Category Archives: trauma

Man in military uniform during therapy session, head in hands, reflecting on PTSD causes and personal experiences.

A Deeper Dive Into PTSD Causes

Though it is one of our most fundamental aspects of humanity, the mind can be so complex it feels better to compare it to the sea and another body part. It is diverse, undulating, and, at times, turbulent. The stories and experiences that craft our mental complexity can be both beautiful and harrowing. Among the most challenging, yet enlightening, elements of is our understanding of PTSD Causes.

A Deeper Dive Into PTSD Causes

Before diving in, it’s essential to realize that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) doesn’t only happen to someone who has been in a war, as many believe. In our experience here at Lido Wellness, people can even be surprised that they are struggling with PTSD. The range of trauma is wide and there are no rules for what is significant in each individual’s life. It permeates beyond the battlefields (both metaphorical and real) and touches even the most seemingly benign facets of daily life. So, what exactly are the causes of PTSD?

The List: Unearthing the Causes of PTSD

  1. Combat Exposure: Though not the only cause of PTSD, the horrors of war are a well-acknowledged cause. Soldiers are subjected to scenes and situations most of us cannot fathom, leading to intense trauma.
  2. Childhood Physical Abuse & Neglect: Childhood traumas, often leave lasting scars that manifest as PTSD in later life. This goes beyond physical abuse—neglect and emotional abuse also will weave their way into a person’s life in tragic ways.
  3. Sexual Violence: Regardless of gender, being a victim of sexual assault can be a significant trigger for PTSD.
  4. Physical Assault: Violent personal attacks, such as muggings, can provoke severe mental distress.
  5. Accidents: Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and other accidents can be unexpected sources of intense trauma.
  6. Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods – the raw power of nature, can be a potent PTSD cause.
  7. Witnessing Death or Serious Injury: The sudden and violent loss of a loved one, even if not directly involved, can be traumatic.

Who Is Prone to PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD. It doesn’t matter who you are or how “tough” you believe you are. But there may be life experiences and personal physiologies that play a part. Here are a few things to be aware of if you believe you or someone you know are at risk of PTSD.

  • Previous Traumas: PTSD isn’t always a result of a single event. For some, it’s an accumulation of multiple smaller traumas over time.
  • Brain Structure: There’s ongoing research suggesting that the structure of certain parts of the brain, particularly the hippocampus, might contribute to susceptibility.
  • Family History: Genetics and upbringing play a part. A family history of anxiety and depression can increase risk.
  • Personality: It’s not about “strength” or “weakness” but rather how an individual’s personality processes traumatic events.
  • Chemistry of the Brain: An imbalance in neurotransmitters might amplify the risk.

Whatever the case, at Lido Wellness, we reject the idea that PTSD is a sign of mental weakness. It isn’t. It’s a natural reaction to intense trauma, and its development depends on myriad factors, many of which are beyond the control of the affected individual.

Jobs with a Higher Propensity for PTSD

When considering PTSD Causes, some jobs are worse than others. There are professions that expose individuals to traumatic experiences more than others.

  • Military Personnel: On the frontline, they face the brutal realities of war.
  • First Responders: Police, firefighters, and paramedics often arrive at scenes that can be disturbing.
  • Healthcare Professionals: Doctors and nurses, especially those in emergency and intensive care units, are regularly exposed to severe injuries and death.
  • Journalists: War correspondents and those covering natural disasters witness trauma firsthand.
  • Social Workers: Engaging with victims of abuse or those in crisis can be distressing.

Again, there is no specific rule. If you have experienced trauma or been in a traumatic situation that caused stress and difficulty, PTSD is potentially part of the equation. There is no shame in the cause; there is only courage in finding the strength to identify it. And then getting help.

IOP Treatment for PTSD

Unlike inpatient programs where patients live at the facility, at an IOP, people get intensive mental health treatment while living at home. This structure helpful for people who need more thorough treatment but also need to maintain some semblance of their daily routines.

