How to Heal From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Dr. Victor Carrión

About this video

Huberman hosts Dr. Victor Carrión, a Stanford professor of psychiatry and director of the Stanford Early Life Stress and Resilience Program, to discuss post-traumatic stress disorder, especially in children and adolescents. Dr. Carrión explains the psychological and neurobiological underpinnings of PTSD and distinguishes anxiety, stress, and trauma. A central focus is cue-centered therapy, developed by Dr. Carrión and colleagues, which Huberman describes as shown to offset triggering by words, events, or memories in both children and adults. In the slices, Dr. Carrión explains that positive thoughts are not automatic like negative, threat-based thoughts, so they must be practiced, likening learning them to learning guitar with lessons and practice. He describes patients building a toolbox of tools such as practiced positive thoughts, deep breathing, mindfulness, and muscle relaxation, and choosing their own cues and tools, which he frames as empowerment.

Key takeaways

• Dr. Carrión distinguishes anxiety, stress, and trauma to clarify what PTSD is and is not.
• Huberman describes cue-centered therapy as developed to reduce triggering by words, events, or memories.
• Dr. Carrión argues that positive thoughts must be practiced because negative threat thoughts are more automatic.
• Dr. Carrión describes a toolbox approach including breathing, mindfulness, and muscle relaxation that patients help choose.
• Dr. Carrión emphasizes social support and practiced internal dialogue in calming the stress response.

Episode details: published September 23, 2024 · 296.4K views · 2:26:59 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

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