PTSD Poll/Question Results - How do you deal with PTSD?

The results are now in for our latest PTSD Poll/question on how you deal with PTSD. The poll received a massive response of nearly 100 participants so thanks guys for taking part :)

This was an anonymous poll looking at how people cope deal with their PTSD.

The results are as follows:

27.9% of those who took part, said they deal with their PTSD by talking to a therapist, counsellor, support worker

15.1% of those who took part, said they deal with their PTSD by ignoring/forgetting everything that happened

15.1% of those who took part, said they deal with their PTSD by taking medication

9.3% of those who took part, said they deal with their PTSD by talking online eg 7 cups

9.3% of those who took part, said they deal with their PTSD by creative expresssion eg journalling, art, poetry etc

8.1% of those who took part, said they can't deal with their PTSD yet

5.8% of those who took part, said they talk to friends

5.8% of those who took part, opted for other means of dealing with their PTSD

3.5% of those who took part, said they deal with their PTSD by talking to family members

Everyone has their own unique ways of managing and dealing with PTSD. What may work for you, may be different for someone else, but there are many ways to consider coping with PTSD which can help to reduce your distressing symptoms and make life feel a little more bearable/easier. Plus, these coping strategies can result in changes that last into the future. Here are some positive coping methods:

Learn about trauma and PTSD

It can be useful for some trauma survivors to learn more about common reactions to trauma and about PTSD and to come to a realisation that what they are experiencing is perfectly 'normal' given the experiences that they have had to cope with. It can be helpful to recognise the signs where perhaps assistance from others may be needed. When you learn that the symptoms of PTSD are common, you realise that you are not alone, weak, or crazy. It helps to know your problems are shared by hundreds of thousands of others. If you decide to seek treatment and support for your condition, you will be enabled to understand your response to trauma, and can get to a better place to cope with the symptoms of PTSD.

Talk to others for support

When survivors talk about their problems with others, something helpful often results. It is important to try and not to isolate yourself. Instead make efforts to be with others. Of course, you must choose your support people with care. You must also ask them clearly for what you need. With support from others, you may feel less alone and more understood. You may also get concrete help with a problem you have.

Practice relaxation methods

Try some different ways to relax, including:
Muscle relaxation exercises
Breathing exercises
Meditation
Swimming, stretching, yoga
Prayer
Listening to quiet music
Spending time in nature

Creative expressions including art, poetry and creative writing, getting it out there in a creative and carthartic way

While relaxation techniques can be helpful, in a few people they can sometimes increase distress at first. This can happen when you focus attention on disturbing physical sensations and you reduce contact with the outside world. Most often, continuing with relaxation in small amounts that you can handle will help reduce negative reactions. You may want to try mixing relaxation in with music, walking, or other activities.

Distract yourself with positive activities

Pleasant recreational or work activities help distract a person from his or her memories and reactions. For example, art has been a way for many trauma survivors to express their feelings in a positive, creative way. Pleasant activities can improve your mood, limit the harm caused by PTSD, and help you rebuild your life.

Talking to your doctor or a counsellor about trauma and PTSD

Part of taking care of yourself means using the helping resources around you. If efforts at coping don't seem to work, you may become fearful or depressed. If your PTSD symptoms don't begin to go away or get worse over time, it is important to reach out to others, whether this be family, friends, a counsellor, or someone else with whom you feel safe to turn to. Your family doctor may also be able to refer you to a specialist who can help you with symptoms of PTSD. Talk to your doctor about your trauma and your PTSD symptoms if you feel able, as the more they know, the more they may be able to help take care of your health better

Many with PTSD have found treatment has worked for them with medicines that have helped to reduce some symptoms of PTSD. By taking medicines, some survivors of trauma have been able to improve their sleep, anxiety, irritability, and anger.