How to Cope with PTSD
Oct 27, 2022
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If you have PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, living a normal life can feel very overwhelming and, in some cases, almost impossible.However, there are lots of different coping strategies that you can adopt to make living with PTSD more manageable.
From how to cope with flashbacks to getting to know your triggers, read on to discover the top tried and tested ways to cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which promise to transform your life and the lives of your close family and friends.
How to Cope with Flashbacks
Flashbacks are a common occurrence in people with PTSD and can be extremely hard to deal with. Fortunately, there are lots of techniques that you can take advantage of to help you cope with distressing flashbacks.
- Focus on your breathing
- Look or touch a comforting object
- Remind yourself that you are safe now
- Listen to soothing music or stroke a pet
- Keep a diary so that you can identify triggers that cause your flashbacks
- Practice self-care techniques for people with PTSD
How to Identify Your Triggers
If you experience a lot of flashbacks which are preventing you from leading a normal life, then it can be incredibly useful to identify what triggers these episodes, so that you can take steps to reduce them.
When it comes to trauma triggers, these can be people, situations, or experiences and are often caused by specific smells, sounds, or places.
You may also find life more difficult to deal with on certain dates such as the anniversary of the traumatic event.
How to Manage PTSD
Open Up to Others
If you suffer from PTSD, you may find it very hard to talk to other people about your experiences, but this is a crucial part of the healing process. Try opening up to family and friends about how you feel, or you could reach out to your local doctor.
Be Patient with Yourself
Getting over trauma can be a lengthy process, so don’t beat yourself up if you have a few bad days or even weeks. Be patient in your recovery and remember that everyone heals at their own pace so don’t compare yourself to others.
Try Peer Support
Some people with PTSD find it helpful to speak to other people who have gone through similar experiences. For example, first responders can reach out to other people who work within these challenging professions and share common experiences.
You can find peer support forums online or you could choose to enter a mental health treatment program specifically aimed at treating PTSD.
Focus on Your Physical Health
Although PTSD is a mental health disorder, if you want to help your mind, you need to also look after your body. Make sure that you eat a healthy and balanced diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables and that you make sure you are getting some form of physical activity every day.
It is also vital that you get enough sleep as a lack of sleep can make the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder worse.
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