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Chronic Pain, Anger, and PTSD: Are They Linked?

Are chronic pain, anger, and PSTD linked? Find out how to break the cycle of frustration.

Sheila A.M. Rauch, PhD, ABPP

Professional headshot of Dr. Sheila Rauch smiling at the camera, wearing glasses in a royal blue top
Deputy Director of Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP)
Topics:
Anger and Irritability, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Symptoms

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Ask the Expert - Brian Klassen, PhD: Finding the Right Therapist Can Be Crucial for Treating PTSD

What Should Couples Expect from Counseling After a Brain Injury?

I keep hearing that I need cognitive behavioral therapy—talk therapy— to treat my symptoms of PTSD like hyper-arousal, depression, avoiding life, and being irritable all the time with my friends and family. Frankly, I don’t want to talk to someone for weeks and months. My wife keeps pressuring me, but the thought of therapy makes me feel weaker than I already am. Why do I feel this way? I’m not sure what to do. Dr. Klassen answers your questions about mental health treatment.

Ask the Expert - Brian Klassen, PhD: What Are the Top Reasons People in the Military Develop PTSD?

What are the primary reason veterans and service members develop PTSD? Dr. Klassen, an expert on mental health issues and treatment, says that, to date, there is no one concrete formula outlining the primary reasons why people develop PTSD, and there may never be. PTSD is a complex condition and affects each person differently based on many factors such as an individual’s genetics, early-life experiences, traumas in combat, culture, and coping mechanisms among others.

Ask the Expert, Brian Klassen, PhD: Is There a Military/Civilian Gap and How Can We Bridge This Gap?

Is there still a military/civilian gap, and why does it seem to get bigger? What can we do about it? Dr. Klassen, an expert on mental health issues and treatment, talks about the fact that unlike generations ago when far more people—from all walks of life—served in the military, it being a sort of rite of passage with a shared mission, fewer people in the general population serve today. This divide can lead to a sense of isolation and not feeling understood or respected in the military communities. That said, there are currently more and more organizations focusing on bridging the military/civilian gap.

Ask the Expert, Brian Klassen, PhD: How Do I Handle the Weight of My Experiences from War?

The weight of my experiences from what I saw and did in Afghanistan is sometimes too much to bear. People keep telling me to talk or journal about it. But what if I start sharing—even on paper—and it gets worse? The thought terrifies me. I know I need to deal with my PTSD but don’t know how. What do you suggest? Dr. Klassen answers your questions about mental health treatment.

Ask the Expert, Brian Klassen, PhD: How Do I Respond to "Thank You for Your Service"?

Whether they genuinely mean it or not, I don’t know how to respond when people say, “Thank you for your service,” Sometimes I want to cry, other times I want to shout in their face—you have no idea what I have gone through! My girlfriend thinks I’m crazy. Why do I feel this way? Dr. Klassen answers your questions about mental health treatment.

Ask the Expert, Brian Klassen, PhD: My Spouse Suffers from PTSD. What Can I Do?

What is the Difference Between Depression and Situational Sadness?

My wife was a medic in Afghanistan and is suffering from PTSD, including debilitating nightmares. She does not want to share her experiences with me. She needs therapy but had an unsuccessful experience with at the VA, and other therapists have long waiting lists. I’m not sure how much longer she can hold on. How can I help her? In this video, Dr. Klassen, an expert on mental health issues and treatment, shares a list of resources for mental health therapy and discusses the challenges of moral injury.

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