Mental Health and DBT Blog - Page 9 of 22

ADHD Vs. Anxiety: How To Tell The Difference

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), previously referred to as attention deficit disorder (ADD), is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic, neurological disorder. ADHD is characterized by three main symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further describes attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as an inability to control impulsive behaviors, difficulty focusing and/ or paying attention, and/ or being overly active. ADHD symptoms may appear in children as young as five years old. The Mayo Clinic provides the following examples of some of the common symptoms that an individual with ADHD could exhibit:

Inattention to detail
Unable to engage in activities that require prolonged attention
Failure to meet deadlines
Mind constantly wandering/ does not listen when directly spoken to
Organizational difficulties
Misplaces belongings frequently
Easily distractible
Excessive talking
Regularly and mindlessly fidgeting
Restlessness
Little or no patience

A person who is diagnosed with ADHD will exhibit at least five of the above symptoms, lasting for a minimum of six months long or longer, and present in multiple settings. Symptoms will often range in severity and can differ depending on a variety of contributing factors. ADHD and anxiety share a complicated relationship.

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) asserts: “Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.” There are a variety of signs and symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. These can include, but are not limited to, the following examples provided by the Mayo Clinic:

Difficulty concentrating
Overwhelming worry and fear
Isolation
Low self-esteem/ low self-worth
Tension
Anxiety
Agitation
Muscle tension
Fatigue
Restlessness
Irritability
Sleep disturbances
Dysphoria

Like the symptoms of ADHD, the symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder can present in any combination with varying levels of severity. ADHD symptoms mainly involve issues with focus and concentration, whereas symptoms of anxiety generally involve issues with nervousness and fear.

Although, on the surface ADHD and anxiety can appear similar, as they have many overlapping symptoms, they are distinct and can co-occur. The worldwide prevalence of ADHD is estimated to be around 2.2% in children and 2.8% in adults. In America, nearly two-thirds of those living with ADHD have at least one coexisting condition, and approximately 25% of them have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Although each condition has unique symptoms, sometimes the two conditions mirror each other which can cause diagnostic confusion. Accurately distinguishing whether an individual is struggling with ADHD, anxiety, or both, requires the expertise of a qualified mental health professional.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

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My Holiday Anxiety Around Eating and Body Issues

The holiday season is meant to be full of joy, family, friends, laughter, and fun, but for many the holidays can add layers of anxiety and stress. Most holiday gatherings revolve around food, which be highly triggering for someone struggling with body image issues. An individual’s body image refers to how a person perceives, thinks, and feels about his or her own body. The stressors of holiday gatherings may be compounded by comments regarding one’s weight or appearance, the amount of food one eats, or other sensitive subjects. While some may be unaffected by such remarks, others may compensate for their discomforts by changing their eating patterns. Studies in adults and teenagers imply that experiencing more social stressors (e.g., feeling lonely, having conflict, etc.) can influence short-term eating behaviors. To avoid letting your holiday anxiety around eating get the best of you, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry suggests implementing the following strategies:

Arrive prepared: One day or two days prior to the holiday gathering, think about what and when you will eat, and work out a strategy that both helps you feel in control and aligns with your comfort level.
Eat regularly beforehand: Do not fast all day in preparation for an anticipated big meal at the event because it can cause you to feel hungrier, more food-focused, and irritable at the holiday gathering.
Have a previously established ally: Rather than facing it all alone, reach out to someone with whom you can confide and have them check in on you. This can help alleviate some of your in-the-moment stress and allow you to adhere to your eating plans.
Do not catastrophize indulging a little: If you gain weight during the holidays, it is highly unlikely it will be a significant amount. A recently published study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the average holiday weight gain in adults was just under a pound.

Although the holiday season is supposed to be a time of celebration and happiness, it can also be a time that illuminates underlying feelings that a person may have been trying to ignore, hide, or bury. Be kind to yourself during these times and set yourself up for healthy holiday eating success.

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What Is Narcissistic Gaslighting?

Narcissism, according to Psychology Today, “is characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, a need for excessive admiration, and the belief that one is unique and deserving of special treatment.” An estimated 5% of the U.S population may have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is equal to over 16 million people. Narcissistic personality disorder is one of ten different types of personality disorders that is recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is a chronic mental health condition that is characterized by a long-term pattern of exaggerated feelings of self-importance. Most often beneath the grandiose façade, individuals diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder are hiding and avoiding deep feelings of insecurity. Gaslighting is one of the many abusive tactics people with NPD may use to protect their egos.

