Resources on trauma, neurodivergence, mental health and therapies

Dr Millia Begum

UK-trained Consultant Psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience in mental health care, trauma therapy, and psychiatric treatment.
Throughout my career in the NHS (UK), I have supported individuals in inpatient and community mental health settings, prioritising a compassionate, patient-centred approach to mental health treatment.
I am licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA-UAE), registered with the General Medical Council (GMC-UK), and a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych, UK).
I specialise in General Adult Psychiatry and holistic mental health care.
I am an EMDR International Accredited Therapist & Consultant, an ex-Board member of the EMDR Association UK, and an ex-training facilitator, a Certified IFS Level 3 (officially trained) therapist, and practice Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Therapy.

PTSD: What is PTSD and How it can be helped?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that one experiences following a traumatic or painful experience/s. We get stuck in patterns of replaying and reliving old scenarios, feelings, behavioural, action and impulse tendencies. Learn more as PTSD can be hidden and masked through suppression, avoidance and even substance misuse and external distractions.

Complex Trauma: What to recover from this?

Trauma healing is a journey, not a destination, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all process. There are ups and downs, but the path often moves upward and forward. Growth and learning take place during sessions, between sessions, in connection with others, and in the relationship with one’s own inner self.

Attachment Trauma

Attachment trauma happens when early-life relationships are disrupted, shaping how we connect with others later on. These experiences can create strong, opposing dynamics between ourselves and those around us. Working through these early attachment wounds can bring more ease, calm, and help us engage with others from a less reactive place.

Complicated Grief: Is there hope?

Grief is a normal part of life. There are many reasons why grief can become complicated and how it manifests in our lives. Shock, horror from surrounding events, pain from unspoken words, unresolved conflicts that continue to cause pain, and the lack of space to safely express grief are some factors that can lead to complicated grief. Learn in this blog how these issues can be addressed.

ADHD Assessment

For most adults, an ADHD assessment is not usually considered unless there is a noticeable impact on work and relationships. ADHD is often misdiagnosed as Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Depression. Additionally, trauma-related issues and anxiety disorders can be mistaken for ADHD. ADHD remains an evolving condition, and clinicians are still gaining a better understanding of it. Learn more here about this neurodivergent condition. The information is not exhaustive, but it provides an outline of the condition.

Masking in ADHD

Masking is common in those with ADHD, But what does “masking” exactly mean. Does it influence diagnosis? What are the ways one masks their underlying neurodivergence? Does masking help? Is masking needed? How can we safely work without masking? Learn more.

ADHD in Women

Many women have internal biological systems that are more complex and interfere with dopamine levels. Hormones and neurochemicals influence our focus and attention. Pre-menstrual states, childbirth, and menopause alter our ways of focus, attention, and mental clarity. Learn more about ADHD and Women.

IFS and EMDR therapy for PTSD in Dubai – compassionate trauma healing with Dr Millia Begum

What is generational trauma?

Generational trauma is when several layers of burdens from the past held by our parents, their parents and so on have been passing it on. We call them legacy burdens or intergenerational transmission of trauma. Can we help to offload from them? Can we move past them? Learn more in this blog.

Dissociation: What does this really mean?

What does one mean by dissociation? Dissociation is a wide range of experiences that are not just avoiding something, but can intensely unconfortable, scary and trigger panic attacks for some. When someone experiences dissociation, it is often a signal that the nervous system is sensing some sort of a danger in either their internal or their external environment. Learn more about dissociation here.

Panic Attack? Where does this come from?

Understanding and learning that panic attack is not dangerous is one thing, really helpful. But also knowing that there are reasons for why panic attacks emerges in people- even if they do not know the triggers. Sudden panic attacks whether it is during the day or night time, both can reduce quality of life. Learn more about panic attack and how we can help?

Chronic pain: Can this be helped with psychological therapies?

Many people report that no matter how much of physiotherapy and medical interventions I have done, my pain in my back, shoulders or migraine seem to persist. Pain is complex with many aspects. But giving ease to pain may need to address the underlying reasons why the pain is attached to us or why we are attached to the pain or why we are disconnected from the pain. Learn more in this blog.

Body-Dysmorphic-Disorder

BDD is a condition where one begins to intensely focus on parts of their body and perceive these have been defective (despite the defects being minor or none). This affects both male and females. Shame, low self-worth and withdrawing from others can bring further distress to this already distressing condition. Learn more about BDD.

Trauma-related depression

Depression is a non-specific term and major depression is very specific. Here in this blog page, I explore the term depression that relates to unresolved trauma and how if we do not help in the right way, can turn into being treatment-resistant and attract even more medications erroneously. Accurate and precise assessment can help tailor the right management plan for depression.

Intersection of Complex Trauma and ADHD

Clinically, there is a significant overlap between complex trauma, early attachment shock symptoms and ADHD. Overlapping symptoms of hypervigilance, lack of focus, inattention, nervous system dysregulation, proscrastination, difficulties starting or maintaining friendships and many create confusions in diagnosis. Learn more as to how vital this is in assessment and diagnosis.

Functional Neurological Disorders

What is FND? Many trips to physicians, surgeons, neurologists, gastroenterologists, but there is no organic cause found? Functional Neurological Disorder or Medically Unexplained Symptoms are more common than they are thought to be. From unexplained seizures and unexplained sensory changes, there is no structural damage to the nervous system. Symptoms are real, and recovery is also possible. Learn more about FND here.

Olfactory Reference Syndrome

Believing that one smells badly when there is no evidence for it is at the root of Olfactory Reference Syndrome. This relates to Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It also has unique features not shared by either. The distressing condition of ORS causes secondary depression and thoughts of unworthiness. Learn more about this condition.

Grief Therapy

Grief is a normal part of life; any transition involves some level of grief and sadness, whether it is due to death, the loss of a treasured possession, or relocating to a new country. Grief from traumatic losses, whether intentional or forced, as well as unresolved or unspoken relationship issues, can lead to a sense of lack of closure or, worse, ongoing post-traumatic symptoms. Grief is not about ending or suppressing it, but about helping it process in ways that allow it to transform into something less painful.