What are some good things to do before going to sleep after a traumatic event?

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This may sound like a question for almost general sleeping tips...

If someone wakes up every few hours being unable to sleep after a traumatic event what are some good things to do to calm down before bed? Anything particular they should eat, or drink? Would having someone they trust in the room while or until they sleep be helpful? Are there some positions more comfortable than others?
It's all about what the person who has had the traumatic event prefers.
Personally I'd advise sitting with them, making where they're sleeping really comfortable and nicely lit, dimly lit and such, make them a nice hot mug of whatever they like (I personally like hot chocolate!) then read to them any book they choose. Even when they're asleep carry on reading just for 10 minutes or so after, just so while they're lucid dreaming they can hear your voice and it sooths them into a deeper sleep quicker.
I'd advise routines, not strict routines but nice routines that make the person happy, so they can concentrate on the present.
Maybe watch a film with them before they sleep also?  (+ info)

What type of government money is available for an individual after having a Traumatic Brain Injury?

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I had a traumatic brain injury and am in serious need of financial help to go back to school and to live. I've heard that there are many different grants and government funds available but can't seem to find any on the internet. Does anyone know what I can do?
I am not aware of any special grants for people with TBI.
just regular financial aid, by filling out the FAFSA, which connects you with government backed-loans and grants, like any other student.

Maybe there might be a scholarship through the local branch of the TBI association, but that's all I can think of.  (+ info)

What will weed do to my brain if I am recovering from a very traumatic brain injury?

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By very traumatic I mean multiple brain contusions, skull fractures, broken bones in my ear, and double vision. Do you think it will hinder my recovery? The doctor said don't do any drugs, but you would think that every doctor would tell you NOT to do drugs... Right?
I was just in your situation last year, minus the contusions and broken ear-bones. I agree that smoking anything will slow your recovery, simply from the tar and carbon monoxide, but if you use a vaporizer, you don't have to worry about inhaling combustion products.

I started smoking weed again about 2 months after my injury. It helped me wean off of the strong pain meds I was given, made a massive positive difference in my mood, and helped me deal with the psychological trauma stemming from the incident. As for the physiological effects of weed on an injured brain, here's something that you should read:

"Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon found that the administration of synthetic cannabinoids in rats stimulated the proliferation of newborn neurons (nerve cells) in the hippocampus region of the brain and significantly reduced measures of anxiety and depression-like behavior."

It did for me what it sounds like it did for those rats. I wish I could have taken part in a study to test the efficacy on human neurogenesis. The bottom line is you sound like you have a lot on your mind and you have a long way to go. In my experience, smoking weed with these kinds of injuries is the least of your worries. Relax. Stress is much worse for you right now. Just make sure you use your brain. Watch Discovery or other educational programs while you are recovering and don't let the onset of ADD and working-memory deficits get you down.

Optimism: Now you get to see the world in a new light.  (+ info)

How do I know if I have post traumatic stress disorder?

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I've researched my "ailments" and think I have self diagnosed my self with post traumatic stress disorder, how would I know for sure?
If there been any trauma in your life that brothers you all the time  (+ info)

Is it possible to completely block out a traumatic memory from your childhood?

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I feel that looking back at memories of my childhood and how I've grown up helps me to understand my mental health and how I've developed. However remembering some silly memories about my childhood I've wondered if something I found to be traumatic happened to me when I was young and I've completely blocked it out. Is this possible?
It's possible, but unlikely.

Sometimes, people who have undergone severe trauma will have amnesia about the incident, but Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, where unwanted memories keep on coming back, is far more common.

During the 1980s and 1990s, there was a fad about "Recovered Memories". Unfortunately, many of these were the result of suggestions planted by unscrupulous 'therapists'. Some of these claims were demonstrably false, but some people preferred the illusion to reality. Many untrue accusations, pain and injustice resulted.

Although the psychological and social dynamics of False Memory Syndrome have been demonstrated, some therapists and their clients continue to prefer constructing their own versions of reality.  (+ info)

What is the age, when abusive behaviors are no longer considered part of a "traumatic childhood"?

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Basically, what if a child is being abused by their parents/relatives, at what age is their abusive past not considered an abusive or traumatic childhood?

Thanks :)
Okay, let's say a child has had a very abusive past and their abusers are still abusing them. At what age, does their abusive childhood end, and their abusive adulthood begin?
That is my life. As you know I am Bipolar. My parents did not understand it so I was not technically abused horrible but I got the belt and the verbal abuse was worse. Once she punch me in the mouth when I was in a Bipolar Mood and my braces stuck stuck to my lips. I have never seen so much blood in my mouth. The verbal abuse never went away and I am 40 and have been in therapy for it. My mom sill verbally abuses me and my oldest daughter who is 23 has picked it up from my mom. It hurts like hell.

