The Many Faces of Anxiety and Trauma

Politics

Dealing With Election Anxiety

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on August 16, 2024

Instead of excitement about the upcoming election, most Americans are terrified of the “other side” winning. Here are tips on managing election anxiety, while staying informed.

Instead of excitement about the upcoming election, most Americans are terrified of the “other side” winning. Here are tips on managing election anxiety, while staying informed.

Trauma

A TikTok ‘Expert’ Says You Have PTSD—but Do You?

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on January 26, 2024

Let's demystify PTSD and the misinformation spread by social media and distinguish it from everyday stress. Here are effective therapies and lifestyle adjustments to help.

Let's demystify PTSD and the misinformation spread by social media and distinguish it from everyday stress. Here are effective therapies and lifestyle adjustments to help.

Media

Violent and Disturbing War Images Can Stir Deep Emotions

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on November 22, 2023

We are all constantly bombarded with negative and horrific news. Here are practical ways to reduce the negative impact on yourself and your children.

We are all constantly bombarded with negative and horrific news. Here are practical ways to reduce the negative impact on yourself and your children.

Anxiety

Effects of Anxiety on Creativity

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on November 21, 2023

There are many ways anxiety and creativity can interact with each other, strengthen and weaken each other, be in each other's service, or color each other.

There are many ways anxiety and creativity can interact with each other, strengthen and weaken each other, be in each other's service, or color each other.

Fear

If Anxiety Is in My Brain, Why Is My Heart Pounding?

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on September 7, 2023

Historically, the heart, stomach, and chest were seen as the place for emotions, but science tells us they are in the brain.

Historically, the heart, stomach, and chest were seen as the place for emotions, but science tells us they are in the brain.

Unconscious

'Ex Machina' May Be On Its Way to Your Home

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on June 19, 2023

Unleashing AI into our personal lives could lead to blurring the boundaries of real and unreal, our psyche and the AI, and the human and the machine.

Unleashing AI into our personal lives could lead to blurring the boundaries of real and unreal, our psyche and the AI, and the human and the machine.

Trauma

How to Protect Your Family From Horrific News Images

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on May 1, 2022

Horrific news and images of wars or mass shootings can have a detrimental impact on our mental health. Consider these tips for staying informed while limiting the negative impact.

Horrific news and images of wars or mass shootings can have a detrimental impact on our mental health. Consider these tips for staying informed while limiting the negative impact.

Online Therapy

How the Pandemic Reshaped Telepsychiatry: Lessons Learned

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on April 9, 2022

Telepsychiatry exponentially increased due to the pandemic. This post discusses its challenges, and the enormous opportunities it has created.

Telepsychiatry exponentially increased due to the pandemic. This post discusses its challenges, and the enormous opportunities it has created.

Trauma

The Dire Psychological Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on March 9, 2022

The unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russia not only threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions but can cause long-term psychological scars.

The unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russia not only threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions but can cause long-term psychological scars.

Trauma

The Aching Flames: PTSD and Firefighting

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on August 13, 2021

While many people think of firefighters as the happy heroes, the real-life experiences of these heroes can have real consequences for their mental health.

While many people think of firefighters as the happy heroes, the real-life experiences of these heroes can have real consequences for their mental health.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Can MDMA Help Treat PTSD?

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on May 6, 2021

Recent studies about the use of MDMA as an adjunct to therapy in the treatment of PTSD have generated excitement. Here are the facts, potential benefits, and risks.

Recent studies about the use of MDMA as an adjunct to therapy in the treatment of PTSD have generated excitement. Here are the facts, potential benefits, and risks.

Fear

How Mass Shootings Leave Emotional Scars on Society

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on March 29, 2021

Tragic mass shootings take a toll on those who witnessed the shooting, first responders, people in the area, and even those who heard about the shooting in the media.

Tragic mass shootings take a toll on those who witnessed the shooting, first responders, people in the area, and even those who heard about the shooting in the media.

Anxiety

How Exercise Protects Your Brain Against Depression and Anxiety

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on March 1, 2021

See how regular exercise changes the biology of our brain to fight depression and anxiety, and learn practical ways of including physical activity in your busy life.

See how regular exercise changes the biology of our brain to fight depression and anxiety, and learn practical ways of including physical activity in your busy life.

Fear

Moving Forward in 2021: A Guide to Depolarizing America

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on January 4, 2021

America today is a deeply divided nation and fear, tribalism and misinformation run deep in its veins. Here are four ways we can depolarize our country before it is too late.

America today is a deeply divided nation and fear, tribalism and misinformation run deep in its veins. Here are four ways we can depolarize our country before it is too late.

Media

Social Media, the Matrix, and Digital Tribalism

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on November 14, 2020

Social media promised connectivity. Then they evolved into Frankenstein’s monsters that left us isolated in digital tribal islands, scared and angry at each other.

Social media promised connectivity. Then they evolved into Frankenstein’s monsters that left us isolated in digital tribal islands, scared and angry at each other.

Trauma

The Aching Blue: Invisible Wounds of the Police

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on October 2, 2020

Police are regularly exposed to serious injury, death, and threat to themselves and civilians. This piece discusses police trauma's far-reaching impact, as well as challenges and solutions

Police are regularly exposed to serious injury, death, and threat to themselves and civilians. This piece discusses police trauma's far-reaching impact, as well as challenges and solutions

Politics

How Biden Can Beat Trump in the Era of Tribal Politics

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on September 30, 2020

Elections are often viewed from the angles of policy, strategy, and debate performance. In 2020, evolutionary and tribal politics are strongly at play.

Elections are often viewed from the angles of policy, strategy, and debate performance. In 2020, evolutionary and tribal politics are strongly at play.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fireworks Can Torment Veterans and Survivors of Gun Violence

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on July 1, 2020

For some veterans, the 4th of July can be a terrifying ordeal because the fireworks rock their nervous system.

For some veterans, the 4th of July can be a terrifying ordeal because the fireworks rock their nervous system.

Psychology

What Is Sufi Psychology?

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on June 27, 2020

Sufism is a spiritual practice of the inner journey of self-exploration and knowing one’s “true self.”

Sufism is a spiritual practice of the inner journey of self-exploration and knowing one’s “true self.”

Health

Invisible Wounds of the Frontline Heroes

Arash Javanbakht M.D. on June 17, 2020

Health care workers and first responders are dealing with unprecedented stress that is quietly impacting their mental health.

Health care workers and first responders are dealing with unprecedented stress that is quietly impacting their mental health.