TIP Your Temperature

A fast-acting technique for reducing distress

This technique activates the human dive reflex to reduce our physiological distress by emulating diving into cold water. It uses an in-built mechanism of slowing down our heart rate to reduce oxygen consumption. We can hack this reflex to stop a panic attack in its tracks by submerging our face in cold water or applying an ice pack across our sinuses and holding our breath with our head between our knees. That calms our distress down, fast.

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PTSD: take back control of anger and terror

By Al Griskaitis • January 5, 2025

Using the Mammalian Dive Reflex to as a tactic to stop anger and overwhelm in it's tracks

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By Al Griskaitis • November 23, 2024

Getting properly squared away with DVA

We explain the biology of rage, panic and distress: the fight/flight response

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By Al Griskaitis • November 8, 2024

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By Al Griskaitis • October 30, 2024

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By Al Griskaitis • August 28, 2024

Stubbornness can keep traumatised people stuck

Anger: the Family-Destroying Demon of PTSD

By Al Griskaitis • August 17, 2024

PTSD causes emotional fatigue so anger can easily come out. It's like being possessed by a family-wrecking demon. Marriages often can bear the anger from a spouse with PTSD. Whether it's the husband or the wife that is affected by PTSD, they both suffer.

Moral injury and the gnashing of teeth
PTSD and Bruxism

Bruxism and PTSD: The Teeth Keep the Score

By Al Griskaitis • June 29, 2024

How PTSD Can Lead to Bruxism and Dental Issues: The Teeth Keep the Score By Dr Al Griskaitis, Psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk noted in PTSD that "The body keeps the score". Bruxism is a literal example of that. What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth. It can occur during waking hours (awake bruxism) or during sleep (sleep bruxism). Common signs include worn-down biting surfaces of teeth, erosion of teeth at the gumline (abfraction), jaw pain, headaches, and increased tooth sensitivity. While bruxism is often associated with transient stress, its common connection to PTSD highlights a bodily impact of feeling endangered. Bruxism likely relates to this chronic state of increased arousal from PTSD which can be further exacerbated by alcohol and some medications. What is PTSD? I posit that it is more than a reaction to trauma with a syndrome of symptoms, that's too low resolution. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs when a very serious adversity leads to a "alarm

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It is our aim to offer actionable resources and teach real skills to help people make meaningful change in managing mental health issues, especially for those who can’t access other help.