Reported today May, 19, 2013

Regions of the brain that have been linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans continue to perform abnormally, even if there is no external stress present, according to new research published in the journal Neuroscience Letters.

The research, which was completed by researchers at the New York University School of Medicine and presented Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatry Association, also found that the effects of chronic trauma were persistent in specific areas of the brain even when the patient is not engaged in an cognitive or emotional tasks.

The study authors claim that their findings could provide new insight into which area of the brain provokes traumatic symptoms, and could represent a key step forward towards the development of improved diagnostic and treatment options for PTSD – a condition which can cause flashbacks, nightmares, disturbing memories and emotional instability in those suffering from the anxiety disorder.

NYU School of Medicine research fellow Xiaodan Yan and colleagues recruited 104 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and used fMRI to measure the blood-oxygen levels in their brain under “spontaneous” or “resting” conditions. They discovered that spontaneous brain activity in the amygdala, a key structure in the area of the brain responsible for producing fearful or anxious emotions, was significantly higher in the 52 combat veterans with PTSD than in the 52 who did not suffer from the condition.

“The PTSD group also showed elevated brain activity in the anterior insula, a brain region that regulates sensitivity to pain and negative emotions,” the university explained. “Moreover, the PTSD group had lower activity in the precuneus, a structure tucked between the brain’s two hemispheres that helps integrate information from the past and future, especially when the mind is wandering or disengaged from active thought.”

There is a correlation between decreased activity in the precuneus and increased severity of “re-experiencing” symptoms (the phenomenon during which PTSD patients re-experience traumatic events over and over via flashbacks, nightmares, and fright-inducing thoughts), the researchers noted.

An estimated 20 percent of the 1.7 million men and women who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD, they said. Previous research has shown that veterans with PTSD have a risk of suicide, and that more soldiers committed suicide than died as a result of combat in Afghanistan in 2012.

The study was supported by a US Department of Defense grant. In addition to the NYU School of Medicine, experts from the University of California at San Francisco, the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and the Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco contributed to the research.


Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports - Your Universe Online

What is Yoga?

YOGA is an extremely complex spiritual tradition, having a history older than five thousand years. YOGA is an extremely complex spiritual tradition, having a history older than five thousand years. It possesses a very rich and extensive literature. It Possesses a very rich and EXTENSIVE literature. YOGA is what we traditionally call "the knowledge of liberation". YOGA is what we traditionally call "the knowledge of liberation". We all seek, consciously or not, to rise above the limited notion of what we are. We all seek, consciously or not, to rise above the limited notion of what we are. More exactly, we seek to rise above what we usually think we are. More exactly, we seek to rise above what we usually think we are. Generally, we identify ourselves with our body, our mind, with our possessions or relationships, bringing all this together in what we normally call "my life". Generally, we identify identity ourselves With our body, our mind, With our possessions or relationships, bringing all this together in what we normally call "my life". These mental habits do not contain anything but shadows of the truth inside ourselves, and they bury us more deeply in ignorance. These habits do not mind Contain anything but shadows of the truth inside ourselves, And They bury us more deeply in ignorance.

YOGA offers a path for deep introspection with the goal as Truth. YOGA offers a path for deep introspection With The goal as Truth. We all desire to know ourselves, at least to some extent, but is this not an illusion? We all desire to know ourselves, At least to some Extent, but is this not an illusion? If we knew at least 50% of ourselves, do you think we would suffer due to work and family problems? If we Knew At least 50% of ourselves, do you think we would suffer due to work and family problems? On the contrary, we would find out that we are immortal; we are superconscious and omnipotent beings; and we would find the source of eternal happiness. On the Contrary, we would find out That we are immortal, we are superconscious and omnipotent beings, and we would find the source of eternal happiness.

Genuine YOGA implies confrontation with the fascinating mysteries regarding the nature of our microcosmic self. Genuine IMPLIES YOGA With The fascinating mysteries confrontation Regarding the nature of our microcosmic self. It deals with the eternal questions: Why was I born? It deals With The eternal questions: Why was I born? Where do I come from? Where do I come from? What do I live for? What do I live for? What is going to happen to me after I die? What is going to happen to me after I die? Who am I actually?YOGA confers inner freedom and the understanding of the fact that everything is possible, though not all is allowed. Who am I actually? YOGA confers inner freedom and the understanding of the fact That everything is possible, though not all is allowed. Being liable to some unchangable laws, as human beings we all feel limited and impotent when faced with the difficulties of life. Being liable to some unchangable laws, as human beings we all feel limited and impotent When faced With The Difficulties of life. YOGA induces the power and energy to handle these challenges in life. YOGA you induce the power and energy to handle These challenges in life. Moreover, YOGA enables us to overcome the human condition and to reveal our divine nature, the Divine Self within ( Jivatman ). Moreover, YOGA Enables us to Overcome the human condition and to reveal our divine nature, the Divine Self within ( Jivatman ).

