Posted: January 9th, 2023
How to Manage PTSD Among Veterans
How to Manage PTSD Among Veterans
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that affects many veterans who have experienced combat or other traumatic events. PTSD can cause distressing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness, anger, guilt, and avoidance of reminders of the trauma. These symptoms can interfere with the veteran’s daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments for PTSD that can help veterans cope with their symptoms and recover from their trauma. The following are some steps that veterans can take to manage their PTSD and improve their well-being:
– Seek professional help. The first step is to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan from a mental health provider who specializes in PTSD. There are different types of therapy and medication that can help veterans with PTSD, such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Veterans can access these treatments through the VA health care system or other community resources.
– Get support from others. Having a strong social network can help veterans with PTSD feel less isolated and more understood. Veterans can benefit from connecting with their family, friends, peers, or other supportive people who can listen, offer encouragement, and provide practical assistance. Veterans can also join support groups or programs that offer opportunities to share their experiences, learn coping skills, and engage in positive activities with other veterans who have similar challenges.
– Take care of yourself. Living with PTSD can be stressful and exhausting, so it is important for veterans to practice self-care and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and finding ways to relax and have fun. Taking care of yourself can help you reduce stress, boost your mood, improve your physical health, and increase your resilience.
– Learn how to cope with triggers and symptoms. Veterans with PTSD may encounter situations, people, places, or things that remind them of their trauma and trigger their symptoms. They may also experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts that make them feel as if they are reliving the trauma. To cope with these challenges, veterans can use various strategies such as breathing exercises, grounding techniques, positive self-talk, distraction methods, or challenging negative beliefs. These strategies can help veterans calm their nervous system, stay in the present moment, and reduce the intensity of their emotional reactions.
– Work through your emotions and beliefs. Veterans with PTSD may struggle with difficult emotions such as anger, guilt, shame, or sadness. They may also have negative beliefs about themselves, others, or the world that affect their self-esteem and outlook on life. To overcome these issues, veterans can benefit from processing their emotions and beliefs in a safe and supportive environment. This can be done through therapy, journaling, art, music, or other expressive outlets. Working through your emotions and beliefs can help you heal from your trauma, make sense of your experience, and find meaning and purpose in your life.
References:
: PTSD Treatment | Veterans Affairs https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/ptsd/
: PTSD in Military Veterans – HelpGuide.org https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/ptsd-in-military-veterans.htm
: Caring for a Veteran with PTSD: What Do You Need to Know https://www.brainline.org/article/caring-veteran-ptsd-what-do-you-need-know
: PTSD and Your Family | Veterans Affairs https://www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov/Encyclopedia/142%2CAY1044_VA
: How to Manage PTSD Among Veterans