Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that is quite worrying. How could it not be, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder not only affects a person’s physical condition, but also their psychological and emotional condition. Therefore, PTSD recovery strategies really need to be considered.
Various PTSD Recovery Strategies
Basically, PTSD is a mental disorder that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a terrible event. Those who experience it are often trapped in memories or nightmares about the traumatic event. This causes anxiety, fear or even the inability to function normally in everyday life.
Some common causes of PTSD include war experiences, serious accident tragedies, physical or sexual violence or loss. In the explanation on Mass General Brigham’s YouTube, PTSD is only found in 10-20% of those who were traumatized. So, does not occur in the rest. The symptoms also can vary from person to person.
The most common symptoms include persistent nightmares. Sometimes there is an avoidance of things that remind you of the traumatic event, such as places, people or conversations. Often feeling threatened or easily startled. Until the most severe is the growing feeling of disconnection from others, irritability or feeling hopeless.
PTSD Recovery
Meanwhile, the process of PTSD recovery strategies is a long journey. It involves various efforts that can help individuals manage symptoms until they finally recover. Here are some strategies that patients or families can apply during recovery.
1. Psychological Therapy (Psychotherapy)
One way to recover from PTSD is through talk therapy. One of them is through CBT which will help individuals understand and change negative thought patterns related to trauma. It can also be done through EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). A therapy that uses eye movements to help the brain process traumatic memories and reduce their impact.
2. Stress Management with Relaxation
Stress management is very important for individuals suffering from PTSD. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing or yoga can help calm the stressed nervous system. It can also reduce anxiety while improving sleep quality. Things that are often disturbed due to PTSD.
3. Use of Medication
In fairly severe cases, doctors may prescribe medication to help manage PTSD symptoms. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications often function to help stabilize mood while reducing anxiety.
4. Increase Physical Exercise
Physical activity is one of the PTSD recovery strategies by helping to release tension and stress. Physical activity also releases endorphins which are known to reduce feelings of depression. We can try running, swimming or walking for 30 minutes in the mental recovery process.
5. Continue Learning to Understand Yourself
It is important to understand that PTSD recovery is a time-consuming process. Educating yourself about PTSD and how its symptoms work will help you feel better. The more you understand your own condition, the more likely you are to find a path to healing.
6. Building Social Support
Having support from those closest to you is essential for PTSD recovery. Talking to friends, family or joining a group can provide comfort. This even reduces the feelings of loneliness that often arise.
Overall, PTSD recovery strategies are not easy. However, that does not mean it is impossible to recover. Through therapy, support and good self-management, starting the recovery process is more effective. Thus, the path to achieving a better quality of life is also wide open.
