaming suggest dream content <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01553/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comes from the residue of your day</a>, which may involve worries about your child's safety. So, making sure your child or teen knows <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/abductions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how to handle interactions with strangers</a> may help alleviate some of your fear.You might, for instance, establish <a href="https://www.insider.com/family-code-word-saves-girl-from-kidnapping-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a code word</a> only your family knows so your kids never get in the car with someone claiming to know you. If this dream lingers even after you've had the stranger danger talk, a therapist can help you manage lingering <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/how-to-calm-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anxiety</a> symptoms. Note: An intense fear of kidnapping that causes ongoing distress and gets in the way of daily life could be a specific phobia called abductophobia. Phobias go beyond simple worry and fear — they're mental health conditions that often require treatment from a trained therapist.<h2>3. A daunting to-do list</h2>"Kidnapping dreams might mean you're living like a hostage in waking hours," Gonzalez-Berrios says. This feeling could manifest from an unfinished task like the doctor's appointment you keep meaning to schedule, or that dreaded conversation with your roommate about their months of past-due rent.When that glaring item on your to-do list holds you hostage, so to speak, tackling it could promote a sense of self-satisfaction and achievement and help banish those kidnapping dreams. Quick tip: Struggling to get started on a task that inspires anxiety? Try breaking it up into <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/how-to-stop-procrastinating" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smaller steps</a>. If you need to make a doctor's appointment, you might start by finding a practice with good reviews. Then, move on to checking out their website. Finally, make the call — or send an email — to book an appointment. <h2>4. Trauma</h2>Kidnapping dreams may relate to fears and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8451207/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">memories your conscious mind has repressed, </a>Gonzalez-Berrios says, so a dream about being kidnapped could suggest unprocessed <a href="https://www.insider.com/young-women-sharing-trauma-addiction-abuse-stories-in-tiktok-videos-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trauma</a>. A kidnapping dream could also reflect your unconscious mind's efforts to accept the traumatic event and grow from it, Irwin says. Note: Nightmares like these are a core symptom of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6263296/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post-traumatic stress disorder</a> (PTSD). In fact, <a href="https://www.ptsduk.org/how-can-you-reduce-nightmares-from-ptsd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 96%</a> of people with PTSD have frequent nightmares, compared to only about <a href="https://www.ptsduk.org/how-can-you-reduce-nightmares-from-ptsd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3%</a> of the general population.Surviving a kidnapping or attempted kidnapping could lead to <a href="https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/03/28/q-and-a-for-practitioners-about-complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-trauma-informed-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)</a>, which a therapist can help diagnose and treat. But the trauma you experienced doesn't necessarily have to involve kidnapping — it could be any life-threatening or terrifying experience, such as a serious accident, medical emergency, or childhood abuse.If you experience <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/do-i-have-ptsd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms of PTSD</a>, like flashbacks, avoidance, or negative feelings about what happened, a therapist can help you: <ul><li>Work to challenge <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6544388/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unhelpful beliefs related to your trauma</a> </li><li>Release feelings of guilt</li><li><a href="https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reprocess the traumatic experience</a> in a more empowering way </li></ul>Getting professional support for PTSD symptoms could improve your dreams, not to mention the quality of your sleep. <h2>How to decipher your dreams</h2>Dreams don't have one <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dreams-and-dreaming/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specific meaning</a>. In fact, experts don't fully understand why people dream in the first place.Here are some common theories as to why you dream:<ul><li>Psychologist <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6115518/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sigmund Freud</a> believed dreams relate to repressed and unconscious thoughts from childhood, including fears, wishes, and impulses that need addressing in waking hours. For instance, Freud might suggest your kidnapping dream stems from feeling repressed or emotionally "held hostage" by your parents during childhood.</li><li>According to psychologist <a href="https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4317015#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clara Hill</a>, dreams often reflect waking life. She suggested dream imagery has a unique meaning for each person and interpreting these images could provide useful insights. Based on Hill's theory, a kidnapping dream might come from reading a news article on kidnapping, then worrying your child might be taken while you sleep. </li><li>Psychologist <a href="https://www.primescholars.com/articles/carl-jungs-psychology-of-dreams-and-his-view-on-freud-104202.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carl Jung</a> suggested that dreaming helps you reflect on recent experiences or current problems and their potential solutions. Unlike Freud, Jung felt that dreams don't distort or disguise meanings, so he might say your dream reflects a fear of being abducted and perhaps a desire to understand how you might free yourself in that situation.</li><li><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00459/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Neuroscience</a> suggests dreaming helps you regulate and process memories and feelings. The <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/sleep-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REM sleep phase</a>, when most of your dreams occur, is also when your brain consolidates emotional memories. According to this theory, you could dream about being kidnapped after a traumatic experience that needs to be reprocessed in your long-term memory. