There was a time when Maya's* laughter filled a room, when she could make weekend plans with friends and get lost in the thrill of spontaneity. Now, even a visit to the grocery store is an ordeal. She holds the shopping cart so hard that her knuckles whiten, her heart pounding at every unexpected noise. The smell of the stranger's cologne, a trace that bears faint resemblance to what her abuser used to wear, grips her stomach, and instantly, she is no longer at a supermarket. She is once again at the dark place, suspended in a moment best forgotten.

"For years, I believed healing from PTSD involved leaving the past behind. What if your mind has other plans? In this unflinching memoir, I share the moments that broke me, the isolation that followed, and why 'getting over it' is never that easy," states Maya.

For most individuals such as Maya, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not merely recalling a traumatic experience—it's a replay, repeatedly, in ways that feel as real as the initial experience. The past never remains in the past; it seeps into the present, making ordinary life a battleground of hidden triggers.

When Healing Feels Like a Broken Road

PTSD is wrongly assumed to be something that can be "fixed" through therapy or medication, but for some, recovery isn't linear. Maya had been treated extensively, had attempted everything from cognitive behavior therapy to exposure therapy. She had good days—days where she came close to being herself again. But there were also bad days, the ones where she wondered if she had improved at all.

"I figured I was good," she admits. "Then, all of a sudden, I was strolling by where my accident occurred, and my legs just collapsed underneath me. I couldn't catch my breath, I couldn't think. It was as if my brain told my body I was back in that car, crashing again."

Maya remembers, "It's not about flashbacks or nightmares. It's the little, everyday things that nobody notices. I wake up and I don't feel like myself anymore—like my old self is dead, and I'm trapped in this body that doesn't belong to me. I don't like the things I used to like. Music, TV shows, even food—nothing is the same. Some days, I feel like I'm just going through the motions, and other days, I can't even get out of bed."

Residual symptoms of PTSD, those that linger long after treatment has ended, occur more frequently than most are aware. Studies have indicated that a majority of those treated for PTSD continue to live with "subthreshold" symptoms—serious enough to interfere with daily functioning yet not so acute as to warrant hospitalization. These can range from nightmares to spontaneous attacks of anxiety, feeling numb, to an all-pervasive feeling of unreality.

Perhaps the most alienating thing about PTSD is the unpredictability of its symptoms. Some days, Maya feels like she's functional, like she's finally gotten her life back. Other days, she lies on the ceiling for hours, unable to get up because her body is so tired from being in a state of hypervigilance all the time.

"I don't know who I am anymore," she confesses. "It's like my old self is dead, and I'm suspended in some purgatory, trying to understand who I am now."

The brain of someone with PTSD operates in a state of high alert. The amygdala, which processes fear and emotional responses, becomes hyperactive, making even minor stressors feel like major threats. Meanwhile, the hippocampus, responsible for distinguishing between past and present events, struggles to function properly, blurring the lines between memory and reality. The result? A relentless cycle of fear, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

The Weight of Isolation

PTSD not only touches the individual struggling—it puts a strain on relationships, friendships, and even work. Maya was once the life of the party, but now she doesn't go out because loud noises and crowds overwhelm her. She also feels distant from her boyfriend, not sure if she still loves him or if she's just not capable of loving anymore.

When you experience something traumatic, it's like everybody is like, 'Hey, you're gonna heal within a specific period,'" she says. "But trauma reorganizes your brain. It rearranges how you perceive the world, how you trust humans. And the crappy part? People flee. They don't get why you can't just 'move on.'

Maya continues, "And the worst part? The loneliness. People don't get what PTSD actually does to you. They say, "That was years ago, you should be over it by now," like I have any say in how my brain responds. Even the people I love most—my boyfriend, my friends—I feel separated from them. It's like there's a glass wall between me and the rest of the world."

Most with PTSD resort to medication or alcohol as a means to cope, hoping to quiet the cacophony in their minds. Others go into complete withdrawal, thinking no one could possibly get it and that they will be safer, alone. The reality is that trauma rewires the brain so that emotions are processed differently, and connection and intimacy become foreign—even threatening.

Learning to Live with PTSD

Healing from PTSD isn't about being cured of the symptoms—it's about learning to live with them. Maya is painstakingly discovering how to deal with the lingering effects of her trauma, even on the worst days.

She has learned to recognize her triggers and develop coping mechanisms, whether that means stepping outside for fresh air, practicing grounding techniques, or simply allowing herself to feel the waves of emotion without judgment. Support groups have helped her connect with others who understand what she’s going through, reminding her that she isn’t alone in this battle.

