ERC & Pathlight In the News

Media Coverage
WVON

Easing Back to School Anxiety

Dr. Ellen Astrachan-Fletcher was a featured guest on WVON radio for a segment about easing student back to school anxiety.
Media Coverage
Giddy

What Is the Freeze Response to Trauma?

In this piece, Dr. Ellen Astrachan-Fletcher shares insight about the "freeze" response to trauma with Giddy reporter Kate Daniel. The article explores the involuntary response to trauma and how it affects the body, symptoms, how it compares to a fight-or-flight response, and how to overcome it.
Media Coverage
Well + Good

Falling in Love Can Feel Scary—Blame Your Fight-or-Flight Response

In this Well+Good article, Dr. Allison Chase outlines how the emotional feeling of falling in love can elicit the same warning response from your nervous system as a "fight or flight" response. In the article, she discusses how the body responds physically and notes, “We still have the same basic body and biological functions we had 10,000 years ago. Some people's autonomic nervous system falsely activates when they are not in real danger, and they end up experiencing all the same physiological symptoms as if they were.”
Media Coverage
Health

Sour Candy for Anxiety Isn't Just a TikTok Trend, Experts Explain How It Really Works

In this Health.com article, Dr. Toya Roberson-Moore shares insight about a new TikTok trend and explains how sour candy can help relieve anxiety. The trend claims consuming sour candy can help pause an anxiety or panic attack by distracting the brain due to the intense taste. Dr. Roberson-Moore shares how the brain reacts and how this can actually help as a short-term distraction, but notes, "Shifting your attention to one of the five senses is most effective when coupled with learning and practicing skills to identify when danger is not real and anxiety is not needed."
Media Coverage
KXAN Austin

Doctor warns social media can have lasting consequences for teen girls

In this piece, Dr. Allison Chase talks with KXAN Austin about a recent CDC study which shows teen girls are experiencing record high levels of sadness. Dr. Chase discusses how social media affects mental health and offers parents tips for monitoring social media use.