How to Overcome PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often thought to be a condition that affects only combat veterans; however, it is a common affliction that can affect anyone who has experienced trauma in their life. Any event that leaves a person feeling out of control or helpless, such as a death, serious injury, sexual assault, natural disaster, fire or a plane crash, can trigger PTSD. People who suffer from PTSD often experience extreme nightmares, flashbacks and serious emotional and physical reactions to sights, sounds and events that trigger memories associated with the traumatic event. In addition, PTSD sufferers may experience feelings of sadness, detachment, irritability, anger, guilt and lack of self control. These symptoms can manifest themselves physically as well and cause headache and stomach problems.

Instructions

• 1

  See a therapist. Talk to a professional about the feelings you are experiencing. Professional psychologists may offer options such as behavioral therapy that focuses on the trauma, which enables desensitization through gradual exposure to similar events. Professional therapists might also offer eye movement desensitization processing (EMDR) to help the brain change the way it processes the traumatic information.

• 2

  Talk to friends about your experiences. Although some things might be difficult to express to those who have not been through the same trauma, it is helpful to vent to people who can listen. If you bottle up the pain or frustration you are feeling, these feelings are likely to become stronger and more deeply embedded in your psyche. They may also begin to manifest physically as depression and illness.

• 3

  Keep a journal. Write your feelings down on paper. When you have a nightmare, wake up and write your dream down to give it more clarity. It is much easier to look at your thoughts and dreams objectively with the distance of time. Go back through your journal and read your writings when you are feeling less stressed.

• 4

  Join a support group. There are groups for almost every problem: combat related stress, death, rape, robbery, pet loss, natural disasters. Sometimes when you are feeling alone, it is helpful to know that others have experienced the same problem or event.

• 5

  Consider hypnosis or virtual reality therapy. These treatments will help you deal with the traumatic event on a different level than you normally would consciously. Sometimes the pain is so deep that your mind won't allow you to deal with the event consciously. Going to a subconscious level may help you achieve positive results.

• 6

  See a doctor to inquire about medications that relieve symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks or depression, if necessary. Some of the physical and mental symptoms of this disorder may need to be addressed initially with medication before other treatments and therapies can be effective.