Narcissistic Gaslighting Basics

Gaslighting is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as the “psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one’s emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator.” Psychology Today provides the following examples of common traits of a narcissistic gaslighter:

They refuse to hear your thoughts or concerns about anything
They reframe, deny, or scoff at your recollection of certain events and blame you for them
They insist that you did something that you know you did not
They derail the topic when you try to explain your point of view
They tell your loved one about how you are wrong in your actions
They often tell you and others how you are being overly sensitive

There are some common signs that you might be getting gaslighted by someone with NPD, including but not limited to the following examples, provided by Healthline:

Constantly have the urge to apologize
Believing you are incapable of doing anything right
Frequent feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or worry
A loss of confidence
Persistently wondering if you are too sensitive
Feeling disconnected from your sense of self, as if you are losing your identity
Believing you are to blame when things go wrong
A nagging sense that something is not right, though you are unable to pinpoint exactly what is wrong
A lingering sense of hopelessness, frustration, or emotional numbness

Gaslighting can have several harmful physiological effects on the victim. Some of the most common effects a victim of narcissistic gaslighting may develop include the following, provided by Medical News Today:

Anxiety
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Insomnia
Weight gain or loss
Memory loss
Social isolation
Substance abuse
Self-harm
Suicide

Although narcissistic gaslighting does not differ from normal gaslighting, it may be used by someone with NPD for slightly different manipulative purposes.

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Ask a Therapist: Is it Re-entry Anxiety? Learn How to Handle Re-Entry Anxiety from a Therapist

The novel coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19, traveled rampantly through the world, affecting millions of individuals in a variety of ways. In efforts to slow the spread of the virus, states all across America instituted social distancing guidelines, implemented sporadic stay-at-home orders for all non-essential workers, prohibited in-restaurant dining, closed schools, theaters, exercise studios, museums, public libraries, and more. As the guidelines have evolved to support a new norm, and we continue to move toward a pre-pandemic lifestyle, people are left with the mental and emotional fallout from surviving these social distance mandates for extended periods of time. The anxiety and fear surrounding contracting COVID-19, including the extensive list of severe short-term effects as well as the unknown long-term effects remain deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness.

What Is Re-Entry Anxiety?

As its name indicates, re-entry anxiety is a specific form of stress related to the fear of being unable to adapt to previously established routines. The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics further explains that “re-entry anxiety refers to fear that can accompany letting go of the safeguards that protected us during the COVID-19 pandemic and our re-entry into a world that has been changed by the virus.” This is not an uncommon phenomenon, as results from a 2021 American Psychological Association (APA) survey found that nearly half of Americans reported feeling uncomfortable about readjusting to in-person interactions, and a similar number claimed to experience adverse emotional reactions, including anxiety, when questioned about returning to a pre-pandemic lifestyle.

How To Handle Re-Entry Anxiety

Fortunately, there are ways to help diminish the natural discomforts associated with adjusting to a more public life. To overcome your re-entry anxiety, consider the following suggestions, provided by leading experts:

Start small: to build your confidence and set yourself up for success, start with a small achievable goal that allows you to re-engage with the world and as your comfort level increases, gradually work your way up to more challenging and immersive experiences.
Cultivate a robust supply of relaxation tools and techniques: try out as many different relaxation methods (e.g., meditation, yoga, reading, listening to music, journaling, etc.) as you can to figure out what resonates with you best. Research has found that meditation can help lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve insomnia, and more.
Be kind to yourself: avoid self-criticism, treat yourself with respect, and be patient—remember that change takes time.
Take care of your body: practicing healthy habits can improve your mental health. Make sure to:
- Eat nutritious meals
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and other drugs
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise regularly
Breathe: ground yourself by focusing on slowing down your breath. This will help pull your focus away from your symptoms and onto your breath.
Acknowledge your feelings: instead of trying to avoid them, by acknowledging and naming your feelings, you can help diffuse and let go of your angst.

It is helpful to bear in mind that re-entry anxiety is not only normal and to be expected, but in the current post-pandemic climate, it serves as an evolutionarily protective. Still, although some level of anxiety is typical when facing significant life changes, it is important to distinguish between reasonable levels of anxiety and those that may signal a more significant issue. When re-entry anxiety becomes excessive or begins to interfere with daily functioning, it may be advantageous to pursue guidance from a mental health professional.

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Medications to Treat Anxiety

Pharmacological treatment options for anxiety are only legally available to those with a diagnosed anxiety disorder and a valid prescription. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) asserts: “Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.” There are currently five distinct types of anxiety disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They include the following: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia). There are different types of antidepressant medications used to treat anxiety, some of which include the following, provided by the Mayo Clinic:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): work by slowing the re-absorption of serotonin (the neurotransmitter known to help with mood regulation and anxiety) in one’s the brain. Common examples of SSRIs include:
- Celexa (citalopram)
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Zoloft (sertraline)
Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): work by reducing the reabsorption of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in one’s brain. Common examples of SNRIs that are used treat anxiety include:
- Cymbalta (duloxetine)
- Effexor XR (venlafaxine)
Benzodiazepines: a type of sedative that alleviate muscle tension and can reduce some of the physical symptoms of anxiety. They work by interacting with the neurons in one’s brain to suppress and calm down electrical excitement. As a fast-acting medication, benzodiazepines are often prescribed to help manage symptoms associated with short-term anxiety. Common examples of benzodiazepines that are used to treat anxiety include:
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
- Ativan (lorazepam)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs affect three brain chemicals: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They are prescribed less frequently as they are an older class of antidepressants that can cause more side effects than other options. Some examples of TCAs include:
- Tofranil (imipramine)
- Elavil (amitriptyline)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): MAOIs block the actions of monoamine oxidase enzymes (which are responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) in the brain. These drugs were the first type of antidepressants developed and are typically used as a last resort as an off-label treatment for panic disorder or social phobia.

As is true with any medical intervention, there are certain risks and possible unwanted side effects. The specific risks will vary from person to person, as they will depend on several contributing factors (e.g., the individual’s health history, the presence of any additional mental health ailments, substance abuse issues, genetics, etc.). Still, when properly prescribed and taken exactly as directed, anti-anxiety medications can be incredibly effective in reducing unwanted symptoms and improve daily functioning of individuals with anxiety disorders.

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How To Deal With Anxiety At Work

The medical definition of anxiety provided in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it.” According to Mental Health America’s 2021 Mind the Workplace report, nearly 83 percent of respondents felt emotionally drained from their work, and about 9 in 10 workers, which is equal to 85%, reported that job stress affected their mental health. Anxiety symptoms can range from mild to severe. Workplace anxiety generally develops in response to stress at work and can manifest in and outside of the workplace environment. To help decrease stress and assuage anxiety at work, consider the following tips, provided by U.S. News & World Report:

Focus on others, not yourself: Switching from an internal to an external focus can be helpful in reducing anxiety.
Challenge your negative, anxious thoughts: Identify the anxious thoughts that surface when you think of work, analyze them, and challenge them to discern if your initial reaction is truly how you feel or if you are just assuming the worst.
Draw your attention to external stimuli: Look around you and notice tangible items in your surroundings; this can be both grounding and helpful in gaining perspective over your anxiety.
Breathe: Focus on slowing down your breath to help pull your focus away from your anxiety and onto your breath.
Take a break: Carve out time each day to take regular mini breaks where you can conduct a quick body check and see where you may be feeling tension, exhaustion, or any unwanted feelings.

Avoid getting overwhelmed: Slow down and do one thing at a time instead of attempting to multitask. By tackling one thing at a time, you can allocate undivided attention to completing each task accurately and efficiently.
Acknowledge your feelings: Although it may seem that your anxiety will last forever, it won’t; by acknowledging and naming your feelings you can help diffuse your angst.

Arm yourself with a robust supply of relaxation tools and techniques: Test out as many different relaxation methods as you can to figure out what resonates with you best. Consider trying out meditation, yoga, reading, listening to music, journaling, etc. to quiet your mind. Research has found that meditation can help lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve insomnia, and more.

While some amount of work stress is generally unavoidable, it is atypical for an individual to experience persistent and debilitating symptoms of anxiety and could indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder. If you are experiencing frequent and/ or severe bouts of anxiety it is best to err on the side of caution and consult a mental health professional.

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What Is The Most Effective Therapy For Trauma?

