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Hijacked by Your Brain

How to free yourself when stress takes over

Trauma
Are You Capable of Change?

Julian Ford Ph.D. on February 6, 2014

Change can be truly life affirming if we use it to sharpen and focus our minds. The essence of a fresh start is not simply a change in behavior, it’s a fundamental change in our hearts and minds and a focus on what we value and who we are.

Change can be truly life affirming if we use it to sharpen and focus our minds. The essence of a fresh start is not simply a change in behavior, it’s a fundamental change in our hearts and minds and a focus on what we value and who we are.

Stress
How to Avoid Impulse Buying

Julian Ford Ph.D. on December 20, 2013

Too many times, after the shopping's done, we don't even know why we bought what we did. There is another option.

Too many times, after the shopping's done, we don't even know why we bought what we did. There is another option.

Trauma
Newtown a Year Later: 12/14/12 - 12/14/13

Julian Ford Ph.D. on December 15, 2013

We need to find ways to do more than just feel sympathetic sorrow and resign ourselves to an endless repetition of flare-ups of deadly violence in schools and communities.

We need to find ways to do more than just feel sympathetic sorrow and resign ourselves to an endless repetition of flare-ups of deadly violence in schools and communities.

Stress
How to Eat Less This Holiday Season

Julian Ford Ph.D. on November 27, 2013

Overeating occurs when the alarm in our brain takes control and hijacks our choices.When you take the focus off of eating and step back and re-orient yourself to what you really value in life, this interrupts the alarm’s demands for mindless automatic reactions and reminds you that you do actually have a choice other than simply continuing to eat compulsively.

Overeating occurs when the alarm in our brain takes control and hijacks our choices.When you take the focus off of eating and step back and re-orient yourself to what you really value in life, this interrupts the alarm’s demands for mindless automatic reactions and reminds you that you do actually have a choice other than simply continuing to eat compulsively.

Trauma
In the Blink of an Eye

Julian Ford Ph.D. on September 20, 2013

Everything can change in the blink of an eye. One moment life seems calm and peaceful, the next you find yourself in a whirlwind and you have to get your bearings really fast to save yourself and others.We see how this happens in crises like the tragic mass shooting at the Washington Naval Yards. Those directly involved who were able to escape did not leave unscathed.

Everything can change in the blink of an eye. One moment life seems calm and peaceful, the next you find yourself in a whirlwind and you have to get your bearings really fast to save yourself and others.We see how this happens in crises like the tragic mass shooting at the Washington Naval Yards. Those directly involved who were able to escape did not leave unscathed.

Trauma
When Childhood Adversity Hijacks a Survivor’s Life: Part II

Julian Ford Ph.D. on September 12, 2013

Trauma-impacted parents and families who are operating in survival mode tend to focus on managing problems and negative behaviors, rather than enhancing their child’s development or competency.

Trauma-impacted parents and families who are operating in survival mode tend to focus on managing problems and negative behaviors, rather than enhancing their child’s development or competency.

Child Development
When Childhood Adversity Hijacks a Survivor’s Life: Part I

Julian Ford Ph.D. on August 31, 2013

Exposure to profound adversity in childhood, while the brain and mind are rapidly developing, can cause severe post-traumatic stress. It also can cause alterations in development that may change the entire course of a child’s life and health. A new diagnosis may be part of improved treatment and healing.

Exposure to profound adversity in childhood, while the brain and mind are rapidly developing, can cause severe post-traumatic stress. It also can cause alterations in development that may change the entire course of a child’s life and health. A new diagnosis may be part of improved treatment and healing.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD Becomes (More) Complex in the DSM-5: Part II

Julian Ford Ph.D. on June 16, 2013

In the DSM-5 released in May, PTSD just got more complex. These changes reflect advances in science and clinical practice, which echo what trauma survivors have been saying for decades (if not centuries): PTSD is a radical shift from normal self-regulation to being trapped in a constant state of alarm.

In the DSM-5 released in May, PTSD just got more complex. These changes reflect advances in science and clinical practice, which echo what trauma survivors have been saying for decades (if not centuries): PTSD is a radical shift from normal self-regulation to being trapped in a constant state of alarm.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD Becomes (More) Complex in the DSM-5: Part 1

Julian Ford Ph.D. on June 11, 2013

The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has undergone much more than a minor tweaking or superficial facelift in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5. This guidebook to psychiatric diagnoses, released in May, now defines PTSD as a trauma and stressor-related disorder, not a disorder primarily of anxiety alone.

The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has undergone much more than a minor tweaking or superficial facelift in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5. This guidebook to psychiatric diagnoses, released in May, now defines PTSD as a trauma and stressor-related disorder, not a disorder primarily of anxiety alone.

Stress
3 Lessons PTSD Treatment Teaches About Stress Management

Julian Ford Ph.D. on May 29, 2013

The impact of chronic daily stressors is much more insidious and more typically overlooked than the extreme stress symptoms that can result from exposure to traumatic events.

The impact of chronic daily stressors is much more insidious and more typically overlooked than the extreme stress symptoms that can result from exposure to traumatic events.

