Horses are part of Dede Beasley’s DNA. She has been riding since she was a little girl, joining a long line of equestrian experts in her family. Growing up, day-to-day life wasn’t always easy. As a child o f two erratic alcoholics, Dede struggled with eating disorders, alcoholism, abusive relationships and trauma through adolescence and young adulthood.
An Interview with Dede Beasley, Equine Therapist at The Ranch Read More »
By Meghan Vivo Thirty-five years ago, James Nihan, LADAC, NCAC-I, ASAT-C, kicked a drug habit that followed him through adolescence, and found the passion that has kept him strong throughout his recovery: music.
Rapid eye movement sleep may be just what the doctor orders for people with posttraumatic stress syndrome, according to a new study from the University of California at Berkeley. The problem is that the symptoms of posttraumatic stress syndrome include nightmares, insomnia, and other sleep disturbances – meaning that victims are often naturally deprived of
Dreaming or REM Sleep may be Key to helping Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome Read More »
We look forward to the holidays all year long, but why? For some, it’s family togetherness or a spiritual celebration, but for many the holidays are about eating, drinking, shopping and doing all things in excess. Somehow the more we eat, the emptier we feel.
6 Expert Tips for Avoiding Binge Eating Over the Holidays Read More »
Many people have the perception that eating disorders are for young, white adolescents. In recent years, however, experts have begun to understand the wide scope of eating disorders and the patients that are affected by them. Studies are beginning to provide evidence that both genders, all races and ethnicities and all ages are represented in
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” – Oscar Wilde, Irish writer and poet (1854-1900) When we are in recovery, whether we are literally coming back from lying in the gutter or just feel as if we’re climbing up from the pit of despair, we know what
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety disorder that occurs if you have experienced an event that is traumatic. PTSD may be set off by events such as domestic abuse, assault, terrorism, rape and war.
PTSD Linked to Long-Term Physical, Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms Read More »
“Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” – Margaret Runbeck, American author, teacher and humanitarian (1905-1956) Ask anyone the definition of happiness and we’ll get different answers. For some, defining happiness has more to do with how they feel at the moment, whether they got up feeling terrific or
The scene is all-too familiar for many American families. One family member gets blotto and ruins holiday get-togethers to such an extent that it spells humiliation for everyone concerned. Not the least of which are any children present who have to witness the intoxication of their parent or grandparent or other family member. Maybe this
Unhappy Holidays: Handling a Family Member Who Typically Gets Drunk Read More »
It is hard to estimate the number of military servicemen who have suffered from sexual trauma during active duty. Reliable statistics simply don’t exist. VA records show that one in every 100 male veterans treated by the VA reported being sexually traumatized by fellow servicemen during their military careers. Given that 18 million of the