YOGA is a science of immortality. Yoga is a science of immortality. It contains the methods for becoming fully aware of the mysterious aspects of being human. It contains the methods for becoming fully aware of the mysterious aspects of being human. It allows for the employment of all the hidden potentialities within ourselves, for elimination of limitations due to ego, for deepening of self-knowledge; and reaching immortality. It Allows for the employment of all the hidden potentialities Within ourselves, for elimination of limitations due to ego, for Deepening of self-knowledge, and reaching immortality.
YOGA aims to gain direct, immediate knowledge of ultimate truth regarding man, existence, and the Universe. YOGA AIMS to gain direct, immediate knowledge of ultimate truth Regarding man, existence, and the Universe.

YOGA leads to bliss ( Samadhi ). YOGA leads to bliss ( Samadhi ). Although this word exists and is common in every language, the word ''samadhi'' denotes a state accessible to only a small number of people. Although this word exists and is common in every language, the word'' samadhi'' Denotes a state accessible to only a small number of people. Experiencing this bliss means to be in full resonance with the beneficial energies of the Universe. Experiencing This Bliss means to be in full resonance With The beneficial energies of the Universe. By reaching the state of samadhi or full bliss, the yogi gets confirmation of ''completion''. By reaching the state of samadhi or full bliss, the yogi gets confirmation of'' completion''. This is where the ineffable fusion occurs between man''s ultimate essence and the Supreme Macrocosmic Universal essence, God. This is where the ineffable fusion Occurs Between man'' s ultimate essence and the Supreme Universal Macrocosmic essence, God.

Usually known in the west in various popular "keep fit" varieties, yoga is in fact a rigorous spiritual discipline, a genuine science of the human being, a complete system controlling all aspects of life. Usually Known in the west in various popular "keep fit" varieties, yoga is in fact a spiritual Rigorous discipline, a genuine science of the human being, a complete system controlling all aspects of life. Beyond the obvious benefits like eliminating stress, healing various illnesses, improving memory and concentration, balancing our emotions, yoga is also about searching answers to existential questions which have been in peoples mind since time began: "For what reason was I born ?" Beyond the obvious benefits like Eliminating stress, healing various illnesses, Improving memory and concentration, balancing our emotions, yoga is searching acerca Also answers to existential questions Which Have Been in peoples mind since time began: "For what reason was I born?" "What is my life for?" "What is my life for?" "What will happen after death?", "Who am I ?". "What will happen after death?", "Who am I?". The original purpose of YOGA is therefore to teach us how to ask correctly and meaningfully the above mentioned questions and how to discover the ultimate truth about the human being, life and universe. The Original THEREFORE purpose of Yoga is to teach us how to ask Correctly and meaningfully the above Mentioned questions and how to discover the ultimate truth about the human being, life and universe.

The oldest systematic description of the YOGA system is to be found in the YOGA-SUTRA of Patanjali (2nd century bc). The oldest systematic description of the Yoga system is to be found in the Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali (2nd century bc). It is a very brief guide which was used together with secret teachings. It is a very brief guide Which was used together with Secret Teachings. This is the reason why for the one who never practiced yoga it is still a text shrouded in mystery. This is the reason why for the one who never practiced yoga a text it is still shrouded in mystery. However YOGA-SUTRA is still the most precise and scientific text ever written on YOGA. However YOGA-SUTRA is still the Most required and scientific text ever written on YOGA. It describes the eight stages in YOGA: It describe the eight stages in YOGA:

YAMA and NIYAMA - inner and outer attitudes, whose aim is to harmonize our interactions with the outer world and with ourselves YAMA and NIYAMA - inner and outer attitudes, Whose aim is to harmonize our interactions With The outer world and with ourselves
ASANA - motionless physical postures for balancing the body's subtle energies Asana - physical motionless postures for balancing the body's subtle energies
Pranayama - the accumulation of cosmic energy ( Prana ) through rhythmic breathing. Pranayama - the accumulation of cosmic energy ( Prana ) through rhythmic breathing.
PRATYAHARA - the withdrawal of the senses' energy from their objects, with the purpose of focusing it towards our inner universe. PRATYAHARA - the withdrawal of the senses' energy From their objects, With The purpose of focusing it towards our inner universe.
DHARANA - focusing the mind upon an unique object. Dharana - focusing the mind upon an object unique.
Dhyana - the unidirectional and continuous flow of mental processes around an object. Dhyana - the unidirectional and continuous flow of Mental Processes around an object.
SAMADHI - telepathic identification of the object of meditation with the practitioner's being. Samadhi - telepathic identification of the object of meditation With The practitioner's being. SAMADHI is the highest state of expanded consciousness and a complete participation of the human being to the Cosmic Life. Samadhi is the highest state of expanded consciousness and a complete participation of the human being to the Cosmic Life. SAMADHI is the ultimate goal in YOGA, leading eventually to the state of spiritual enlightenment and total wisdom. Samadhi is the ultimate goal in YOGA, Eventually leading to the state of spiritual enlightenment and all wisdom.
MUKTI or ultimate spiritual freedom, does not mean deliverance from the manifested world, but a close and permanent identity with the Supreme Consciousness, which is the true nature of one's own self. Mukti or ultimate spiritual freedom, does not mean deliverance from the Manifested world, but a close and permanent identity With The Supreme Consciousness, que is the true nature of one's own self. Ultimate freedom is therefore possible only by realizing one's own identity with the Universe. THEREFORE Ultimate freedom is possible only by one's own identity Realizing With The Universe.