I used to think healing was being able to return to who I was before," she says. "Now I understand healing is embracing who I am today, trauma and all.

On questioning whether she had ever attempted explaining her symptoms and triggers to her friends and loved one's Maya says, "Too many times. And it always ends the same way. I tell them I have panic attacks while shopping, that I can't handle loud noises, that certain smells make me want to throw up. And they just look at me and say, "But you're fine now, right?" Or worse, they compare their experiences to mine—"I went through something way worse, and I got over it." I don't think people realize how invalidating that is. Trauma isn't a competition."

PTSD is not merely something that occurred in the past—it is something that continues to happen and influence daily life in both visible and invisible ways. Some wounds may heal with time, but others leave scars that remain hidden under the surface. But with the proper support, resources, and knowledge, those scars don't have to determine the future.

Maya concludes, "I won’t lie—some days, nothing helps. But I’ve learned to take it one step at a time. Medication helps when my anxiety is unbearable. Therapy has helped me unpack a lot of the guilt and self-blame. And I’m learning to set boundaries, to walk away from people who make me feel like my pain is a burden."

"But the biggest thing? Accepting that healing isn’t linear. I used to think I was failing if I had setbacks, but I’ve realized that this is just part of the process. Some days, I feel like I’m making progress. Other days, I feel like I’m back at square one. And that’s okay."

"For anyone going through this, I just want to say—you are not alone. PTSD is messy, it’s painful, and it’s exhausting. But you are still here. And that counts for something," quotes Maya.

*name changed for anonymity reasons

Mental health is a complex system, even though researchers have been looking at different aspects of it, there is a lot more we need to learn. For many, mental health problems lack physical symptoms, which leads them to dismiss mental health concerns as real issues. Many people believe that mental health issues can be cured if people think in a certain type of way or avoid doing certain things. However, it is not that simple.

However, thinking that mental health issues do not manifest in physical symptoms is wrong. According to the Mental Health Foundation, mental health and physical health are two-way streets. Physical health problems can greatly increase your risk of developing mental health problems, and mental health challenges can, in turn, affect your physical well-being.

Physical Effects of Suffering Mental Health

Research clearly shows that individuals dealing with mental health issues are more prone to developing preventable physical conditions, such as heart disease. Beyond that, mental health problems frequently come with noticeable physical symptoms. Since our bodies and minds aren't separate entities, it's not surprising that mental ill-health can manifest physically. For instance, people can have symptoms like

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Digestive problems.
• Anxiety often leads to an upset stomach.
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• difficulty concentrating.

These symptoms underscore that what's happening in your mind can have a very real impact on your health.

How Our Minds Affect Our Bodies

According to a 2023 study published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry, it's common for people to experience both mental and physical health problems at the same time. However, in many medical settings, doctors don't fully understand just how much our mental well-being can impact our physical body. People with diagnosed mental illnesses, in particular, face a higher risk of developing long-term physical health issues. They're often at a disadvantage because our healthcare system tends to treat the mind and body as completely separate.

Three Key Areas Affected Due To Mental Health

To learn more about this connection, researchers closely examined 30 in-depth interviews. These interviews were conducted with individuals who had serious mental illnesses or with their family members. The researchers specifically selected participants who had significant experiences with both physical and mental health symptoms occurring at the same time.

The study revealed common physical health challenges for people with mental illness, highlighting that mental and physical symptoms influence each other in both directions. We identified three main themes:

How Mental States Show Up Physically

Participants talked about how their bodies physically reacted to their mental states, like stress causing stomach aches or anxiety leading to headaches.

Challenges Getting Medical Care

They shared difficult experiences trying to get treatment for their physical symptoms while also dealing with a mental health condition. Sometimes, doctors might focus only on the mental health aspect, missing the physical problem.

Confusing Healthcare System

Participants spoke about the difficulties of navigating a healthcare system where mental and physical health services aren't well-coordinated, making it hard to get comprehensive care.

Why Do Mental Health Struggles Manifest Physically?

The Mental Health Foundation explains that people who have mental health issues often also have preventable physical health problems like heart problems.

Shared Genetic Risk: The genes making you prone to mental health issues might also increase your risk for certain physical conditions.

Low Energy & Motivation: Mental health problems or medications can drain your energy, making self-care difficult.

Difficulty with Appointments: Impaired concentration or planning due to mental health can make it hard to arrange or attend medical visits.

