Managing PTSD

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition that many people live with. It affects the mind, body and emotions. PTSD is a natural response to a traumatic event or a series of traumatic events.

What causes PTSD?

There are a few types of trauma that can cause PTSD. These traumas can include:

• Major accidents
• Natural disasters
• War and acts of terrorism
• Sexual assault/abuse
• Severe bullying
• Violence
• And more

Who suffers from PTSD?

PTSD can affect anybody who has lived through trauma. You may hear about it most often in military veterans who have seen combat. But PTSD can arise from any major trauma. As a result, communities who face discrimination and suffer violent attacks are also diagnosed with PTSD at a higher rate.

According to psychiatry.org, in the United States, “Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD. Three ethnic groups – U.S. Latinos, African Americans, and Native Americans/Alaska Natives – are disproportionately affected and have higher rates of PTSD than non-Latino whites.”

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms for PTSD can look different for different people. But there are a few common symptoms for this condition. These often look like:

• Flashbacks to traumatic events
• Trouble remembering details about traumatic events
• Inability to talk about traumatic events
• Dwelling on unwanted thoughts
• Nightmares
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression
• Irritability
• Reckless behavior
• Paranoia
• Anxiety and/or “jumpiness”
• Emotionally “shutting down”
• Antisocial behavior
• Guilt about traumatic events
• Distrust of others
• Shame toward oneself

As you can see, these symptoms can weigh very heavily on the heart, body and mind. These symptoms are challenging. And it can be even more challenging to manage one’s health while also struggling with PTSD. Working through trauma can make it even harder to manage blood pressure, blood sugar, heart health or other conditions.

PTSD is real, difficult and should be taken seriously. But it is also treatable, especially when you have the right kind of support.

How can I manage PTSD?

People can still live full, rich lives while working through their PTSD! There are many helpful treatments.

People living with PTSD could consider:

• Talk therapy. Speaking with a licensed counselor is proven to help relieve PTSD. It’s not a quick fix, but it can be deeply healing. Therapy methods like cognitive processing therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and even group therapy have been proven to help ease the burden of trauma.
• Animal care therapy. Service dogs, emotional support cats and even horse care ranches can have a huge impact on our mental and emotional well-being. This type of care has been used to treat addiction, ease anxiety and help relieve PTSD.
• Meditation. A regular mindfulness practice can help us train our brains to think certain thoughts when we want to think them and to let go of thoughts that don’t serve us. That’s a big win when we’re plagued by scary thoughts about a past trauma. Mindfulness meditation can also help soothe the body with deep breathing exercises. It’s free, it’s simple and you can do it as much as you like.
• Acupuncture. This ancient practice has helped people realign our bodies’ natural rhythms for centuries. And according to a 2020 study, acupuncture was shown to “remarkably relieve the symptoms of PTSD patients.” Consider finding a certified acupuncture specialist near you. Many insurances even cover acupuncture sessions!
• Yoga. Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind. It lives in the body too. A gentle form of exercise like yoga can help relieve stress for both. You can take formal yoga classes in a local gym or fitness center. You can also watch free yoga videos online and follow along at home.
• Medication. Some medications can make it easier for the body to recover from PTSD. Common PTSD drugs include Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil and Effexor. If you’re interested in trying medication, check with your doctor or healthcare provider to explore if there’s a prescription that might work for you. Many insurances help cover the cost of these drugs.

Find support

Talk to your healthcare provider before changing your medications or treatment plan. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a trained professional before starting any treatment. If a licensed therapist or doctor diagnoses you with PTSD, they can help you put together a plan for recovery.

Once you have professional support, get support from your friends and family. You might ask them for help sticking to your treatment plan. Maybe you’d like an encouraging word from time to time. Or maybe you just need their patience while you work through your PTSD. Whatever it may be, there’s no harm in asking your loved ones for the kind of support you need!