This ultimate spiritual state is NOT to be attained after death or in another dimension of Reality, but HERE and NOW - "Only liberation in this life (JIVANMUKTI) is authentic libe ration" SPANDA PRADIPIKA. This is NOT ultimate spiritual state to be attained after death or in another dimension of Reality, but HERE and NOW - "Only liberation in this life (Jivanmukti) ration is authentic release" SPANDA PRADIPIKA.



Original Spanish text:
What is Yoga?

An Excellent Article This Morning May 2nd

The Tragedy of PTSD:
It afflicts vets and others, but help is available

People who are diagnosed with PTSD, or even those who have some but not all of the symptoms, can have huge problems maintaining relationships with family or friends. They may not sleep well. They often turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the worst effects.

Jessica Hamblen is the deputy director for education at the Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD and a clinical psychologist. She emphasizes that although having some of the effects of PTSD are common for just about everybody who has been through trauma, the clinical diagnosis depends on four criteria:

• The victim has persistent, unwanted recollections or reminders of the trauma.

• The victim seeks to numb or avoid thoughts, recollections, places and people that may remind him of the trauma. That can include disengaging from family and friends.

• A person with PTSD will have problems with hyper-arousal, which can include brutal insomnia, “hyper-vigilence,” a quickness to anger and an exaggerated startle response.

• The victim’s symptoms last longer than a month and have a significant impact on his or her quality of life.

“About 50 percent of men and 60 percent of women experience a traumatic event in their lifetime,” Hamblen says. “Most people experience some symptoms, and most of them are resolved. A small portion develop PTSD.”

She says that if you have symptoms that aren’t resolved after three months, get some assistance. There is good news in a couple of ways for people who have those symptoms. The stigma once associated with PTSD or combat fatigue — and with seeking help for those symptoms — has largely evaporated, as modern medicine has come to understand the very real neurological and emotional toll that trauma takes on people.

The other good news is that, for those who sign onto and complete treatment programs, whether through the VA system or privately, the improvement rate is close to 100 percent.

But not everyone signs onto those treatment programs or takes their symptoms seriously. “Some people do very well,” despite what would be a diagnosis of full-blown PTSD, Hamblen says. “They sort of white-knuckle it. They force themselves to do things.

“For others, it really is too severe to continue,” she says. Work, everyday activities and social interaction are so compromised that they cannot function.

Abbinett followed up his Vietnam service with two decades in the Army Reserve and National Guard. He says that in his experience, most of those who have spent time in combat have PTSD issues.

“Not everybody gets affected,” he says. “Those who don’t directly participate in combat, such as support troops, many of them don’t have any PTSD at all. When it comes to combat troops, the argument is that if you participated in combat and killed another human being, unless you’re a total sociopath, you’re going to be affected. … Everyone is susceptible. The vast majority [of soldiers] are affected by PTSD if they’ve been in combat.”


“People who haven’t experienced trauma are becoming rare,” he says. “We’ve never had a generation of veterans do this much time in combat.”

Hamblen says that some of the newest research shows that 2 percent of all men and 4 percent of all women in America have PTSD. The number of those who will meet the clinical standard for the disorder some time in their lives is about double that.

And for those returning from combat tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, the percentage is 12-15 percent, she says.

Fortunately, there are resources available to support those returning veterans. Dr. Andrew DiSavino, a psychologist, is the PTSD program director for the Las Vegas Veterans Affairs Department. He says treatment for veterans with PTSD symptoms usually includes two primary parts: individualized treatment and group therapy.

Psychotropic medications such as anti-depressants are often used, but an essential element of modern treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy, in which patients are taught to guide their own coping strategies.

“Many of the treatment principles apply regardless of the specific trauma,” he says. “Even for people whose trauma is not related to combat, the symptoms are very similar to each other.” Failure to take trauma’s impacts seriously can be devastating, he warns. For those with significant trauma, “it affects every part of their lives, often in a negative way.”