Lack of Lifestyle Support: Healthcare providers may wrongly assume you can't make healthy changes, withholding support for things like quitting smoking or drinking.

Delayed Medical Help: Your physical symptoms might be misattributed to your mental illness, leading to less investigation and fewer routine checks that could catch physical issues earlier.

When we hear about blood pressure, it's often in the context of hypertension — the "silent killer" that increases long-term risk for heart attacks and strokes. But there’s another side to the story that can be just as dangerous, if not more immediately deadly. Blood pressure is more than just a pair of numbers on your doctor’s chart—it’s a vital sign of how well your heart and blood vessels are delivering life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients to every organ in your body.

While most people are familiar with the risks of high blood pressure, the dangers of a sudden drop in blood pressure, or acute hypotension, are often underestimated and sometimes misunderstood but can such a drop be fatal? A sudden drop in blood pressure, known as acute hypotension. While occasional dizziness or lightheadedness may seem harmless, in some cases, a rapid decline in blood pressure can trigger a chain reaction that may ultimately result in organ failure or even death.

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What Happens When Blood Pressure Plummets?

Blood pressure is measured as two numbers: systolic (the pressure as your heart beats) and diastolic (the pressure as your heart rests between beats). According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a normal reading for healthy adults is under 120/80 mmHg. When blood pressure falls below 90/60 mmHg, it’s considered low, or hypotension.

A sudden decrease—even a drop of just 20 mmHg in systolic pressure—can cause symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and fainting. More severe drops can be catastrophic, as Dr. S.S. Sibia, Cardiologist & Director at Sibia Medical Center Ludhiana, explains, "A sudden loss of blood pressure, or acute hypotension, can actually lead to death. Blood pressure helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to vital organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys. If BP suddenly falls, the body may not be in a state to maintain regular blood flow, leading to severe complications."

What Causes The Blood Pressure To Drop Suddenly?

There are several causes of acute hypotension, and they often intersect. Here are the most common physiological triggers:

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Hypovolemia

A drop in blood volume due to bleeding, vomiting, or dehydration

Decreased cardiac output

When the heart fails to pump enough blood, often due to a massive heart attack

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels in conditions like sepsis or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Hypotensive syndrome

A term used when multiple factors contribute to a sudden drop in blood pressure

Dr. Yogendra Singh Rajput, Associate Director of Cardiology at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, notes, "The most common cause of sudden drop in blood pressure is massive heart attack. Any massive heart attack of right side or a right coronary artery can lead to a sudden drop... ultimately the patient can die." He adds that internal bleeding — such as from a ruptured gastric ulcer — or extreme dehydration from vomiting or loose motions, are other serious culprits.

Symptoms of Sudden Low Blood Pressure

When blood pressure drops quickly, the body doesn't get enough oxygen, especially the brain. That’s why many of the early symptoms are neurologic in nature:

• Dizziness or fainting
• Confusion or disorientation
• Blurred vision
• Lightheadedness
• Heart palpitations
• Cold, clammy skin
• Headache
• Rapid breathing

These signs may appear suddenly, sometimes with no warning. In severe cases, the person may lose consciousness or go into shock, a life-threatening condition. "Warning symptoms include dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, fainting, and cold or sweaty skin," says Dr. Sibia. "Some may ignore these symptoms, assuming they are insignificant, but ignoring them can delay treatment and worsen outcomes."

"Acute hypotension is a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure that can be deadly if not treated right away," says Dr. Rahul Mehrotra, Chief - NIC & Clinical Cardiology, Artemis Hospitals. "When BP gets too low, these organs don't get enough blood, which can lead to organ failure and even death." Dr. Mehrotra highlights the top medical emergencies that often result in sudden hypotension:

• Major bleeding (from trauma or internal injuries)
• Heart attack
• Sepsis, a life-threatening infection
• Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction
• Severe dehydration

He further emphasizes that not all cases of low BP are dangerous. "When blood pressure is low but not too low, it usually isn't a big deal for healthy people. But a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure should never be ignored."

How Fast Can A Drop In Blood Pressure Turn Fatal?

The progression from a sudden drop in blood pressure to life-threatening complications can be rapid. When blood flow to vital organs is interrupted, shock can develop within minutes, leading to organ failure and, if untreated, death.

Dr. Yogendra explains, "Sometime a sudden drop in the blood pressure may be because of sudden loss of fluid inside the body like severe dehydration due to loose motions, due to excessive vomiting, due to excessive blood loss, due to internal organ injury or due to internal blood loss in the form of rupture of gastric ulcer. So there are many things which can cause drop in the blood pressure and ultimately patient may succumb to death."

