Understanding and Living with PTSD

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a deeply rooted trauma response that affects many individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Millions of people suffer from PTSD worldwide and recognizing the signs and symptoms can prove essential for effective management. Recent studies and professionals have expanded the definition of “trauma” to include forms of trauma that are experienced indirectly. In other words, you do not have to experience something traumatic in order to experience something traumatic. Let’s talk about the most common signs of PTSD, its symptoms, and provide insights into living with this condition, including coping strategies and rules that people with PTSD could find helpful. 

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD: 

1. Flashbacks and Intrusive Memories

1. Vivid and distressing recollections of the traumatic event.

2. Flashbacks that feel as if the event is happening again. 

2. Avoidant Behavior

1. Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event: including people, places, objects, or activities. 

2. Emotional numbness and detachment from others. 

3. Hyperarousal

1. Persistent feelings of anxiety or hypervigilance.

2. Difficulty sleeping, irritability, and a heightened startle response. 

4. Negative Changes in Mood/Cognition

1. Persistent negative thoughts about oneself or the world. 

2. Difficulty experiencing and maintaining positive emotions. 

Living with PTSD:

1. Seeking Professional Help

1. Speaking to a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor, can help someone effectively manage PTSD symptoms. 

2. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and emotionally focused therapy have proved to assist and be effective in processing trauma. 

2. Building a Support System

1. Sharing experiences with others can help break through the isolation associated with PTSD. 

2. Opening up to family and friends can cultivate a safe space to discuss coping mechanisms. 

3. Stress Management

1. Prioritize self-care activities, such as exercise, nutrition, engaging in hobbies to help with subjective well-being. 

2. Practicing stress management techniques, such as meditation and mindfulness, can help individuals regulate emotional responses. 

Common Rules for Those with PTSD:

1. Setting Boundaries

1. Establishing a clear set of boundaries with people can help create a safe space. 

2. Communicating boundaries with others can help others understand and support better.

2. Mindful Exposure

1. Gradual exposure to triggers may help some individuals desensitize the emotional response. 

2. Trust a mental health professional to assist with exposure to triggers in order to properly heal. 

3. Routine 

1. Creating a proper routine can provide a sense of structure and reliability. 

2. Predictability from routines may help individuals with PTSD regain a sense of control. 

Living with PTSD can be extremely difficult, but understanding, patience, and unconditional support can help those struggling feel supported. Seeking professional help, recognizing the signs and symptoms, and adopting coping strategies can help individuals with PTSD reclaim their lives.  If you’re experiencing PTSD, we want you to know you’re not alone. At Uplift, we’re here to provide that support and guide you to relief. Our clinicians offer couples, family, LGBTQIA+ Affirming therapy, and teen counseling either in-person or on telehealth. Book your appointment today!

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