Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health disorder that can feel like a lifetime of pain and suffering. PTSD is a debilitating disorder that can change the way you live your life. There is no cure for PTSD, but there are ways to manage it. The most important thing to remember as a person with PTSD is that you are not alone and you have options for treatment.
The First Step Is to Get Help
The first step in overcoming your PTSD is finding a therapist or counselor who can help you through the process. It’s important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable. If possible, try to choose someone who has experience treating people with PTSD or trauma-related disorders. However, if that isn’t possible, ask them how they work with clients with these issues. You should also ask other people if they like the way that this person works and treats their clients.
Remember, You’re Not Alone
You’re not alone in your struggles with PTSD. Many people have overcome similar problems to yours and gone on to live successful lives. You just have to keep in mind that no matter how terrible your symptoms get or how much they seem like they’re never going away, there will come a time when your symptoms will fade away completely. You just have to keep pushing yourself through the hard times, and eventually, you’ll find yourself on the other side of your recovery journey.
There are also many resources available for those who struggle with PTSD. There are support groups such as the National Center for PTSD that provide tools for coping with PTSD along with other mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Don’t Expect to Feel Better Right Now
Don’t expect to feel better right away. It’s normal to go through ups and downs as you work through your emotions, but it can be easy to get discouraged when things don’t improve immediately. Every person is different. If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, take some time to explore why this may be happening.
You may need more help or a different treatment plan from someone who can provide a greater level of support during this time. A good rule of thumb is not to expect things will get better overnight or even over the course of a few months. Be patient with yourself. Recovery from trauma takes time.
Be Patient With Yourself
It is important to remember that healing from PTSD does not happen overnight. Healing is a process, and it can take years for someone with PTSD to recover. That being said, it’s also important not to give up hope or get discouraged if you are still experiencing symptoms of PTSD long after the trauma occurred. It’s okay if you still have nightmares or flashbacks years later — this is normal.
You should also keep in mind that there is no “right time” for your symptoms to go away completely. Everyone heals at their own pace and during different stages of their lives. For example, someone can be diagnosed with PTSD in their late 20s. However, despite having had similar experiences as other people who developed this disorder later in life (such as military veterans), the recovery process took much longer than others because of other factors.
Take Care of Yourself Physically and Emotionally
Besides the usual self-care measures – exercise, meditation, relaxation techniques, healthy eating, and drinking water – there are also some additional steps you can take to help reduce stress.
One of the most important is getting enough sleep. When you’re under chronic stress, you don’t sleep well. As a result, your ability to handle stressful situations suffers. Sleep deprivation has been linked with increased anxiety and irritability. You should aim for seven or eight hours of sleep each night.
The other thing you can do is learn how to manage your emotions when they come up during the day or night by journaling about them. You can also talk about them with a trusted friend or therapist who understands PTSD symptoms. This will help prevent them from overwhelming you the next time they occur.
Know That You Deserve to Be Happy
You are not alone. Many people have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives, but most people do not seek treatment for it. Just knowing that you’re not alone can help you feel stronger and more supported through your healing process.
You are strong, even if you don’t feel that way right now. Whether your trauma was caused by a single event or a series of events throughout your life, know that you have survived against incredible odds. That alone is proof of your strength and resilience.
You can get through this. You deserve happiness. The road to recovery will be long and hard at times, but all things pass eventually. Don’t give up hope just because it seems like things won’t change soon enough for your liking.
While it’s understandable to feel frustrated about a condition like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), don’t let that get in the way of your recovery. Remember that you’re not alone, and there are lots of ways to help yourself get better. You can start today by getting help. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD and managing their symptoms, Acera Health is here to help. We want to help you through this process and begin living the life you deserve. Our facility offers both medication and a range of evidence-based treatment approaches to help you find healing from trauma. Call Acera Health today at (949) 647-4090 to learn more about our program.
Melody is a highly skilled proactive clinical administrator, with more than 17 years of experience serving the community in the behavioral health field.
Her clinical management career started in 2011 as a compliance manager and program director. In 2018, she became an executive as chief clinical officer (CCO). She is a seasoned licensed marriage & family therapist.