At Lido Wellness Center’s IOP program, we focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a primary treatment for PTSD. CBT helps individuals recognize and reshape their negative thought patterns, empowering them with tools to face their trauma head-on.

Another effective approach is Exposure Therapy. It walks individuals through a controlled re-experience of their traumatic events, diluting the event’s overwhelming power over time. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful tool in this process. Through guided eye movements, EMDR allows patients to process and reframe traumatic memories in a way that minimizes the immediate stress of interacting with their memory.

Group Therapy for PTSD

Therapy isn’t just about individual introspection. The power of community can’t be overlooked. Group therapy sessions within an IOP setting foster connections—people feel less alone. The shared stories, the collective sighs of relief, and the intertwining journeys of recovery often become an anchor in the turbulent sea.

Ready to Seek Help for PTSD? Contact Lido Wellness Center Today

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of PTSD, remember that you’re not alone, and there is help available. Lido Wellness Center, located in beautiful Newport Beach in Orange County, specializes in providing intensive outpatient mental health treatment.

Our compassionate team is dedicated to helping individuals regain control of their lives and find healing. We offer evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), tailored to address the unique needs of those dealing with PTSD.

Don’t let PTSD control your life any longer. Take the first step towards recovery by reaching out to Lido Wellness Center today.

Contact us at 949-541-8466 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our programs.

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Man engaged in a CBT therapy session, seeking treatment for PTSD, showcasing resilience and hope.

CBT for PTSD Near Me

Listed among the top search results for CBT therapy near me in Orange County, LIDO Wellness Center offers the best PTSD treatment available in Newport Beach, CA. We help clients suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health illnesses embrace a healthier state of mind and improved emotional regulation with our integrated treatment approach.

What Is CBT?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that’s highly effective in treating several behavioral and mental health issues. A mental health counselor will engage you in a structured talk therapy session to help you become aware of negative thinking and emotions. They will help you view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them using a rational approach.

Using CBT alongside other science-based therapies can be highly effective in treating depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can equip you with essential skills to manage stressful life situations easily.

What to Expect During CBT for PTSD?

You may receive cognitive behavioral therapy on a one-on-one basis or in a group setting in the presence of your family members or other patients suffering from similar issues. During a CBT session, you will learn about:

  1. Your mental health condition
  2. Techniques for relaxation, coping, resilience, stress management, and assertiveness

In the first therapy session, your PTSD and trauma treatment therapist will try to learn about you, your mental health condition including the potential causes of PTSD, and issues and concerns that bother you. A therapist will also ask about your current and past physical and emotional health and create a customized recovery plan for you. Your therapist may also recommend other psychotherapies and medications to help you cope with PTSD.

During the CBT session, the therapist will encourage you to talk about your thoughts and feelings and open up about issues that trouble you. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on specific problems and takes a goal-oriented approach. Your therapist may assign you homework, activities, reading, exercises, etc., that help you build on what you learn in your therapy. Our PTSD treatment program uses CBT to equip patients with essential coping mechanisms and apply what they learn in daily life.

How Long Should I Attend CBT For PTSD?

CBT is a short-term therapy. Patients generally attend five to 20 sessions to achieve their recovery goals. Talk to your therapist for PTSD treatment in Orange County to learn about the number of sessions you will need to overcome your mental health challenges and achieve improved psychiatric wellness.

Your therapist will assess your disorder or mental health situation, the severity of your symptoms, the length of your mental health issue, etc., before determining the number of CBT sessions you need. Be sure to join one of the best trauma treatment facilities for CBT to receive the best quality care and garner the best outcome in recovery.

Your search for the best trauma and PTSD treatment centers ends here. Contact 949-541-8466 to join LIDO Wellness Center. We offer the best CBT therapy near me at budget-friendly prices with dedicated and experienced therapists. Get in touch with us today to reshape your negative thinking and learn the best ways to manage your emotions.

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Woman on couch checking toddler's temperature with a thermometer, illustrating Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome.