I just accepted it a part of life. My girl's dad verbally abused me horrible due to my Bipolar and he knew I was Bipolar before I married him. He was physically abusive to me once in a while. He still hangs with my family too. That hurts even worse. It is like pouring salt in an open wound!!!

Then I married a cop I never really loved. I used him as a security blanket. I wasn't even married a month and the physical abuse started in! It began by him grabbing my hair and dragging me down the hall!! I then had a gun held to my held on many occasions, he broke my nose, and my arm, wrist, and thumb! He went to jail once and that made him more aggressive. My girls witnessed it too. My oldest daughter moved to my parent's at 17. The youngest stayed she was about 10. I did not want my parent's to know because I though they would start in me about a second divorce. The first divorce my parents wanted to have me committed to a Mental Hospital. It was bad.

My oldest finally told my parents about the bruises I lied about, and the broken bones. He threatened to kill me if I left. They did overnight me money to get out. I moved to an apartment. The worse part my youngest suffers from PTSD and she is 17 now andand is still in therapy. She wanted to go live with her dad 3 hours away to feel safe. So, she moved. That was a knife in my heart and it is still there! I miss her so much.

I braved it again and got remarried. I am treated like a Princess. He has learned about my Bipolar and how to deal with it. He also goes to my psychiatrist visits with me. I still miss my girls and so does he. My youngest wants to move back here but she has scholarships and colleges looking at her for her music ability. So, I can't pull her out her junior year. I cry a lo over her and it has been 7 6 years since she left!!

The bruises heal, broken bones heal, you learn to live with the scars and that does go not go away.
Verbal abuse will never go away!!!! It is permanently planted in your head but you learn to deal with it. My mom and oldest daughter still verbally abuse me. I get angry and want to fight them but I leave! Even, if the verbal abuse stopped it would still be planted in my head from the past. Again physical abuse will heal in time but verbal abuse is something you will learn to deal with and it is hard.  (+ info)

How do you get rid of a recurring Pyogenic Granuloma that has caused Osteomylitis and amputation of a big toe?

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Skin grafts have been attempted as has numerous excisions. Osteomylitis of the bones in the great toe resulted in amputation of the toe.
Wound flap failed and wound has taken 4 months to heal, now is beginning to over granulate again.
No history of diabetes or any other such.

Suggestions or advice appreciated
Have you tried a polyurethane foam dressing?


Harris and Rolstad report the findings of a small clinical trial of a polyurethane foam to treat over granulation:
“Although there is very little in the literature regarding hypergranulation tissue, the fact that there are numerous treatments by various wound clinicians demonstrates the recognition of its presence as a clinical problem. The paucity of published information prompted the authors to design a study to collect objective data on a treatment method they had found useful in their practices. This article explores the issue of hypergranulation and offers a nontraumatic method of management. A prospective non-controlled correlational study was undertaken with ten patients and twelve wounds using a polyurethane foam dressing to reduce hypergranulation tissue. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in height of 2 mm of granulation tissue from initial measurements to measurements taken two weeks later."  (+ info)

How much pain is there after below-the-knee amputation?

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Also, is phantom limb pain probable, and does is last forever? My vascular surgeon feels I should have a below-the-knee amputation soon. I have seen the orthopedic surgeon who will do the procedure, but he didn't give me much good info at all. Anyone know if there is a support group for amputees? Thanks a lot. This is really scarey.
There is considerable pain after below the knee amputation, just like any other surgeries...and the phantom limb pain is experienced by amputees up to six months or even a year...after surgery  (+ info)

What are some vietnam movies/other works that show post traumatic stress disorder in soldiers?

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I need some work/ art to compare with actual accounts of post traumatic stress disorder. Does anyone have any good movies/ or other works that I can use.

Thank you.
Rambo - First Blood. It is an older movie, but it shows first hand what that stress can do to you and what happens when it overwhelms you.  (+ info)

What advice would you give to someone living with post traumatic stress?

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My mother went through a lot of stressful and traumatic incidents in her life. She seemed ok, but now I suspect she is exhibiting post traumatic stress. (I'm living in another country, but will return next year, when my term of service is up.) I'm here on holiday, to be with her. I noticed that her nerves seem to be constantly on edge, vulnerable, forgetful, agitated. She told me she knows she has post traumatic stress, but she refuses to go on medication, and doesn't trust counsellors.
So what can I do to make my mother more calm and relaxed given this situation?

Thanks.
She would benefit immensely from professional help to deal with PTSD. I have it and did not realise it at first. Now I am receiving counselling and I honestly don't think I could cope without it. It is helping me to deal with my emotions day to day and talk about what happened which is very hard and painful.

You can also gain from talking to people who deal in trauma and they will help you to understand what to do and how to cope.  (+ info)

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