010: The Impact of Trauma with Dr. Andy Santanello

Welcome back to The Communicate & Connect Podcast! In today's compelling episode, your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, engages in a profound discussion on the impact of trauma with esteemed guest, Dr. Andy Santanello—a clinical psychologist and expert in PTSD. Together, they will dissect the nuances of trauma definitions from the DSM-5 and ICD-10, revealing how understanding these distinctions can aid in proper diagnosis and recovery. Dr. Santanello brings his extensive experience with the VA system and the Center for Deployment Psychology to shed light on the short-term and long-term symptoms of trauma, including intrusive memories, heightened alertness, and emotional numbing. We'll explore why some individuals naturally recover over time, while others might struggle with conditions like depression or PTSD. In addition, Dr. Santanello will walk us through effective, evidence-based trauma therapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR, offering hope and practical steps for those seeking help. We'll also delve into how trauma uniquely affects personal relationships, especially for military personnel and their families. Dr. Santanello will share insights on the challenges of emotional vulnerability and intimacy issues that trauma survivors often face. He'll provide valuable advice for spouses and family members on supporting their loved ones—including the critical importance of self-care. Listeners will find guidance on leveraging resources like the PTSD VA page and Vet Centers, as well as Dr. Santanello's professional contact for those in the Baltimore area. This episode promises to be both enlightening and supportive, whether you're directly affected by trauma or seeking ways to better understand and support someone who is. Stay tuned for an in-depth exploration of trauma and recovery, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to continue receiving valuable content. Let's dive into this essential conversation and learn how to better communicate and connect through the complexities of trauma. Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here.    Free Relationship Pattern Assessment Are you having the same conversation over and over? Many couples assume they have a communication problem when they're actually stuck in a relationship pattern that keeps creating the same conflict. Take the free Relationship Pattern Assessment to identify the pattern that may be keeping you disconnected and learn what to focus on next. 👉 https://pages.communicateandconnect.com/relationship-quiz