Trauma is defined as any type of distressing event or experience that can have an impact on a person’s ability to cope and function. Trauma can affect the innerworkings of one’s brain. For example, research indicates that traumatic stress can result in increased cortisol and norepinephrine responses to subsequent stressors, whereby the brain learns to associate certain stimuli with the traumatic event. Endorphins (the hormones in one’s body associated with feeling pleasure) also play an essential role in trauma exposure. An increase in the level of endorphins in the brain occur during trauma, and the levels remain elevated to help numb the emotional and physical pain of the trauma. For some, exposure to trauma can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a diagnosable mental illness that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). PTSD is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event—either experiencing it or witnessing it.” There are many treatment options for trauma and PTSD, and there is no single method of treatment for trauma that is universally recognized as more effective than others.

Therapeutic Treatment Options

Every person is different and will require a customized treatment plan to ensure all nuanced needs are properly addressed. Common psychotherapeutic interventions that may be included in one’s treatment plan could include one or more of the following, provided by the American Psychological Association (APA):

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): uses mindfulness skills to help an individual focus on accepting their emotions, while also helping to adjust the unhealthy behaviors that arise from the emotions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): this can help correct irrational and/ or inaccurate thoughts a person may have regarding the trauma as well as help him or her develop skills and healthy coping mechanisms for reducing anxiety and stress.
Expressive arts therapy (play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, sand therapy, etc.): provides an alternative medium to express, process and integrate one’s thoughts and feelings surrounding trauma.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): helps individuals learn how to modify and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to trauma.
Group therapy: participating in group therapy sessions can help an individual learn from peers that are navigating thoughts and emotions related to trauma.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): utilizes guided eye movement techniques to help process one’s memories, thoughts, and emotional associations in relation to the experienced trauma.

The outcomes associated with untreated trauma span a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses and misdiagnoses, functional impairments, and evolving educational, vocational, relational and health problems. Through working with the individual, mental health professionals can identify which therapeutic tactics are helpful to the recovery process and which may need to be altered during treatment.

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The Risk of PTSD After A Car Accident

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) under the new category called Trauma- and Stressor- Related Disorders. Psychology Today explains that PTSD is a “mental health condition that develops in response to experiencing or witnessing a distressing event involving the threat of death or extreme bodily harm.” According to the National Center for PTSD, a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, of every 100 people nearly seven or eight will experience PTSD in their lifetime.

Risk Factors

Although anyone can develop PTSD at any age, research shows that some people are at greater risk than others for PTSD. Several factors have been found to increase the risk of developing PTSD, some of which include the following, provided by Verywell Mind:

Dissociation during or immediately after the traumatic event
Family history of psychopathology
High levels of emotion (e.g., fear, helplessness, horror, guilt, or shame) during or immediately after the traumatic event
History of prior trauma
Lacking social support after the traumatic event
Perceived life threat to self or others
Prior psychological adjustment problems

The leading cause of PTSD in the general population is motor vehicle accidents. Each year, millions of people are involved in car accidents. In 2020, approximately 2.3 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roads. According to a National Institute of Mental Health study, 39.2% of car accident survivors develop PTSD.

Signs and Symptoms

Each person with PTSD has the propensity to experience varying levels of severity of symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) divided the symptoms of PTSD into the following four categories:

Intrusion symptoms: The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way(s):
1. Involuntary, upsetting memories
2. Distressing dreams
3. Flashbacks
4. Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders
5. Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders
Avoidance: Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Avoiding people, places, activities, objects, and situations that may trigger distressing memories
2. Resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it
Alterations in cognition and mood: Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event
2. Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world
3. Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma
4. Negative affect
5. Decreased interest in activities
6. Ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
7. Feeling detached or estranged from others
8. Experiencing a void of happiness or satisfaction
Alterations in arousal and reactivity: Trauma-related arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Difficulty sleeping
2. Hypervigilance
3. Irritability or aggression
4. Difficulty concentrating
5. Risky or destructive behavior
6. Heightened startle reaction

As is outlined in the PTSD diagnostic criteria provided in the DSM-5, for a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, his or her symptoms must last for more than one month, must create distress or functional impairment, and must not be due to medication, substance use, or other illness.

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Nightmares And Night Terrors In Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic mental health illness and is classified as a mood disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that bipolar disorder “causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.” It is characterized by noticeable, unprovoked, sometimes extreme, changes in mood and behavior, that typically present as severe episodic mood swings, shifting between emotional highs (manias) to emotional lows (depressions) with intervals of stable, neutral moods.

