Category: PTSD

Defense Mechanisms: What They Are and Why Your Mind Uses Them

Defense mechanisms protect us from feelings that our mind has decided are too much to handle. It redirects, reframes, deflects, and sometimes distorts reality in convincing ways, all in the service of keeping us functional. These mental strategies are called defense mechanisms, and once we know how to recognize them, we start spotting them everywhere. […]

Storm Stress vs. Storm Anxiety vs. Storm Trauma: Understanding the Emotional Impact of Severe Weather

We recently presented to the Junior League of Nashville on the topic of “Managing Storm Anxiety.” Joined by Andrew Leeper from Nashville Severe Weather (we are huge fans so it was a thrill), we shared information about the different ways that people respond to severe weather and ways to manage it.  Storms can evoke powerful […]

10 Ways To Support Your Mental Health After The Ice Storm

Middle Tennessee has just been through an unusual and stressful experience. Snow, ice, sleet, and extended temperatures below freezing have led to major disruptions for so many in Middle Tennessee. At the writing of this blog, there are still 107,277 customers without power (including this very author).   Many people dealt with fallen trees, damaged power […]

Finding Calm in the Storm: How To Cope with Weather-Related Anxiety

Spring is in the air. Unfortunately, in addition to picnics, egg hunts, and other outdoor activities, it is also tornado season. For many, tornado season (March-May) brings more than high winds; it can also bring intense fear.  For some, these feelings are fleeting; when the tornado warning expires, they get back to their usual routine […]

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month and we believe that everyone can benefit from understanding more about PTSD. PTSD is estimated to impact 7.8% of Americans in their lifetime, and millions of people worldwide.  If you aren’t impacted by PTSD, you likely know someone or several people who are. It’s important to note […]