“PTSD comes from some type of traumatic event,” said Colleen Cira, PsyD., a psychologist who specializes in women and trauma. “It can include things like war, car accidents, rape, physical assault, or even verbal and emotional abuse. Basically, any kind of scary or disturbing event that overwhelms our ability to cope falls into the PTSD category.”
One of the common causes of post-traumatic stress disorder is the occurrence of a life-changing event that one is not prepared for. An example of this is experiencing a loss of a loved one, ending a long-term relationship or quitting a career. At the same time, trauma can also result in this kind of mental disorder. Luckily, there are some proven effective ways on how to handle this kind of disease.
If you are a person who wants to get better at handling PTSD, this article is perfect for you. Be sure to read from start to finish so that you will get some tips:
Tip No. 1: Understand What PTSD Means
The first vital step that you must do is to educate yourself about PTSD. Do not hesitate to research this illness. Read all the resources, but make sure to check first whether it is reliable or not. However, this does not mean that you can perform self-diagnosis after getting sufficient information about it.
Tip No. 2: Talk To A Therapist
“Stigma and shame unfortunately continue to inhibit countless sufferers from getting the help they need. According to National Association for Mental Health (NAMI), less than half of Americans with mental illness get the help they need. This simply isn’t good enough,” says Alicia Clark, PsyD.
Forget about the stigma of seeking professional help. What is essential at this point is that you open your mind to the possibility of speaking to a therapist who could help you handle PTSD. This professional will also provide you with the correct details or data about the said mental illness. Consult a therapist or psychiatrist as soon as possible to avoid some complications.
Tip No. 3: Connect With Others
Now is the perfect time to establish stronger ties with the people surrounding you. Learn how crucial it is for you to connect with others. This connection is what can inspire or motivate you to make better choices. Stop having second thoughts on opening up about your problems to others. Some people will be more than willing and happy to help you in any way possible.
Tip No. 4: Find Your Passion
Another smart or excellent thing that you can do is to start searching for the things that you are passionate about. Think of the activities that you have always wanted to try such as painting, baking, dancing, singing or traveling. Feel free to explore what you want to achieve. You will be amazed at how fantastic life is the moment you find the one thing that keeps you moving forward.
Tip No. 5: Meditate
“There are several different forms of meditation, each of which falls into one of two categories: mindfulness meditation and concentrative meditation,” according to Jeffrey E. Barnett, PsyD, ABPP. Many have tried the former and reports have said it can really alleviate bad moods and thoughts.
Do not underestimate the power of meditation. Make an effort to practice this activity until you become good at it. The combination of stress and trauma can be deadly. These things can affect the way you make decisions or do certain things. Hence, it is crucial to find an activity that can help you in this aspect. What you have to do is to meditate more so that you will have increased focus and attention. It will put you in a state of mindfulness.
Stop pressuring yourself with this sickness. Take note that it can still be curable. You must commit to putting your heart and mind into following the tips mentioned above.
