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by Dr.Meghna varma
Post traumatic stress disorder :in pursuit of healing
PTSD is commonly associated with those who've been exposed to war or terrorism. But the truth is PTSD can be a result of any traumatic experience such as physical or emotional abuse, childhood trauma, death of a loved one or even experience of a natural disaster. PTSD can occur in anyone regardless of ethnicity, age, gender or economic status.
The physical experiences of this disorder include anxiousness, aggressiveness, restlessness, irritability & anger. These symptoms can become a catalyst for extreme levels of depression & even thoughts of suicide. Are you or your loved one experiencing these symptoms? Consult a Psychotherapist immediately, as it might just be the difference between life & death
Here are a few strategies that may help lower your anxiety levels resulting from PTSD & make it more tolerable:
Breathe Deeply
Breathing exercises reverse the stress response once it occurs, making you less reactive to stressful situations. They also aid in physical processes like sleep, pain management & even digestion. Deep breathing is an excellent coping strategy for PTSD patients.
Practice Mindfulness
Meditation & mindfulness have been found to very effective in reducing self blame and avoidance in people diagnosed with PTSD. There are various mindfulness based treatments like :
- Mindfulness based stress reduction.
- Mindfulness based cognitive therapy.
- Mindfulness based exposure therapy.
- Meditation relaxation.
Monitor Yourself
Monitor your thoughts, your habits, your emotions & your reactions regularly. This will help you gain more control of yourself & help address PTSD symptoms in a more effective way.
Stay Active
Physical activity significantly cuts down stress levels & makes symptom management easier in PTSD patients. Physical activity helps individuals get into a focused state of mind known as 'flow' in which they're too absorbed in the activity to pay attention to other thoughts & emotions.
Pen Down Your Thoughts
Journaling your thoughts, feelings & emotions is an excellent way of coping with traumatic past. Expressive writing is a proven technique that improves physical & psychological health of individuals with PTSD by reducing symptoms like anger & tension.
Seek Social Support
Finding support in your social circle can play a vital role in helping you overcome negative effects of traumatic event & PTSD. Find one person you can trust to share your troubled thoughts and deepest emotions. This will signicantly improve your symptoms.
Don't let PTSD be the lion lurking in the dark, waiting for opportune moment to pounce on you, its prey.