Stress
Insight Makes Us Human

Julian Ford Ph.D. on March 22, 2013

Insight is a uniquely human capacity, but it's not what you think it is. Insight is the ability to visualize the workings of our own brain and mind. Insight doesn't eliminate stress, but it is what can relieve stress when our lives become overwhelming.

Insight is a uniquely human capacity, but it's not what you think it is. Insight is the ability to visualize the workings of our own brain and mind. Insight doesn't eliminate stress, but it is what can relieve stress when our lives become overwhelming.

Attention
Did You Know Your Brain Has an Alarm?

Julian Ford Ph.D. on January 31, 2013

Most of us live with the alarm constantly sounding. That's chronic stress. We walk around believing that something is wrong with us or other people or the world, when that’s often not the message the alarm is trying to send. We don’t know how to turn it down because we don’t realize that paying attention to the alarm's message actually resets it.

Most of us live with the alarm constantly sounding. That's chronic stress. We walk around believing that something is wrong with us or other people or the world, when that’s often not the message the alarm is trying to send. We don’t know how to turn it down because we don’t realize that paying attention to the alarm's message actually resets it.

Trauma
What Therapists Need to Know In the Wake of Violence-Part 2

Julian Ford Ph.D. on January 4, 2013

Compassionate listening and dependable availability are the best ways to support each individual’s unique way of gradually coming to terms with the shock, confusion, and sense of loss and betrayal that are expectable.

Compassionate listening and dependable availability are the best ways to support each individual’s unique way of gradually coming to terms with the shock, confusion, and sense of loss and betrayal that are expectable.

Stress
What Every Therapist Needs to Know In the Wake of Violence

Julian Ford Ph.D. on December 29, 2012

As therapists, we need to know what to do to help without inadvertently causing more harm or suffering—primum non nocere. Just as it is a mistake to rush to the scene, it is a mistake to rush children or adults into treatment.

As therapists, we need to know what to do to help without inadvertently causing more harm or suffering—primum non nocere. Just as it is a mistake to rush to the scene, it is a mistake to rush children or adults into treatment.

Happiness
It Can’t Happen Here

Julian Ford Ph.D. on December 14, 2012

An unspeakable tragedy occurred in Newtown, Connecticut today. Twenty-seven innocent people—young children and their teachers—were killed at an elementary school where no one ever thought violence like this could occur, ever. What can we do about it?

An unspeakable tragedy occurred in Newtown, Connecticut today. Twenty-seven innocent people—young children and their teachers—were killed at an elementary school where no one ever thought violence like this could occur, ever. What can we do about it?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is the Amygdala Hijacking Joe’s Brain

Julian Ford Ph.D. on December 7, 2012

The mind is more than the sum of the neurons in the brain, but nothing that we think or feel is separate from the brain. When people with PTSD think the world is dangerous and feel a profound sense of threat and danger, it’s not just “in their mind.” It’s the brain operating in survival mode, and the solution is to shift the brain back to learning mode.

The mind is more than the sum of the neurons in the brain, but nothing that we think or feel is separate from the brain. When people with PTSD think the world is dangerous and feel a profound sense of threat and danger, it’s not just “in their mind.” It’s the brain operating in survival mode, and the solution is to shift the brain back to learning mode.

Stress
U.S. Businesses' $600 Billion Elephant

Julian Ford Ph.D. on November 30, 2012

The American Psychological Association lists stress as a $300 billion-a-year liability on businesses. Taking another look at the numbers, is this actually an underestimate?

The American Psychological Association lists stress as a $300 billion-a-year liability on businesses. Taking another look at the numbers, is this actually an underestimate?

Trauma
Recovering From Military Trauma

Julian Ford Ph.D. on November 11, 2012

Military personnel and veterans are not surprised to learn that they have an alarm in their brains. They know what it’s like when that alarm kicks off an adrenaline rush and the fight-flight response. But they’ve never been provided with a user’s guide to turning down or resetting that alarm in the brain.

Military personnel and veterans are not surprised to learn that they have an alarm in their brains. They know what it’s like when that alarm kicks off an adrenaline rush and the fight-flight response. But they’ve never been provided with a user’s guide to turning down or resetting that alarm in the brain.

Stress
How to Recover From Disaster

Julian Ford Ph.D. on November 2, 2012

Whether a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, the trauma of living through a natural disaster is deep and excruciating. When the waters recede, the winds die down, or the earth stops shaking, we begin the clean up of our homes and neighborhoods. What can we do to put our emotional lives back together too?

Whether a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, the trauma of living through a natural disaster is deep and excruciating. When the waters recede, the winds die down, or the earth stops shaking, we begin the clean up of our homes and neighborhoods. What can we do to put our emotional lives back together too?

Stress
Stress Is Not the Enemy

Julian Ford Ph.D. on October 26, 2012

Too many stress reduction guides teach that we need to "get rid of" or "reduce" stress. You can't eliminate stress from your life. When you understand what's going on in your brain when you experience stress, you can begin to manage it in a completely new way.

Too many stress reduction guides teach that we need to "get rid of" or "reduce" stress. You can't eliminate stress from your life. When you understand what's going on in your brain when you experience stress, you can begin to manage it in a completely new way.