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome

We are going to cover a topic that is not very fun. It is messy and filled with difficulty. Be aware, we are not going to go into details, but this is essentially a child abuse issue. So please be aware we will cover parts of this topic. This article/discussion touches on themes of child abuse, medical trauma, emotional manipulation, and mental health issues. Please proceed with caution if any of these topics might be triggering for you.

That said, let’s look at Munchausen by proxy syndrome.

It’s one of those bewildering and painful corners of the human psyche, a space where love and harm are tragically entangled.

MBPS Is Child Abuse

Munchausen by proxy syndrome, often abbreviated as MBPS, is a form of child abuse. Here, a caregiver, usually a mother, either exaggerates, fabricates, or induces physical or psychological symptoms in someone under their care. While the motivations can vary, one commonly believed reason is the caregiver’s need for attention, validation, or sympathy. The “sick” individual (often a child) becomes a conduit for these needs.

Now, if you’re raising your eyebrows or thinking, “Who would do such a thing?”, you’re not alone. It’s important to remember that people are layered, intricate puzzles. It’s easy to think of villains and heroes, but when we start labeling, we close the door to deeper understanding.

Here’s a brief sketch in numbers:

  • Few and Far Between: Only about 1,000 of the 2.5 million child abuse cases reported annually in the US can be ascribed to MBPS.
  • Motherly “Love”: Approximately 85% of the perpetrators are mothers. And this isn’t because mothers are inherently sinister. It’s possibly because they’re traditionally the primary caregivers and are more closely scrutinized in medical settings.
  • Shadowed by Mystery: It’s estimated that up to 10% of cases in pediatric chronic illness might be cases of MBPS, but we really don’t know for sure. It’s a tough condition to diagnose.

Who Has the Syndrome?

It’s not accurate to say the child “has” MBPS. Instead, the child is subjected to the behaviors and actions stemming from the caregiver’s manifestation of MBPS. The caregiver, on the other hand, is the one with the disorder. They are causing the harm or fabricating the symptoms for various reasons, often related to a need for attention, sympathy, or control.

So, in essence, the caregiver manifests MBPS (or Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another – FDIA), and the child is the one being harmed or made to appear sick by the caregiver’s actions.

So, the direct and most profound suffering is experienced by the child, who is subjected to unnecessary medical procedures, emotional distress, and a distorted sense of health and well-being. They might grow up with a skewed perception of their own health, facing potential long-term psychological and physical consequences.

The Whys and How’s of Munchausen by Proxy

It’s important to note that the adult perpetrator, while responsible for the abuse, may also be suffering from psychological issues or disorders that lead them to this behavior. Their actions are certainly harmful and inexcusable, but it’s possible that their own mental health struggles play a role in the manifestation of MBPS. It’s a complex issue that intertwines the mental well-being of both the caregiver and the child. Here are some potential underlying causes:

  • The Need for the Spotlight: We all crave attention. But imagine a need so profound that it eclipses reason. Caregivers might be seeking the emotional satisfaction derived from the attention and sympathy of doctors, nurses, and others who express concern.
  • Playing the Savior: There’s an addictive high that comes from appearing knowledgeable, competent, and necessary. The caregiver feels vital in the medical setting.
  • Control and Power: Inducing illness can be a way to control a child, to keep them dependent.
  • Unresolved Past Trauma: Some caregivers might have faced trauma or neglect in their past. This behavior can be an unconscious attempt to resolve that past pain.
  • Mental Health Issues: Some perpetrators might have underlying disorders like borderline personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder.

Understanding MBPS requires us to face the shadowed alleys of the human heart. It’s about realizing that sometimes, the lines between love, pain, and attention can blur into a heart-wrenching shade.

Seeking Light in the Shadows?

If you or someone you know is navigating the intricate maze of mental health challenges or Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome, remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Lido Wellness Center in Newport Beach offers a place to find clarity and work towards healing. You don’t have to walk this path alone; Lido is here to guide, support, and uplift. Call today: 949-541-8466.

