Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops as a result of being repeatedly traumatized by an event or being witness to or experiencing a particularly distressing event. People who experience PTSD experience symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, trouble sleeping, nightmares, and flashbacks. Common benefits of PTSD treatment. The benefits of PTSD treatment include the ability to change your life by learning how to live with your symptoms and developing new coping strategies. In addition, there are many support systems and organizations that offer help for those with PTSD.
There are different forms of PTSD treatment including psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, art therapy, massage therapy, and PTSD counseling. A combination of these different forms of therapy has been shown to be most effective. The benefits of PTSD counseling are that it helps you manage your symptoms and gives you tools to reduce stress. Counseling can focus on reducing negative behaviors and replacing those with healthier behaviors such as exercise and diet control. When combined with other forms of treatment such as lifestyle changes, therapy offers the best results. Here are some of the common symptoms associated with PTSD:
Physical Symptoms
You may experience constant or intermittent physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, and muscle pain. Other physical symptoms are muscle weakness, muscle tension, blisters, and skin rash. Psychologically, you may find yourself avoiding triggers that cause past traumas in your life and avoiding places and people that remind you of those traumas. Anxiety disorders are characterized by feelings of fear, excessive worry and irritability, and worry about future events. Both psychosocial and behavioral treatments have been proven helpful for people with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Emotional Symptoms
Besides the physical symptoms, PTSD can also lead to emotional effects such as low self-esteem, negative thoughts, and flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and stress. It can also cause problems with relationships and work performance. One of the most common emotional effects is depression. Although people with PTSD do report feeling better about themselves after treatment, the condition itself often goes untreated. A variety of therapies including talk therapy and meditation have been proven effective in treating the emotional effects of trauma.
Behavioral/Lifestyle Changes
Enhancing social skills and developing new routines can help reduce symptoms associated with PTSD. These can include diet control and getting enough sleep. Also, exercising and joining a recreational team can be very beneficial. Finally, learning to cope with traumatic experiences and developing an understanding of your supportive loved one’s behaviors can also be beneficial. By undertaking these strategies, you can learn to support your loved one and reduce the likelihood that another trauma will trigger symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Because PTSD can take years to develop, it is important to seek help when it is needed. If you or someone you love needs help from PTSD, there are many resources available. For additional information on getting started inputs, there are numerous publications, videos, and articles to read. Other popular websites and forums contain a wealth of information on the topic. In addition, many therapists and support groups offer multiple approaches to help clients deal with the symptoms associated with PTSD.