If you have experienced a traumatic event, it is important to develop healthy coping skills to manage the stress and anxiety that can accompany it. Trauma can be very overwhelming and can cause a great deal of emotional pain.
It is important to take care of yourself both mentally and physically as you work through the healing process. In this blog post, we will discuss some helpful coping skills for traumatic stress and improving your mental health.
What is post traumatic stress order (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur after a person has been through a traumatic event. Traumatic events can include things like natural disasters, physical or emotional abuse, serious accidents, terrorist attacks, or military combat.
People with PTSD may relive the event over and over again, have nightmares or flashbacks, feel constantly on edge, or avoid anything that reminds them of the event. PTSD can be extremely debilitating and make it difficult for people to return to their normal lives. But with treatment, most people with PTSD can eventually recover.
Who can have PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can be triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, compulsive behaviors, and intense anxiety. While it is often associated with veterans of war, PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event.
This includes survivors of natural disasters, sexual assault, and child abuse. It is important to seek treatment if you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, as it can significantly impact your quality of life. If you think you may have PTSD, please reach out to a mental health professional for help.
What are the mental and physical symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a condition that can develop after someone has experienced a traumatic event. PTSD can cause a range of symptoms, both mental and physical.
These can include:
- flashbacks and intrusive memories of the event
- avoidance of anything that reminders the individual of the trauma
- negative changes in mood and thought patterns
- difficulty sleeping and concentrating.
Physical symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, chest pain, and an increased heart rate. It is important to seek professional help if you think you might be experiencing PTSD, as it can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life. With treatment, however, many people are able to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
Traumatic stress can be difficult to identify if you can't point to a specific series of traumatic events. But, just because you didn't experience a natural disaster or traumatic event doesn't mean you're not dealing with a repeated exposure problem. Emotional distress of any sort can trigger PTSD or other mental illness.
How can I heal from traumatic events?
Traumatic events can range from a one-time occurrence, like a car accident, to chronic exposure to difficult situations, like living in a war zone. No matter the type of traumatic event experienced, it is important to remember that healing is possible.
The first step is to give yourself time to process the traumatic event and allow your emotions to move through their natural cycle. It is also important to be gentle with yourself and avoid self-blame as you begin to process your traumatic stress. As you begin to heal, it can be helpful to connect with others who have had similar experience, like in a collective traumatic event support group. Talking about your trauma can help lessen its power and bring you comfort and understanding.
There are also many professional resources available, such as counselors and therapists, who can provide additional support. With time and care, it is possible to heal the wounds of trauma and move on with your life.
When is it time to see a mental health professional?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to seek help for traumatic stress. For some people, the symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event. For others, the symptoms may not appear until months or even years after a traumatic event or series of traumatic events. If you are struggling to cope with your symptoms, or if they are interfering with your ability to function in day-to-day life, it may be time to seek professional help.
A mental health expert can provide you with support and guidance as you work through your symptoms. They can also help you to develop coping strategies and identify any other factors that may be contributing to your PTSD. If you think you may be struggling with PTSD, reach out for help today.
Coping skills for processing your traumatic events
The first thing to do is to acknowledge that you're having some sort of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) type response. There are normal reactions, and then there are outsized reactions to daily life that traumatic experiences cause. While not every person with PTSD is a war vet, flashbacks and physical reactions have been modeled on TV, radio, and in books, so think about what that type of response looks like.
For example, normal responses to fireworks are to be a little startled or aroused. If a sudden loud bang has your heart racing, your mind repeating thoughts, and your palms sweaty – you might need some better support systems for coping with your traumatic response.
Step 1: Admit you have a problem and INFORM your loved ones
People can't help you manage your triggers if you don't tell them what they are. It can be challenging to speak during a posttraumatic stress disorder episode, so if you can, speak to your loved ones about how to limit exposure to stressors.
If loud noises, voices, or certain smells trigger you, work to reduce stress and avoid those triggers until you can deal with them. Some of it is self care, and some of it is common sense. If your family members know you can't handle yelling after a disaster or traumatic event, they will have disagreements quietly on your behalf.
Step 2: Get support.
Support groups are a great way to relieve stress and find meaning in your experience. You can experience traumatic stress in a safe, guided manor with your local support group.
Step 3: Desensitize.
AS you start to process what happened to you, you'll be better able to respond to the triggers in your life. This is the most important part of your journey to recovery.
Start by imagining the trigger in your mind. It can be anything from a sound to a smell. If you start to feel overwhelmed, that's okay, just take a break and come back to it when you're ready.
The more you practice this, the easier it will be to face down your triggers in a real life setting. And remember: a therapist is a GREAT resource when you're starting to desensitize yourself to triggers. They provide emotional support and structure for you to handle your upwelling emotions in a safe way.
