PTSD is a form of anxiety that occurs after exposure to a traumatic event(s). Anxiety is a completely natural reaction to stress, however, when it becomes a preventative presence in our daily living activities it becomes a problem that needs to be addressed. Some of the most common PTSD symptoms are nightmares, flashbacks, feeling as though you are reliving the traumatic event again, consistent anxiety, fear, and avoidance.
If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, please know that help is available. There are also things you can try to help yourself or your loved one through PTSD. Calming your body is an important tool to reduce anxiety, try deep breathing or muscle relaxation techniques to relax your body. If you experience flashbacks and relive the traumatic event, grounding techniques are very helpful to reconnect you with the present. Grounding includes exercises such as touching things and describing them out loud, reciting the alphabet backwards, naming off items on a particular list (cities, states, animals, etc), and running water over your hands while verbalizing how that feels. When grounding, it’s helpful to keep your eyes open, to practice regularly, and to ask for help from someone you trust.
Remember, the sooner you address PTSD symptoms, the easier it is to get them under control. Reach out for help to your family, friends, or health provider.
Written by: Amanda Furca, Graduate Level Intern, Loring Therapy LLC
loringtherapy.com
Adapted from the AnxietyBC online guide, “Self-Help Strategies for PTSD.”
URL: http://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/adult_hmptsd.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment