This article originally appeared on 11.21.14
FACT CHECK TIME! This infographic is based on data from 2012. Unfortunately, because of the misinformation from the anti-vaccination movement, some of these diseases are trending up in a really bad way. Measles is the starkest example. There were about 61 cases of measles in all of 2012, but in just the first seven months of 2014, there have been nearly 600.
You might even think you know what PTSD looks like. But do you know how to tell the difference between run-of-the-mill stress or something more serious?
It's common to have stress after experiencing or witnessing a trauma, like a car accident, natural disaster, military service, or abuse.
PTSD has been a hotbed topic with 11% to 20% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report experiencing symptoms in a given year.
And while the disorder makes headlines, many people are still unsure what to look for or how to support themselves or someone they care about.
There are four major symptoms associated with PTSD. Recognizing them is the first step on the road to recovery.
Images via Veterans Health Administration.
There are lots of treatment options to manage PTSD, from traditional methods like counseling and medication to alternative solutions like yoga and meditation.
There are also specific resources and networks for veterans and survivors of sexual assault.
Bullied children are more likely to have depression, anxiety, substance use problems, or self-harm. It breaks down self-esteem and puts the child on constant alert because the acts of aggression repeatedly occur.
Social isolation, name-calling, taunting, and online nastiness may not be as stark, but they're still damaging. Over time, it gets inside a person and tears them down. When bullying is a part of everyday life, it's hard to look in the mirror and feel good about what you see. You're bombarded with negative feedback about who you are. It's especially difficult when it's based on a fundamental part of yourself that you can't (and shouldn't) change.
Racism breaks down self-esteem the same way: by reinforcing the idea that there is something wrong with you. Sometimes the attacks are big. Sometimes they're small. But they're always damaging.
A child who is often picked on when riding the school bus may develop anxiety before those yellow doors open. Similarly, a person who is often followed in stores may develop anxiety before going shopping.
The British colonized Australia in the late-1700s and displaced the aboriginal people who lived in and around it. Ever since, they have fought for equality in a land that was once their own. Even though overtly discriminatory laws have been repealed, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) still experience day-to-day racism from their fellow Australians.
In this video by beyondblue, five ATSI people talk about how racism affects their emotionalwell-being.
"I think later on, if it happens to you a few times, it has a massive effect on you." — Basil
The worry of encountering racism causes stress to build up. Sometimes that stress can manifest in diagnosable mental disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or PTSD.
Think about it: When soldiers spend extended time on the battlefield, stress can build up even if they never engage the enemy. Just the constant pressure of being in danger can cause lasting mental damage. Facing consistent discrimination can do the same thing.
We know that it's harmful. We know that everyone has a hand in stopping bullying behavior. We're coming together to make childhood healthier for all kids.
We used to say that discrimination was normal. We know better now. Let's do better too.
At the time, Bodnar had just graduated from medical school. She volunteered to help evacuate and treat local residents affected by the radiation.
She observed that the radioactive iodine in the air was getting into to their lungs and making them sick. Masks were not readily available.
After years of research and testing, she filed for a patent in 2004 and never looked back.
Is it the most practical application of science? Maybe more than you might think.
The EBra looks and costs about the same as an ordinary bra ($30) but can save two lives in the event of a emergency. The average American woman may not need an EBra, but in countries where unpredictable violent attacks are a concern (like Syria or her home country Ukraine), this could be a very helpful tool to have strapped to your body.
Mental health stigma is an unfortunate thing. It makes it so much harder to take care of yourself when you're having a moment (or a long moment) of struggle because you feel like you have to hide.
Image via Thinkstock.
There's a ton of research supporting how meditation is super good for your mind and body. Have you caught the mindfulness bug but you're not sure where to start? There are some great apps that can help you get started with just a few minutes a day. Some options are completely free, some are have a one-time fee, some have both free and paid features.
Image via Thinkstock.
It's easy to go about our day just riding the emotional wave. But having more awareness of our feelings and the contexts in which we feel them makes it so much easier for us to live happier healthier lives. Downloading a mood-tracking app to the little gadget in your back pocket can make that so much easier. The best mood-tracking apps remind you to take note of your moods as well as what is affecting them.
If you're dealing with a specific issue like anxiety (like I do), a specialized app like Pacifica might be really be helpful. Its features were developed with cognitive behavioral therapy in mind so it's very good at helping me reframe my thoughts when I'm feeling negative emotions.
Image via Thinkstock.
Many therapists offer sessions over webcam (they usually cost the same as in-person), but you may still find it unaffordable or difficult to block off the necessary time. Companies like BetterHelp and Talkspace are making therapy easier and cheaper to get by giving you in a private, secure chat room with your therapist. You pay a subscription fee to have unlimited access to your chatroom via your computer, tablet, or phone.
Image via Thinkstock.
Even if you're sure that the thing you need is some one-on-one face time, trying to find a provider can seem intimidating. Psychology Today's Find a Therapist tool to the rescue! You can search by your location then refine by whatever facets are important to you including insurance, specialty, and treatment orientation. A list of pictures and bios will tell you everything you want to know about the providers you have left. It's completely free. You don't have to sign up for anything.
Therapy dogs like those at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the above video by Military Health aren't random dogs from a local shelter. These are highly trained, certified dogs with handlers. Therapy and emotional support dogs have been shown to help veterans break out of their emotional shells, leading to more productive therapy sessions and better relationships with loved ones.
More research is needed into how exactly therapy dogs help mitigate the problems that wounded veterans experience, but we've known for a very long time that having pets — especially dogs — grants some pretty serious health benefits.
One big reason: They stimulate our brains to create oxytocin.
Oxytocin is a hormone that the brain excretes during certain social interactions. It does a few neat magic tricks on the mind and the body. Scientists have found that oxytocin:
This awesome:
Go pet your dog and then tell me. If you don't have a dog, pet someone else's dog. (But always ask first.)
In an ad by Panache Lingerie, we meet international model Marquita Pring. She was selected by Panache as part of its role model campaign, which is in celebration of strong women worthy of aspiration.
Pring is quick to explain that it isn't only skin-deep. She talks about how it is more than just what meets the eye and offers some good advice on what's most important. She says:
"Focus on yourself. That's all you can do. Once you start comparing yourself to others, you lose track of your own path. Putting that little extra effort into loving yourself makes such a difference. Learn to love yourself, and the rest will fall into place."
— Marquita Pring
Hint:
via Tumblr
via Giphy
When we elevate the same body over and over, we send a message: "This body is the best body. This is the body you should have."
A lot of the media we see celebrates only one kind of body as the best. That's not true. Every body is the best body. But 23 people in the United States die each day from eating disorders. The body ideals that come to us through ads and media have a lot to do with that statistic.
Not just white bodies. Not just tall bodies. Not just thin bodies. Lots of different bodies.
