Estimates suggest 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 13 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. Child sexual abuse is a devastating experience for the child and the entire family. Most sexual abuse is committed by someone close and trusted by the child and family. This makes it one of […]
Hives. Stomach pain. Vomiting. Lethargy. An anaphylactic reaction is terrifying. Maybe you kicked into gear and gave them the epinephrine shot. Perhaps you were like me in the beginning and took them straight to the ER, not sure if you had needed to give an epinephrine shot. Maybe it was the school telling you there […]
To New Jersey, New York and all the healthcare workers on the frontlines during this pandemic: Thank you. During a time of such distress and uncertainty, you continue to care for your patients. With limited supplies and a growing number of cases, this will put your anxiety into overdrive. Paying close attention to your mental […]
You have been anticipating and dreaming about this day since the plus sign appeared on the pregnancy test. You did your research and read all the books. You tactfully planned everything that you wanted and thought was best for you and your baby in preparation for this day. You wrote out a birth plan and […]
Staring at the test in your hand, you patiently await the results. The word “pregnant” reads across the tiny screen and you are experiencing what feels like a million different emotions at once. This was the answer you were waiting for. At this moment, your identity shifts. You’re no longer just yourself, you are also […]
Something scary has happened, and it has threatened your sense of safety. You feel your stomach in knots, sweat pouring down your face, and heart pounding. This is trauma, and it can be anything from witnessing violence to being present during a hurricane. Did you know that during a traumatic experience not only is your […]
As a parent, the thought of your child being hurt by anyone is unimaginable. Child sexual abuse is particularly destabilizing because 90% of the time it is someone you and your child know and trust. You would do anything for your child, but hearing of the abuse your child endured may leave you at a […]
In this last blog of my series on trauma, I’m going to tie everything together. My first blog started with the basics in telling the difference between classic anxiety and trauma reactions. My second blog began to paint a picture of what the primary issues are when experiencing a trauma reaction. I want to take […]
In the first blog, we discussed some differences between classic anxiety and a trauma reaction. We also touched on some of the changes you might experience after enduring a painful event. Next, we’ll be diving deeper into the types of difficulties that you may notice after a stressful incident occurs. The phrase “time heals all […]
Many people label a variety of stressful or uncomfortable experiences as “anxiety.” However, sometimes that experience may be more than just “anxiety.” A deeper look may reveal that there are painful, traumatic experiences that’s creating the emotional stress. When you hear the word “trauma” or “trauma reaction”, you may be confused about what this means. […]