Five Tips for Living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

While you are waiting to come see our Washington DC post traumatic stress disorder counselors, you may want to keep these tips in mind:

• Remember that post traumatic stress disorder is treatable. If you find asking for help scary, you aren’t alone. You can get the help you need by not being ashamed of your condition and the things you may be doing to cope with it.

•  Learn about your condition. PTSD is your brain and body’s natural response to highly unnatural stress. It can help to realize that, instead of being flawed, your mind and body is doing what it is designed to do, but needs help re-balancing to a normal flow.

• Consider finding a support group to be able to talk with others who will understand exactly what you are going through with post traumatic stress disorder.

• If appropriate, try to be around others who want to be with you after a traumatic experience. Loneliness and isolation can tighten the knot of stress that you may be feeling and make things worse.

• Think of your PTSD symptoms like a physical injury that sometimes needs to be accommodated until you’re back on your feet. Anticipate that your symptoms will act up from time to time and impair your concentration or make you feel “shaken up.” Use caution operating your motor vehicle or other equipment and let yourself do less without criticizing yourself.