Even those with lesser impacts “don’t have to put up” with symptoms that are degrading the quality of their lives, says DiSavino, who has been treating people with PTSD-related symptoms for 23 years. His work included treating crime victims who have suffered violent or sexual assaults.

What people should not expect is a rapid and total cure.

“A lot of people come in asking, ‘How long before I’m cured?’” he says. “That’s not realistic. The goal is to become in expert in symptom-management.”

Abused Children May Get Unique Form of PTSD
By Maia Szalavitz
April 30, 2013

Child abuse scars not just the brain and body, but, according to the latest research, but may leave its mark on genes as well.

The research, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that abused children who develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may experience a biologically distinct form of the disorder from PTSD caused by other types of trauma later in life.

“The main aim of our study was to address the question of whether patients with same clinical diagnosis but different early environments have the same underlying biology,” says Divya Mehta, corresponding author of the study and a postdoctoral student at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich, Germany.  

To find out, Mehta’s team studied blood cells from 169 people in Atlanta who were participating in the Grady Trauma Project.  Most were in their late 30s to mid 40s and were African American; some had been abused as children but all had suffered at least two other significant traumatic events, such as being held at gun- or knife point, having a major car accident or being raped. On average, the participants experienced seven major traumas. Despite these events, however, the majority were resilient: 108 participants never developed PTSD.

Among the 61 that did, 32 had been abused as children and 29 had not.  The authors examined their blood cells, looking for genetic changes that distinguished people with the disorder who had been abused from those who had not. To focus on changes associated with PTSD diagnosis rather than trauma exposure alone, they looked for differences not seen in the resilient group.

These genetic alterations are known as epigenetic changes: chemical differences that don’t mutate the DNA itself but affect how actively and efficiently the genes are made into proteins. By either silencing or activating genes, epigenetic changes can influence everything from brain development and functioning to the risk for certain diseases. While not necessarily permanent, some of these changes can last a lifetime and some can even be passed on to the next generation.

“In PTSD with a history of child abuse, we found a 12-fold higher [level] of epigenetic changes,” says Mehta.  In contrast, people who experienced trauma later in life showed genetic effects that tended to be short-lived, and did not permanently alter the function of the genes.

“It’s a very interesting paper,” says Moshe Szyf, professor of pharmacology and therapeutics at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, who studies epigenetics. “The important thing about this paper is that it looks at PTSD that has different life histories. One group has a life history of child abuse and the other doesn’t and we see a completely different functional genomic appearance.”

Understanding the different ways that people can develop PTSD could have implications for how the condition is treated. The epigenetic changes were mostly different between the two groups, even if both sets of aberrations ultimately resulted in PTSD, suggesting different ways to potential treat the PTSD depending on its origins.“This study implies that it is essential to take into account the trauma history of an individual,” says Mehta, “Individuals with the same diagnosis might need different treatments depending on their environmental endowments together with their genetic predispositions.”

Indeed, at least with depression, which is another condition with links to traumatic experiences, some studies found that a childhood history of maltreatment was associated with a reduced response to antidepressants and some other therapies.

“The question is, if indeed the problem is in the DNA, can we reverse this program and do we have tools to reverse that?” says Szyf. “I’m very interested in that and we’re doing some experiments in animal models.” The group is using drugs that can affect gene expression, such as some cancer treatments, for example, to figure out whether they can help to reverse harmful epigenetic changes like those leading to PSTD-like symptoms in animals.

Dr. Elisabeth Binder, the principal investigator of the current research and research group leader at the Max Planck Institute, says, “If individuals have been abused as children, they end up having psychiatric diseases that might be biologically different. The way you got to the disease is as important as the disease itself.”

Still, since the researchers compared child abuse to other types of trauma that typically occurred when participants were in their early 20s, Mehta says it’s impossible to say whether it was simply the early timing of the child abuse or something unique to being mistreated by caregivers that accounted for the different pattern of changes she and her colleagues found. Other research showed both that early trauma is particularly significant and that child abuse can have an especially pernicious effect on the developing brain, but it’s hard to disentangle them. In addition, it’s possible that early trauma and the damage associated with it work synergistically in contributing to the response to trauma. For example, studies on Romanian orphans show that the longer an infant is kept in an abusive and neglectful setting, the greater the damage to IQ and the higher the risk of psychiatric problems.

Whether these genetic markers can reliably be related to childhood trauma and then used to help guide treatment, isn’t clear yet. But the results suggest that such refined strategies might at least be possible. Depending on the patient’s experience, for example, trauma linked to childhood abuse may respond better to certain drugs acting on one pathway, while adult-onset trauma, such as being a victim of rape, might require targeting a different set of genes or proteins.  The more we understand how trauma does harm, the better able we will be to reverse the damage or even actually prevent it from causing disease.



Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2013/04/30/abused-children-may-get-different-form-of-ptsd/#ixzz2RzFxUEPh