PTSD Relief on the Horizon: Groundbreaking Treatments to Watch

Introducing today:

• Kicking the Nail-Biting Habit for Emotional Well-Being

• Therapy Dogs Enhancing Group Therapy at MUSC

• Revolutionary PTSD Care: VR and Magnetic Stimulation

• New Hope in Complex PTSD Treatment with Ketamine

• Dr. Molly Maloof's Tips for Lasting Health Habits

Happy reading!

DAILY
Nail-Biting Habits Revealed: How to Kick the Habit and Improve Your Emotional Well-Being

Nail-biting, a revealing habit, provides valuable insights into your overall health and mental well-being, as confirmed by esteemed health psychologist, Dr. Sula Windgassen.

This common response to stress and anxiety serves as a way to self-soothe.

Dr. Windgassen, a proponent of self-awareness, emphasizes its crucial role in overcoming this habit.

She suggests using a bitter-tasting nail polish to discourage nail-biting, while also recommending the adoption of substitutes or distractions, such as stress balls or chewing gum, to combat the persistent urge.

However, if nail-biting continues and happens in the context of heightened stress and anxiety, it may be wise to seek the expertise of a psychologist or psychotherapist.

Nail-biting can develop into a self-destructive pattern, requiring focused attention to address the underlying issues.

Once these root causes are resolved, you can confidently embrace the opportunity to care for your nails, decorating them with a fashionable gel manicure.

STUDY
Unleashing Healing: Dogs Assist in Group Therapy at MUSC for Communication and Trauma Recovery

A group therapy program at MUSC is utilizing dogs to assist in trauma healing and communication skills.

The program, known as ReVisions, employs canine companions to aid patients in practicing skills such as communication, boundary setting, and relationship building.

Patients are encouraged to engage with the dogs both during and outside of therapy sessions, utilizing techniques like mindfulness and grounding exercises.

The therapy sessions have yielded tangible results, with patients experiencing physical and mental improvements, as well as a reduction in negative self-talk.

The dogs offer comfort and empathy that humans sometimes struggle to provide. The program does not restrict itself to any specific breed, as the effectiveness depends on the dog's attitude.

The handlers work closely with the dogs to maximize the benefits for both the patients and the animals.

For further information, interested individuals can contact MUSC or visit their website.

RESEARCH
Unlocking Hope for Complex PTSD: The Latest Breakthroughs in Ketamine Treatment

The latest research on ketamine as a treatment for complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has shown promising results.

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has been found to have powerful antidepressant effects and can act on the brain's glutamate receptors to regulate mood, cognition, and pain perception.

A groundbreaking study conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York found that over half of the participants with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD saw a reduction in symptoms within 24 hours of receiving a single ketamine infusion.

The benefits of using ketamine for complex PTSD treatment include its quick onset of effect, long-lasting impact on symptoms, and its potential as an alternative therapy option for those who have not responded well to other forms of treatment.

Personal experiences with ketamine treatment have varied, but many report significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.

Ongoing research and personalized care approaches have the potential to make ketamine a mainstream and transformative treatment option for PTSD.

PODCAST
Create Lasting Health Habits That Stick: Expert Tips from Dr. Molly Maloof

In this episode of The Wellness Mama Podcast, Katie Wells speaks with Dr. Molly Maloof, a doctor and researcher, about the importance of developing healthy habits.

Dr. Maloof shares her personal experience of damaging her health in her 20s and then rebuilding it in her 30s and discusses the value of small habits that compound over time.

Some highlights from the episode include:

• Dr. Maloof's journey of destroying and rebuilding her health
• The importance of picking one new habit at a time to avoid overwhelm and burnout
• The role of fundamental foundational habits, such as eating high-quality food and exercising, in overall health
• Tips for regulating the nervous system, including practicing somatic experiencing and learning to slow down
• The value of habit stacking, or integrating multiple habits into one routine, to make them stick.

Dr. Maloof also emphasizes the need for motivation and commitment when developing new habits.

PROMISING
Revolutionary Treatment Combo: Virtual Reality and Magnetic Stimulation Transform PTSD Care for Veterans

A recent clinical trial conducted at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center among U.S. military veterans showed promising results for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a combination of virtual reality exposure therapy and brain stimulation.

Participants who received low electrical current brain stimulation during virtual reality sessions that simulated warzone experiences reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms.

The combined treatment outperformed traditional exposure therapy in terms of efficacy and participant retention.

This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize PTSD treatment, offering new pathways for recovery.

The study found that participants continued to experience improvement even after the treatment was completed, with the most significant effects observed one month later.

The researchers plan to conduct further studies to explore the long-term effects of the treatment and potentially expand the participant group.

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