When Is a Low Blood Pressure considered an Emergency?

While some people live with chronically low blood pressure without symptoms, a sudden and significant drop—especially with symptoms—should always be treated as a medical emergency. Dr. Mehrotra emphasizes, "You should never ignore a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure. IV fluids, medications, and emergency procedures are all examples of timely medical care that can save lives. In short, a sudden drop in blood pressure can be deadly if you don't get help. Being able to see the warning signs early can make a big difference."

While a slight drop in blood pressure can occur from something as benign as standing up too fast, a sudden and unexplained dip should not be taken lightly. Acute hypotension is not just about numbers on a monitor — it’s about how the body responds when critical systems are deprived of oxygen-rich blood.

As Dr. Rajput puts it bluntly, "Yes, a sudden drop in blood pressure can cause sudden death." While mild, brief episodes may cause only dizziness, a rapid and significant decline can be life-threatening, especially if it signals a heart attack, severe bleeding, sepsis, or anaphylaxis. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking immediate medical help can be the difference between recovery and tragedy.

Disclaimer: If you or someone around you experiences sudden and unexplained symptoms of low blood pressure, treat it as a true emergency. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment, or concerns about your health.

Somedays start with a sour mood, whether it is because you woke up in a bad state, your daily routine is disrupted or because you had an unpleasant interaction that day. These things are normal and so is being in a bad mood sometimes for no reason. But did you know, this bad mood can be triggered by your skin? A recent clinical study suggests that the bacteria living on our skin might actually play a part in how happy we feel and how stressed we get.

Research Finds Skin-Mood Connection

Dermatologists have found that having more of a specific skin bacterium, called Cutibacterium, is linked to better moods and less stress. This connection was clearest when scientists took skin samples from people's faces or underarms. Cutibacterium is a helpful germ that naturally lives on healthy human skin. It acts like a protector, keeping bad bacteria from growing too much.

How They Found the Link

The study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, involved 53 people. They provided skin samples from their face, scalp, forearm, and underarm. They also filled out surveys about their stress levels, how well they slept, and their general mood.

The researchers saw a clear pattern; higher levels of Cutibacterium were associated with improved mental well-being. They found that more Cutibacterium meant people reported significantly lower stress. The bacterium found in the underarms was also linked to both lower stress and better moods, including feeling happier and less tense.

How Your Brain And Skin Communicate

The researchers explain that our skin is a complex organ that consists of several nerves, immune cells, and even its own little "brain" system that can make and respond to chemicals like serotonin and dopamine which are linked to happiness. Through nerves, special chemicals, and immune cells, your skin can influence and be influenced by stress, inflammation, and even the tiny microbes (germs) living on your skin.

"Skin-Brain Axis" Theory

These findings support an idea called the "skin-brain axis." This theory suggests that our skin and our mental state can actually influence each other. Researchers explained that while we've known gut bacteria can affect our mood, the role of skin bacteria has been less understood until now.

However, this is not the only time researchers have explored this connection. In a 2025 study published in the Clinics in Dermatology, the researchers explain that our skin and brain "talk" to each other. This two-way communication can change the way skincare products work.

The researchers explained that this is a new field called neurocosmetics which is a combination of neurology, dermatology as well as mental health. The goal of neurocosmetics is to create skincare products that not only make your skin healthier but also make you feel better emotionally.

Neurocosmetics are a new kind of skincare product that you apply to your skin. These products are designed to work with your skin's nerve system to improve both your skin's health and your emotional well-being.

Unlike treatments for skin conditions that are caused by emotional problems (which is called psychodermatology), neurocosmetics take a more active approach. They aim to improve your mood, reduce skin reactions caused by stress, and create a better balance between your skin and your brain.

Beyond Just Skin Health

This exciting discovery could lead to new skincare products that benefit both our mental health and our skin health. Unilever, a company deeply invested in this research with over 30,000 skin microbiome samples and many related patents, believes these findings are a significant step forward.

The idea of neurocosmetics is growing. Scientists want to understand exactly how the skin and brain interact, including the role of the skin microbiome (all the tiny organisms living on your skin). They're also looking at how artificial intelligence (AI) can help create personalized skincare that responds to your emotional state.

This combination of brain science and skin science could lead to a new generation of smart skincare products that are proven to have a real impact on both your physical skin health and how you feel.