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Childhood Trauma and Schizophrenia

Childhood Trauma and Schizophrenia: What’s the Link?

Exploring the link between childhood trauma and schizophrenia brings up multiple topics. Here, we will consider what childhood trauma may look like and how it can influence a person’s brain functioning as they get older—particularly where schizophrenia is concerned. Then we will answer the question: what now?

Describing Schizophrenia

The simplest definition of schizophrenia would be a “split mind.” But might not help much.  here’s what a “split mind” could look like.

Your friend David goes to college and has always been outgoing, friendly, and gotten along with friends and family.

Bur recently, what seems like out of nowhere, he started hearing voices in his head. He became paranoid. He started thinking the professors at school are plotting together to make him fail. He even thinks people are following him around to get info on him.

These symptoms make it tough for him to know what’s real. He stops going to parties. He hermits up in his room. It’s like there’s a split in his mind, with one side experiencing the world as it is and the other side being consumed by hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. This split mind makes it difficult for David to function in his everyday life.

Technically speaking schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and abnormal motor behavior.

How did this happen?

What Causes Schizophrenia?

Medical professionals are hesitant to point to a single reason a person develops schizophrenia. But some of the possible origins include genetic, brain chemistry, brain structure, and environmental causes. When looking at childhood trauma and its connection to mental health, it’s the last one we’re talking about: environmental factors.

Childhood Trauma and Schizophrenia

There are quite a few circumstances and situations that can be considered childhood trauma. But remember, trauma is personal—and even subjective to a degree. Trauma can have many faces. But, without getting into details, here are a few examples of what most would agree fall into the category of trauma in early childhood.

  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Emotional abuse (being repeatedly criticized, belittled, or ignored by a caregiver or other adult)
  • Neglect (denied basic needs)
  • Domestic violence (seeing it happen)
  • Bullying
  • Experiencing natural disasters
  • Losing a parent or loved one

What’s the Link?

When a child experiences trauma, the body’s stress response system is on overdrive. It goes into action releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. When the stress response is activated repeatedly or over a prolonged period, it can cause changes in the brain. This might mean even reducing the size of certain parts of the brain which will change the balance of neurotransmitters. These changes could lead to difficulties with memory, learning, and emotional regulation.

It’s these changes in the brain that we would consider “caused by environmental factors.” But again, it’s not a math equation. Childhood trauma does not necessarily mean schizophrenia will develop.

That said, if both are present in a person’s history and present experience, the link should be explored and treated if possible.

How Do We Treat Childhood Trauma Induced Schizophrenia?

The first step is talking to someone. There are experts available that can help. This may include a personal doctor or someone from a mental health treatment center like Lido Wellness Center. Once that is done, the person will be advised on their next steps for treatment.

This will likely include:

Schizophrenia Medication

Antipsychotic meds (Thorazine, Prolixin, Zyprexa, etc.) help to reduce the symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions. Antidepressant or mood stabilizer medication may also be used to help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders.

Inpatient Mental Health Treatment

The next step will be therapy or mental health treatment. At Lido Wellness Center, we offer an PHP, IOP, and Outpatient model of treatment which offers a more intensive approach to treatment. But any childhood trauma schizophrenia should include these modalities:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A type of therapy that helps individuals to change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to their symptoms.
  • Family therapy: Family therapy focuses on families understanding and coping with the illness. It will likely help to improve communication and reduce stress within the family.
  • Group therapy: Groups allow people with schizophrenia to connect with others who are experiencing similar problems and learn from one another.
  • Trauma-focused therapy: This approach can be particularly effective for individuals who have experienced childhood trauma.

It can include different forms of therapy such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which can help individuals process and come to terms with their traumatic experiences.

Are you looking for help with childhood trauma induced schizophrenia? Or dealing with any other aspect of trauma or mental health? Our team is available to answer your questions. We can help you understand the steps that are most appropriate for you and your unique circumstance.

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