Why do some people develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after a trauma and others remain symptom free? We're not sure, but researchers are looking more deeply into this question.
The ability to bounce back from adversity has been referred to as "resilience." It is a key ingredient in good mental health. We have long known that some people handle stress better than others. Why are some Viet Nam combat veterans handicapped for life, while others become United States senators? Why do some adults raised in alcoholic families do well, while others have repeated problems in life? The characteristic of "resilience" is shared by those who cope well with stress.
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Written by Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.
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The War Between Natural and Pharmaceutical Remedies for Mental Health
Written by Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.
Right now there is a completely dichotomous battle going on between the so called "natural remedies" and the medicines created by the pharmaceutical industry. Both argue that the other is a poor choice of treatment for mental health disorders – especially anxiety and panic attacks – and that the other is contributing to a community that disregards better treatment methods.
This is a problem, and something that needs to be changed. Natural vs pharmaceutical medicine is not a matter of one or the other. Both have their place in the world of mental health, and both need to be accepted by society if the goal is to improve the long term quality of life of those in need of these treatments.
Medicine is Not the Only Way
Perhaps the biggest issue with this debate is that it ignores other options that don't involve a supplement or medicine at all. Cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation exercises, and other techniques are healthy and effective ways to reduce daily stress, and should arguably be used before any type of oral drug is even considered.
