Image Source

Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event may scar a person for life. The recurring memories of that horrible incident cause that person to suffer from emotional distress. PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has changed many past (such as “shell shock“). It got usually associated with veterans in the early 20th century. It’s essential for people who have PTSD to undergo therapy. Experts have come up with five effective coping strategies to treat this disorder.

Strategies to combat PTSD

  • Relaxation exercises for meditation

Meditation can be a useful tool to recover from PTSD. Mindful and concentrated meditation helps you overcome stress, anxiety, and depression. There are multiple relaxation exercises you can try, which include yoga, massage, and deep breathing. Specific activities enhance the feeling of self-compassion. Others, such as “mantra repetition,” assist you in anger management. Whenever you start hyperventilating, take deep breaths and get yourself back in control. There are also more intense and lengthy meditation programs that help patients control self-blame emotions. They include stress-reduction (MBSR) and cognitive therapy (MBCT).

  • Therapy is an excellent remedy

Although some people are suspicious of its effectiveness, PTSD therapy can improve one’s symptoms and restore their self-esteem. Trauma counselors can provide help finding and controlling one’s triggers. Therapeutic professionals specialize in assisting people in moving beyond their traumatic experiences. If you are looking for therapeutic professionals near San Francisco, then consult PTSD therapy in San Francisco SF to help you regain control of your life. You’ll learn how to cope with your stress and live a healthy tension-free life.

PTSD patients can adopt pet animals explicitly trained to recognize and interrupt symptoms of depression. These trained creatures provide patients the support they need to overcome their anxiety. There have been case studies of veterans who were rescued from their traumatizing flashbacks by therapeutic pets. It would help if you found an exercise for occupying your brain. It can be any positive activity such as hanging out with buddies, taking dance classes, or maybe doing yoga.

  • Journaling and expressive writing

Self-expression helps you control your emotions and release your inner anger. Writing private diaries and keeping daily journals let you articulate your feelings. Experts have found communication to be an effective method to clear one’s mind. Make a habit of writing about your life at the end of the day or early in the morning. It’s the right way of coping with anxiety. It will help if you write down what you’re grateful for and what makes you happy. It’ll let you find meaning in your life, i.e., post-traumatic growth. Art therapy – painting and making sculptors – is also a fantastic method of self-expression and gaining self-control. You can leave stressful memories behind by indulging in artistic projects.

  • Social groups provide collective healing

Group discussions have a positive impact on anger management. Meeting people who have survived similar ordeals can help one feel less exposed. In support groups, people soothe each other and find a sense of mutual understanding. These sessions are secure, discreet, and nobody judges anybody there. If you dislike public discussions, you can seek out a particular individual to share your emotions. You can also seek help anonymously on social media and available chat rooms. It will help if you share your mind with people you trust. You can find emotional validation in support groups and learn new techniques to cope with your fears.

  • Self-monitoring techniques

Nobody understands what you’re going through better than you. Therefore, self-soothing and self-monitoring exercises can be useful in PTSD recovery. Learn your triggers so you can warn yourself before something traumatizes you. Ground yourself by focusing on what’s happening right now. Engage in progressive muscle relaxation exercises. Try to become the master of your thoughts. A lack of self-awareness can make your PTSD worse than before. Try achieving some self-awareness.

Conclusion

Every year, around 3.5% of American adults have PTSD. Experts estimate that 1 in 11 people will get treated for PTSD somewhere in their lifetime. Reliving terrible memories and having flashbacks of an unpleasant episode is harmful to one’s mental health. Immediate diagnosis and treatment of PTSD positively influence the patient’s well-being. But there’s no quick fix for this disorder. Unscientific coping measures only hide your symptoms momentarily. Adopt healing procedures with permanent effects.