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22641-emdr-therapy#risks--benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reprocessing</a> heals mental injuries from your trauma, reducing triggers so you don't "relive" the experience through nightmares and flashbacks.</li></ul><h3>How to manage stress dreams</h3>If disturbing dreams about kidnapping disrupt your sleep or get in the way of daily life, you might try: <ul><li>Keeping a dream journal: <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams/dream-interpretation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Writing down your dreams' themes</a> and possible triggers from your day can help you understand what's causing them. For instance, one <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4330685/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2015</a> study found that 47% of participants had disturbing dreams after eating late at night. Though it might go without saying, watching a crime show or reading a thriller involving abduction just before bed could also play a part. </li><li>Improving sleep hygiene: Good <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/sleep-hygiene" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sleep hygiene</a> may help relax you before bed for a deeper, more restful sleep. Waking up too early makes it <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-people-really-get-nightmares-from-eating-late" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more likely</a> you'll remember your dreams, so the quality of your sleep can make a difference. </li><li>Talking to a therapist: A professional can help you address recurring nightmares, particularly those that relate to a <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/cptsd-vs-ptsd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">traumatic incident</a>, or make sense of troubling and confusing dreams.</li></ul>Remember, too, that your mind is on your side, Irwin says. It's not trying to scare you with frightening dreams. It's trying to help you <a href="https://www.insider.com/science-behind-what-dreams-mean-2016-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">by offering points of reference</a> to get your attention, Irwin says. Simply thinking about the dream and possible explanations could help you come up with an explanation that makes sense to you. <h2>Best online therapy providers</h2><div type="image" title="Maybe You Should Talk to Someone 4x3" height="1248" width="1664" msid="94078394" hostid="261" sizebytes="58604"></div>If you're looking for professional help to decipher and manage distressing dreams, check out our guide to the <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/best-online-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best online therapy providers</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/online-therapist-for-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free online therapy resources</a>. <ul><li>Best for full access to a self-selected therapist: <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BetterHelp, from $60 per week</a></li><li>Best for limited access to an assigned therapist, covered by insurance: <a href="https://www.talkspace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TalkSpace, from $65 per week</a></li><li>Best for cheap online therapy and self-guided work: <a href="http://online-therapy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Online-Therapy.com, from $31.96 per week</a></li></ul><h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>Dreams aren't literal, so a dream about being kidnapped may just mean you feel trapped in some aspect of your life – but it could also have no specific meaning at all. Sometimes, dreams are just dreams, but ultimately, you get to decide what they mean. "Don't look to Dr. Google or a Big Book of Dream Symbols: look within yourself for the answers for what your dreams are attempting to communicate to you as a unique individual," Irwin says.

Why your kidnapping dream is probably a sign of anxiety, according to mental health experts

<ul class="summary-list"><li>You may have <keyword id="140064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="PTSD">PTSD</keyword> if you experienced a trauma and have symptoms like experiencing unwanted memories of the event or severe emotional or physical reactions when you are reminded of the event.</li><li>People with PTSD have high levels of stress hormones long after the traumatic event is over, which may contribute to their symptoms.</li><li>PTSD is usually treated with therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.</li><li>This article was <a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medically reviewed</a> by <a href="http://m.alisarubybash.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alisa Ruby Bash</a>, PsyD, LMFT, in Malibu, California. </li></ul>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> condition that can develop after you experience or witness an extremely frightening event. It's normal to have a hard time coping with a traumatic event, but if you have symptoms like nightmares or flashbacks that aren't going away <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">after a month</a>, you may have PTSD. Around<a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> one in every 11 people</a> in the US will experience PTSD in their lifetime, but there are ways to treat the condition and help ease your symptoms.Here's what you need to know about PTSD and how to find out if you have it. <h2>What is PTSD?</h2>When you go through a traumatic or life-threatening event, your body goes into<a href="https://www.bbrfoundation.org/faq/frequently-asked-questions-about-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> a "fight-or-flight" mode</a> to help you survive. When this happens, <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-to-your-body-during-the-fight-or-flight-response/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">your body releases hormones</a> like adrenaline that spike your heart rate, quicken your breath, and make you hyper-aware of your surroundings.For most people, these stress hormones subside once the traumatic event is over. But people with PTSD continue to have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4396135/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high levels of stress hormones</a> long after the trauma is over, causing symptoms like being easily startled and constantly going over the trauma in your mind.PTSD makes your body stay in survival mode so that you are prepared if it happens again, says<a href="https://facultydirectory.uchc.edu/profile?profileId=Ford-Julian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Julian Ford, PhD</a>, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut who specializes in trauma treatment.You may be more likely to develop PTSD if you experience <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/causes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other mental disorders</a> like depression or anxiety, or if you have a history of <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">substance abuse</a>. Genetics may also play a role, and your PTSD risk may be higher if you have a <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/causes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">parent</a> with a mental health condition.