Nightmares & Night Terrors

A nightmare is defined as “a terrifying dream in which the dreamer experiences feelings of helplessness, extreme anxiety, sorrow, etc.” They are disturbing, well-remembered dreams. In those with bipolar disorder, researchers believe that nightmares may predict upcoming mood swings. People with bipolar disorder also commonly face night terrors. A night terror is not a dream, but rather an abrupt awakening accompanied by physical symptoms. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine explains that a person experiencing a night terror will suddenly begin to exhibit signs of panic and terror while sleeping (e.g., screaming, flailing, kicking, etc.) as well as other symptoms such as rapid heart rate and breathing, flushing of the skin, sweating, dilation of the pupils, and tensing of the muscles. During a night terror, an individual awakes in a state of confused and inconsolable terror, which they may or may recall in the morning.

Signs and Symptoms

According to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences three or more manic symptoms and five or more depressive symptoms. Examples of signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder could include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following, provided by the Mayo Clinic:

Signs and symptoms during a mania or hypomania state:

- - Increased energy
  - Euphoria
  - Agitation
  - Easily distractible
  - Decreased need for sleep
  - Excessive talkativeness
  - Lack of judgment
  - Atypically upbeat
  - Difficulties at work
  - Shift in social activities
  - Psychosis
  - Relationship challenges

Signs and symptoms of a major depressive episode:

Inability to experience pleasure or loss of interest in social activities
Irritability
Crying spells (frequent and random crying throughout the day)
Depressed mood
Feelings of hopelessness
Loss of energy
Shift in sleeping habits (either sleeping too much or experiencing insomnia)
Slowed behavior
Restlessness
Feelings of excessive guilt
Inability to think clearly
Indecisiveness
Suicidal ideations
Lack of energy
Shift in appetite resulting in drastic weight loss or weight gain

As is noted in both manic symptoms and depressive symptoms, is clear that disturbed sleep is common in people who have bipolar disorder. Still, the type of sleep disturbances that may occur typically depends on whether an individual is experiencing a manic or depressive episode.

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Is DBT Good For Complex Trauma?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), describes trauma as “an event, or series of events, that causes moderate to severe stress reactions… [that are] characterized by a sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death.” Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event—either experiencing it or witnessing it.” Unlike PTSD that is caused by a single traumatic event or isolated incidents, complex trauma refers to a series of traumatic events that take place over time. Many symptoms of complex trauma overlap with symptoms of PTSD, some of which include:

Anxiousness
Flashbacks
Avoiding circumstances that are reminders of traumatic events
Distorted sense of self
Difficulty controlling emotions
Relationships challenges

Somatic symptoms (e.g., fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, joint or muscle pain, headaches, etc.) are also common with complex trauma. More than an estimated 3% of people in America meet the criteria for complex trauma. If complex trauma is left untreated, its symptoms can be pervasively disruptive and interfere with one’s ability to function in his or her daily life.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Psychologist Marsha M. Linehan developed dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in the late 1980s as a means to more effectively treat chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is founded on the principals of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), utilizing standard CBT techniques for emotional regulation and reality testing, and combines concepts derived from Buddhist meditative practice such as awareness, mindfulness, and attentiveness to current situations and emotional experiences.

Psychology Today emphasizes the notion that complex trauma requires multifaceted and sequenced treatment, which involves different components that target the various symptoms that present on the road to recovery. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, due to the fact that DBT does not necessarily involve any form of trauma processing, it is not and should not be considered a stand-alone treatment for trauma. However, some studies do indicate that DBT can be used to effectively treat the symptoms of complex trauma. DBT remains the only empirically supported treatment for BPD, and current evidence also recognizes DBT as an applicable and effective treatment method for many other mental health conditions.

ADHD Vs. Anxiety: How To Tell The Difference

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Treatment In Calabasas

What Is Narcissistic Gaslighting?

Narcissistic Gaslighting Basics

Treatment In Calabasas

Ask a Therapist: Is it Re-entry Anxiety? Learn How to Handle Re-Entry Anxiety from a Therapist

What Is Re-Entry Anxiety?

How To Handle Re-Entry Anxiety

Treatment In Calabasas

Medications to Treat Anxiety

Treatment In Calabasas

How To Deal With Anxiety At Work

What Is The Most Effective Therapy For Trauma?

Therapeutic Treatment Options

Treatment In Calabasas

The Risk of PTSD After A Car Accident

Risk Factors

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment In Calabasas

Nightmares And Night Terrors In Bipolar Disorder

Nightmares & Night Terrors

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment In Calabasas

Is DBT Good For Complex Trauma?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Treatment In Calabasas

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