What is PTSD?

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that negatively affects people’s lives in important ways. After a traumatic event, most people experience some of the symptoms of PTSD in the immediate aftermath. For many people, these symptoms resolve over the next few weeks. A person is considered to have PTSD when these symptoms have continued to affect them strongly for quite some time after certain traumatic experiences.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is not only what happened to you… It’s also your thoughts, feelings, and physiological reactions to what occurred. What is traumatic for one person may not be considered traumatic for another, and that’s important to recognize because everyone has their own unique perceptions, expectations, genetic predispositions, and historical background.

Traumatic experiences are perceived as life-threatening or harmful either physically or emotionally, and can include major single-incident events, such as a motor vehicle accident, a natural disaster, physical or sexual assault, or war. Traumatic experiences can also include ongoing, hurtful interpersonal experiences such as verbal abuse, growing up in a chaotic environment, persistent invalidation of your emotions, childhood physical or emotional neglect, racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination.

Trauma doesn’t have to be “big enough” to be valid, or to benefit from treatment. If your experience was shocking, harmful, overwhelming and extremely upsetting to you, then it was likely traumatic for you.

What are the signs and symptoms of PTSD?

There are several different groups of symptoms of PTSD, which we have described below in greater detail. 

Intrusion Experiences

• Upsetting memories that come back again and again, when you don’t want them to, and it feels like you can’t control or prevent them

• Nightmares (Either directly about the trauma or involving feelings that were evoked by the trauma)

• Flashbacks (Suddenly feeling or acting as if the trauma is happening again)

• Feeling extreme distress or having strong physiological reactions (ex: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, sweating) when reminded* of the trauma

*Reminders can include external events (seeing someone who looks like the perpetrator) or internal events (having a memory of the traumatic event)

Negative Changes in Mood and Thinking

• Difficulty remembering important aspects of what happened

• Negative beliefs about oneself or others (ex: “I’ll never feel safe again,” or, “All people are bad/untrustworthy.”)

• Beliefs about the cause of the event that lead to inaccurate degrees of self-blame (ex: “It was my fault; I should have stopped it.”)

• Consistently negative emotional state (angry/irritable, fearful/anxious, feeling ashamed)

• Less interest or engagement with important aspects of life, or previously enjoyed activities.

• Feeling distant or detached from others.

• Difficulty regularly experiencing positive emotions (love, joy)

Changes in Reactivity

• Difficulty concentrating

• Difficulty sleeping (e.g. Falling or staying asleep)

• Irritable mood or angry outbursts (often out of proportion to the prompting event)

• Hypervigilance (extra alert, searching for potential threats)

• Exaggerated startle response

Avoidance Experiences

-Regularly avoiding internal reminders of what happened (memories, thoughts, feelings)

-Often avoiding external reminders of the trauma (certain activities, places, objects)

Trauma and PTSD have wide-ranging effects, but it's important to have hope and know that there are specialized therapy approaches that have been shown to be really beneficial. If you’d like individualized support in overcoming trauma, we’d be honored to help you. Please reach out via our “Contact” page and we’ll be in touch as soon as we’re able.

Supporting the Well-Being of Biracial Individuals

By Dr. Arianna Slotnick

Multiracial individuals are increasingly prevalent in the United States, yet our grasp of their experiences remains incomplete. Past studies have hinted at the pivotal role of belongingness for the mental well-being of multiracial individuals, underscoring how feelings of inclusion or exclusion can profoundly impact their psychological health.

In her dissertation, Dr. Arianna Slotnick set out to deepen our understanding of the emotional journey of Black/White biracial college students. Building upon existing literature, Dr. Slotnick's study aimed to explore the intricate interplay between belongingness, biracial identification, and emotional well-being.

By interviewing 19 Black/White biracial college students, Dr. Slotnick's research sought to illuminate the nuanced dynamics at play. Her findings emphasized the importance of fostering environments where biracial students feel affirmed and valued in their identity exploration.

Of particular importance was the role of multiracial pride—a sense of celebration and affirmation of one's mixed heritage. Dr. Slotnick's study underscored how embracing and celebrating their diverse background could bolster the emotional resilience of biracial individuals, providing them with a sense of empowerment and validation amidst societal complexities.

Moreover, Dr. Slotnick's research shed light on a critical gap in the field of psychology: the absence of comprehensive guidelines for supporting multiracial individuals. Addressing this gap is essential for equipping mental health professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to provide culturally sensitive care that recognizes and honors the unique challenges and strengths of biracial individuals.

Building upon Dr. Slotnick's findings, there is a pressing call to action for mental health organizations and professionals. The American Psychological Association (APA) and similar bodies must take proactive steps to develop comprehensive guidelines and training programs focused on supporting multiracial individuals. By prioritizing the inclusion of multiracial perspectives within their frameworks, these organizations can ensure that mental health professionals are equipped to provide effective and culturally competent care for all individuals, regardless of their racial background.

Furthermore, university counseling centers and mental health practitioners must recognize the importance of creating inclusive environments for biracial college students. This includes offering culturally sensitive therapy and support groups that address the unique needs and experiences of multiracial individuals. By actively engaging with student-led organizations and affinity spaces, counseling centers can foster meaningful connections and provide tailored support for biracial students on campus.

For multiracial individuals and their families, research has shown that positive messaging  given to biracial children about their racial background and heritage may significantly influence and bolster their sense of social-emotional wellbeing throughout their lifespan. As multiracial individuals grow and become independent from their families of origin, it becomes important for them to intentionally seek out friendships with people who validate their identity, and those who may also share a multiracial identity, though the experience of being multiracial is not homogenous and will differ from person to person. Just like all people, multiracial people are on a constant journey of racial identification where they attempt to make sense of both how they perceive themselves and how others perceive them, and it is important that they feel encouraged to explore and resolve this. Multiracial individuals may find solace in books or podcasts such as “On Being Biracial” [https://www.onbeingbiracial.com/podcast] as they move through life.

In summary, Dr. Slotnick's study represents a significant stride in advancing our understanding of multiracial identity and the emotional well-being of biracial college students. By embracing diversity, celebrating multiracial pride, and advocating for inclusive mental health care, we can create a more equitable and supportive environment for all individuals to thrive.