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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2016)
♦ S tre e t R o o ts • April 15-21, 2046 HEADS, from page 12 altered. There is a study showing tfraf people with PTSD have, changes in DNA methylation. When the DNA is copied-, the sequence remains methylated. That can be passed 'down (through generations), which is really disturbing. ♦ Page 13 News button issue recently, a n d it seems to be dom inating Public discourse about PTSD. Do you think it is productive ^ u n d e rs ta n d in g P T SD and reducing stigma around the issue? L.S.: The research shows that trigger warnings are not really effective. Some things will be triggering or not be triggering. Warning people is not going to stop it from being triggering. People who have been through good therapy have a better A.W.: Why do you say that? understanding, and know how to deal with their L.S.: (Those genetic) changes would be passed triggers. There are strategies that people can use down to children, who would be much more likely to help them overcome the anxiety. There are so to have personality changes that lend themselves m any things to overcome. It takes a lot of time to toward PTSD-like behaviors, such as heightened ’ heal., amdety and depression. ,. If people aren’t seeking therapy and if they’re There is a, study showing, that children of‘ constantly protecting themselves, they’re going to Holocaust survivors all had anxiety and other contìnue to g et worse, not better. One of the types ofdisorders and a high level of evidence that therapies for PTSD is exposure therapy. There something is being passed down. It’s remarkable are other therapies, too. that this can be passed down. Through how many j I do think there is a large proportion of people generations? We don’t know. Other parents may - . who don’t understand what PTSD is. In the old .not have methylation changes. You would get a days, we didn’t know, and people did drop out of correction, but it may take a generation. society. There were people who could have had productive lives and careers and did not do that A.W.: The concept o f trigger warnings, especially because they made choices that sheltered them in the context o f school, has really become a hot from what they were experiencing. A.W.: Do you think that post-traumatic stress disorder is a public health problem? You seem to be . suggesting that. L.S.: ft is. We have so many children and adulte who are experiencing traumatic events in their lives that are going untreated or not getting properly treated.;The reàuît is w e’re going to have a huge population dealing with huge problems. It will cost society - there is the financial cost of having to do long-term therapy for people, and a cost for people who could otherwise be productive members of society who will have trouble getting on with their lives. There sre people who outwardly mask their behavior to get on with it. They’re still left with the nightmares, the anxiety, and all the things that will make their life very difficult going forward, including developing depression and anxiety disorders. That’s something they’re living with their whole life. It’s always with them at some level. That’s a battle. PHC N orthwest BeyondLimitations’’ 5312 NE 148th Ave. Portland, OR 97230 Free career training for persons with disabilities in janitorial and building maintenance Requirements: • # ; • Documented proof of disability Proficiency in understanding and speaking ....... e JH . * .*• • * & 9lish Pass criminal background check • \ • Disabilities: Questions ? Go to streetroots.org for the quiz results from candidates in Portland’s mayoral race! Passdmgtest Physical, mental health, intellectual, developmental, and learning Please Call: (303) 261-1266 or (800) 874-7917 email: ca reers@phcnw.com