<h2>Symptoms of PTSD</h2>When you develop PTSD after going through a traumatic event, you may have <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms like</a>:<ul><li>Experiencing unwanted memories of the event</li><li>Severe emotional or physical reactions like increased heart rate when something reminds you of the event</li><li>Blank spots in your memory of the event</li><li>Feelings of detachment from your family and friends</li><li>Difficulty feeling positive emotions or enjoying activities</li><li>Negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world</li><li>Trouble sleeping</li><li>Feeling like you have to be constantly on guard </li><li>Reckless behavior, like driving too fast or binge drinking</li><li>Irritability</li></ul><h2>Diagnosis of PTSD</h2>A licensed mental health professional can diagnose PTSD by discussing the trauma and your symptoms. PTSD assessments tend to look at four categories of symptoms:<ol><li>Re-experiencing the trauma through unwanted memories, nightmares, or reminders.</li><li>Avoiding reminders of the trauma in a way that interferes with your daily life.</li><li>Changes in thinking and mood including emotional distress, feeling unable to trust or be close to other people, self-blame, or hopelessness.</li><li>Being on guard or over-reactive, including being easily irritated or feeling on edge even when you are safe.</li></ol>Here is a quiz based on the <a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PCL-C for DSM-IV</a> checklist that may help you determine if you should seek help for this condition:Editor's note: The results of this quiz should not be read as a diagnosis. To truly diagnose PTSD, a doctor must also determine whether symptoms could be caused by anxiety, depression, or another disorder.<h2>Treatment of PTSD</h2>There are several different treatments available, but psychotherapy is considered the<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355973" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> primary treatment for PTSD</a>."PTSD is treated by psychological therapy that helps you to gain control of bad memories," Ford says. "The therapist provides support and guidance so that you can face the memories and regain your self-confidence and self-worth instead of feeling helpless or hopeless."<h3>Therapy for PTSD</h3><ul><li>Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of mental health therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. For example, CBT can help you learn what triggers your trauma symptoms and how to challenge fearful thoughts. CBT has been shown to<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> significantly reduce symptoms</a> for people experiencing PTSD. CBT may also be a good option for children with PTSD, as there is a version of the therapy called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4476061/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trauma-Focused CBT</a> (TF-CBT) that is specifically designed for children and teens.</li><li>Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a type of therapy in which a therapist will ask you to recall memories of your trauma while guiding you through a series of eye movements that help change the way your brain processes the traumatic memories. EMDR works quickly and has been shown to help resolve PTSD symptoms in<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951033/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> as few as three 90-minute sessions</a>. EMDR is a new technique than CBT and some studies suggest that it <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30416901/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may be more effective</a>, though more research is needed.</li><li>Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy is a type of behavioral therapy in which you are exposed to memories or reminders of the traumatic event while learning how to cope with symptoms that come up in response. This can involve repeatedly telling the story of your trauma in detail or even going into a virtual reality setting that mimics where your trauma occurred.</li></ul><h3>Medications for PTSD</h3>Your doctor may also choose to prescribe medications to help treat your PTSD symptoms. Some<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355973" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> commonly-used medications</a> for PTSD include:<ul><li>Antidepressants like sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) may be prescribed to help with symptoms of anxiety or depression that may be linked to PTSD. These medications can also help with sleep and concentration problems.</li><li>Anti-anxiety medications like clonazepam (Klonopin) help calm your nervous system and<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/benzos_va.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> may be prescribed</a> if your anxiety symptoms keep you from completing daily tasks.<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/benzos_va.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Some experts</a>, however, recommend against using these medications, as they may make symptoms worse over the long term.</li><li>Prazosin: Prazosin is a blood pressure medication that some doctors prescribe to help treat nightmares in people with PTSD. The research on this is uncertain, however, and<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1507598" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> recent studies</a> have found that Prazosin may not help reduce nightmares or improve sleep.</li></ul>Though medications may help lower PTSD symptoms, they are not a replacement for therapy, Ford says, as "they do not help with the unwanted memories that are the main cause of PTSD."<h2>The bottom line </h2>PTSD is a serious mental health condition that can be distressing and difficult to cope with, but there are effective treatments available. If you think you may have PTSD, talk to your doctor about getting a PTSD evaluation or ask for a referral for a trauma specialist.<h2>Related articles from <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a>:</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/is-bipolar-genetic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is bipolar disorder genetic? Yes, but that doesn't guarantee you'll develop it</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-deal-with-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to deal with depression and lift your mood</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/cptsd-vs-ptsd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The difference between CPTSD and PTSD and how to treat each condition</a></li></ul>

You Searched For "cptsd" and got 11 results

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