Tips for Getting PTSD Help

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition resulting from trauma. Although commonly known as a mental disorder experienced by veterans after a war, civilians can develop the condition after any traumatic experience.

However, PTSD is treatable. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that as many as 40% of people seeking treatment recover within one year. Of those who do not entirely recover, roughly 30% improve symptoms with PTSD help.

How PTSD can interfere with life

PTSD can interfere with your career, relationships, and day-to-day life. You might develop physical conditions such as startling easily, experiencing panic attacks, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Emotionally, you may have anxiety and depression. You might find it easier to distance yourself from others than to explain how you feel.

Friends and family may not understand your symptoms and could misinterpret your actions. Couples and family counseling can help make your loved ones aware as you seek treatment. All of you can learn the skills to overcome the symptoms of PTSD.

Treatment options for PTSD help

There are several psychological methods effective for treating PTSD. One of these techniques focuses on the thoughts preceding an emotion and the resulting behavior. Another method seeks to reframe the memory to lessen the pain. Your counselor will choose the best methods for your situation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps to identify the thoughts behind emotions. These thoughts can be turned into more helpful thoughts that lead to different emotions and different behaviors. CBT takes practice, and you may need to note the new thoughts and beliefs, reciting them when you feel a PTSD episode coming on.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR helps the patient recall the memory but changes how they feel about the event by “reprogramming” using eye movements.

PTSDuk.org reports that 90% of patients in a study recovered completely from PTSD in three ninety-minute EMDR sessions. This number will vary depending on the severity of PTSD and other factors, but the statistic gives us hope that EMDR is an effective recovery method from trauma.

Talk Therapy

Sometimes, the best way to experience a breakthrough is to talk yourself through it. Talk therapy is another standard help method. Sessions can be individual or with family. You may realize during your talk therapy sessions that the effects of PTSD are taking their toll on your career and relationships, and practice what to do during a PTSD episode.

Group Therapy 

Your counselor may recommend group therapy as part of your counseling. Group therapy with other clients dealing with PTSD can be both enlightening and encouraging. You can learn from others who have dealt with episodes and share your own story and what works for you. Group therapy provides a sense of camaraderie and support that is not available anywhere else.

Your counselor may combine evidence-based methods with faith-based principles to address every aspect of your health: physical, mental, and spiritual. Your mental care plan will differ from someone else’s. You can choose in-person or virtual sessions. Depending on your counselor, weekly check-ins and “homework” assignments enable you to practice the techniques and reassess what works for you.

Connecting with a Christian counselor

Carlsbad Christian Counseling can put you on the path to recovery. PTSD help is a click away. Call our office or complete the form to connect with a Christian counselor in Carlsbad, California for PTSD help.