PTSD Warning Signs & Tips for Coping With It
June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness month and we want to highlight some of the signs that often occur when someone is battling PTSD. Recognizing these potential warning signs is key to managing the condition and seeking help. Dealing with PTSD can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to do it without therapy or knowledge of self-help resources that can help. We have also included some suggested ways to cope with PTSD as a resource for those who may be suffering.
Warning Signs
Heightened Reactions
Emotional Detachment
Feeling Hopeless
Isolated and Withdrawn
Depressed and Irritable
Insomnia or Nightmares
Repetitive Unwanted Thoughts
Unexplained Physical Pain
Avoiding People, Places, and Activities
Coping Strategies
Practice Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga
Research has shown that mindfulness meditation and yoga can help lessen anxiety, depression, and restlessness related to PTSD. Through regular practice, you’ll learn to recognize your thoughts before they affect your emotions, then you can replace negative thoughts with healthier, more beneficial ones!
Seek Therapy for PTSD
One of the most important methods for learning how to cope with PTSD symptoms is to seek help from a mental health professional. There are several different types of help for PTSD that have all been proven effective in giving you the ability to anticipate, recognize, take action against, and minimize trauma symptoms. Some forms of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), prolonged exposure therapy, and stress inoculation training (SIT)
Find Ways to Self-Soothe
The present moment is the only one that you can actually control. You cannot control what happened in the past, just like you can’t directly control future events. There are many ways you can help yourself relax and allow your mind to stay focused on the present moment. For example: journaling, massage, exercise, mineral baths, music therapy, aromatherapy.
Join a Support Group for PTSD
In addition to seeking help from a mental health professional, joining a support group for PTSD can be extremely beneficial! It can put you in touch with others who experience the same types of symptoms and feelings that you do, which can be very comforting and make you feel less alone.
Adopt a Pet for PTSD
Dogs are very intelligent, intuitive pets that provide lots of love, care, and support. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) notes that having a dog helps to decrease PTSD symptoms - especially loneliness and depression. Consider adopting an emotional support animal, service animal, or a psychiatric service dog that is trained to do specific tasks that help people manage their PTSD symptoms.
We hope these tips can be helpful to you or a loved one experiencing signs and symptoms of PTSD. Seeking help and support is a crucial part of managing!
If you or a loved one is in need of some helpful resources, visit our Resources page or @lemonsbytay.
