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RECOVER YOUR LIFE: an Anchoring Faith in Times of Trauma

Concluding our “Am I Okay?” series on mental health

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been exploring various mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Today, we’re concluding this series by discussing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, and religious trauma syndrome.

Understanding PTSD

According to studies, about 9% of US adults will experience some form of PTSD in their lifetime. While commonly associated with war or major accidents, PTSD can stem from many traumatic events. Two people can experience the same event, yet only one may develop PTSD symptoms – it’s often related to brain chemistry and neural pathways.

PTSD was first recognized by the Swiss military in 1678, though not to the extent we understand it today. Throughout history, it was often called “shell shock” or “combat exhaustion.” Like other disorders we’ve discussed, PTSD involves the over- or under-activation of certain brain structures and changes in neurotransmitter levels.

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FLY AWAY AND FIND REST: Understanding Anxiety from a Faith-Based Perspective

In our fast-paced world, anxiety has become increasingly prevalent, affecting millions of Americans each year. As someone who has experienced anxiety firsthand, I understand the challenges of addressing mental health issues with both sensitivity and hope. Too often, well-meaning people can do more harm than good when discussing these topics, leaving those who struggle feeling worse about their condition or without hope for improvement.

The Reality of Anxiety Today

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting approximately 40 million adults—roughly 18% of the population. Perhaps more alarming is the significant increase in anxiety among children and college students since the 1950s. Today’s high school students often experience anxiety levels that would have been considered severe enough for hospitalization in previous decades, yet they’re expected to continue with their daily activities as if nothing were wrong.

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Sustaining Hope

Psalm 91:2

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

What a year it’s been. It has been almost a year to the day since we got the call informing us schools would be closed before and after spring break. We were nervous but hopeful that this would all be behind us by Easter, or by Summer, or by next school year, or by…. Yet here we are.

Continue reading → Sustaining Hope