Self-Compassion, Health, and Empowerment (SHE) for Depression

"It is estimated that more than 6 million Americans will be diagnosed with PTSD every year of their lives. These 6 million will receive nearly half of PTSD treatment. In a population of patients with PTSD, 20% have a PDS diagnosis. These patients have greater disease severity and are most likely to experience severe psychosocial deficits in the area of physical function, employment, and relationships. The prevalence of PDS among patients with [traumatic brain injury](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/traumatic-brain-injury) and other forms of traumatic brain injury, which involve significant neurological deficit, is underestimated. Recent findings imply that PDS may be common among patients with trauma-related neurological complications and provide a rationale for screening patients with PDS to identify those who may benefit from PDS interventions." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"PTSD is an enduring, complex, and often disabling psychological disorder that occurs in response to an exceedingly challenging life event. It is strongly predicted by the cumulative impact of lifetime experiences with interpersonal violence. Ptsd in women is predicted by the childhood adversities of abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and parental distress. Ptsd in men is predicted by being a child of a parent with a history of severe abuse or child neglect. Ptsd does not always follow an acute traumatic physical attack. Because of its long duration, multiple etiologies, and profound influence on quality of life, Ptsd is a central issue for military families." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"There is no evidence to support any clinical or research intervention to prevent, treat, or cure PTSD, and no credible evidence supports the belief that trauma can be eradicated, "cured." In this context, "cured" is synonymous with the belief that trauma is not to be expected or chosen. The term's implication that this trauma cannot be chosen is misleading, and it is unfortunate that its use is often misunderstood by people. Although PTSD is not a disease or condition because it is not caused by an infectious agent or non-medical diagnosis, it is a psychological condition in response to the adverse experience of trauma. The term implies a negative belief, thus reinforcing a belief, that this traumatic experience cannot be controlled or avoided." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"There are many possible symptoms that could be indicative of PTSD. [PTSD can be differentiated from other types of anxiety disorders by a variety of symptoms, some of which are common to other anxiety disorders such as phobic anxiety, panic attacks, or generalized anxiety.] [Frequently sought psychological health treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe PTSD include the following:\n\n1. Fear or trauma-specific fear (e.g., posttraumatic stress symptoms)\n2. Re-experiencing symptoms (e.g., flashbacks)\n3. Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli\n4." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"The exact cause of post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) is unknown, but may be a result of trauma at any age, repeated or chronic psychological or physical attacks, stressful situations and/or experiences in childhood, current stressful experiences, or a combination of both. There have been many attempts to understand what cause post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd); some suggest it is a result of trauma at any age, repeated or chronic psychological or physical attacks, stressful situations and or experiences in childhood, current stressful situations, or a combination of both. A combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors may all be involved." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"When ptsd patients require treatment, the focus is primarily directed at symptom management rather than recovery from trauma. There is no cure for ptsd, so treatment is aimed at improving patients' quality of life and coping skills." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"The recent studies on PTSD are focused on the clinical manifestations of PTSD, most notably the development of PTSD symptoms, and the neurobiological and genetic aspects of PTSD in relation to other psychiatric disorders. It is also important to emphasize that a diagnosis of PTSD can be made in many different ways and can be diagnosed prior to symptoms appearing. Further research is needed to ascertain causal factors associated with PTSD. The most consistent finding was that PTSD patients had greater cortisol levels, more amygdala activation, and more deficits in visual memory, verbal memory, and verbal fluency and recall. Individuals with PTSD generally had lower functioning in the hippocampus, parahippocampal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala when compared to healthy controls." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"In a recent study, findings show that men and women have different characteristics when considering participating in a clinical trial, and there is no clear relationship between [ptsd status and] the ability to give informed consent. Because of the relatively small number of participants who took part in clinical trials, more work needs to be done to understand the influence of [ptsd status] on participation, and the impact of [ptsd status] on clinical trial outcomes." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Self-compassion has been shown to improve the efficacy of most other treatments (e.g., exercise, antidepressant medication, or a combination of both). Self-compassion is also related with improved psychological and physical health, and enhances recovery by providing an empowering and safe environment in which individuals have confidence and express themselves. Empowerment is related to self-esteem in that it provides a sense of well-being, pride, self-acceptance, and competence. Self-compassion promotes self-esteem and self-efficacy as well as enhancing resilience and resilience-initiating behaviors. Individuals who are able to cultivate self-compassion report more positive social connections, have a more positive outlook on life, and are emotionally resilient." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Results from this study suggest our theoretical framework and suggested that self-compassion not only leads to positive benefits (e.g., health) but is also an important mechanism through which empowerment, and thus other dimensions of personal identity and emotional wellbeing in early postpartum, works." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Results from a recent paper of this study provide empirical support for self-compassion as a new construct in the measurement of psychosocial outcomes in PTSD treatment research." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Self-compassion may play a role in the overall trajectory of mental health in people who have experienced adversity. Self-compassion may be a mediator between post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological functioning. This is the first study to show that self-compassion is an important part of overall wellbeing in the aftermath of mental illness." - Anonymous Online Contributor