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How do others manage their PTSD?

14 Answers
Last Updated: 04/24/2022 at 4:27pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Life can be messy. Sometimes you need a little support to make your way through it. I love to help guide people through their challenges & to find the beauty in our messes.

Top Rated Answers
BeIiever
- Expert in PTSD
October 27th, 2016 1:17pm
This is a hard question to answer. For me, sometimes I'm not managing my PTSD well at all, and that is okay. Other times, it's manageable. Sometimes the more I try to manage it the worse it gets. Sometimes you just have to accept what your PTSD is causing, and let it happen. PTSD is caused because your brain is trying to heal the injury that was your "trauma". You might want to try grounding techniques, mindfulness, or meditation. I know those have the potential to help me a lot when I'm experiencing some symptoms from my PTSD. Staying positive can help tremendously as well.
Cyph
September 11th, 2017 6:04pm
Managing your PTSD or any mental illness is very personal - what works for someone else may not work for you. However, asking others how they manage is a great way to source ideas to try out for yourself! Just remember that if something doesn't work for you, keep trying. For me, the first step in managing my PTSD was to talk about my trauma with someone. By talking about it, I discovered and identified my triggers. After identifying my triggers, I was able to come up with a plan of coping mechanisms - different relaxation, distraction, and skills-based techniques to calm myself whenever I was upset or experiencing any symptoms. I relax by taking a nice, hot shower. I distract by doing a physical activity. And I use skills by challenging my fears - asking myself if I have any "proof" for my fears or if they are valid. I still use these today in my recovery!
Anonymous
February 2nd, 2017 11:03pm
I suppose it depends on what your PTSD comes from. My father, who's a soldier, plays video games and has to fidget with his keys in moments of relapse. I tend to do breathing exercises and writing down the things that caused my PTSD. And I've learned that cooking is surprisingly helpful too. It's just a matter of trying out safe coping mechanisms and the many different methods of managing your PSTD and finding out which one suits you best,
Anonymous
November 23rd, 2016 1:06am
Talking about it to a counselor, close friend or family member, or even a listener on 7 Cups. Come to acceptance that it happened and that you'll learn to grow from it. Stay away from drugs and alcohol as it may make it worse and isn't a coping mechanism at all. If you need to let off steam, exercise and let all that energy out or even take up boxing, martial arts, kickboxing, etc. If you know your trigger, it may be safe to stay away from it. There isn't only one way to manage PTSD, but there some bad ways to manage such as keeping it in all in, emotionally numbing, using drugs/alcohol to cope, or close yourself off from your friends and family. If you're struggling, reach out because there is always someone willing to help you.
Originalsky777
November 7th, 2017 11:17am
I manage my PTSD with medication and a great deal of distraction avoiding triggers and going to therapy
Exhorter4u
November 20th, 2017 11:22pm
I manage my PTSD carefully. The best way is to know what triggers the PTSD and avoid it if possible. If not, find other ways to fill in the void.
selfconfidentSkies1153
December 15th, 2017 6:26pm
I check in with myself a lot when I find a lot of memories and feelings coming back. I channel out my stress in knitting. I've done some wonderful projects over the years, along with some truly impressive knitting injuries (sprained wrists, tendonitis, broken needles). A good rule of thumb for me is that if I break the knitting needles through holding them too tightly it's time to reassess how I'm handling other things in my life. I also try to take the different parts of my life and keep them apart (work stays at work, home stays at home, parenting is about the child's needs and wellbeing and not just a "me me me" attitude)
EspritDuKaren68
- Expert in PTSD
March 5th, 2017 4:13pm
For me, as strange as this may sound, diet has helped me a lot. Ever since I began moving toward a whole foods plant-based diet eating mostly raw, I am finding I am more in control of my life and my emotions. Also my move from table salt to unprocessed Himalayan salt has helped me with my moods and with feeling more present. Taking care of oneself is so underappreciated, yet so important on this journey.
Alice1903
March 5th, 2018 2:47pm
Its a hard question. I guest each person has a differed way to deal with it, my way was to shut down my self and stop worrying about it. I let it in the past and moved on. It happened very suddenly and by it self. I Guest thinking of the problems of now and the future is a way to tell ur self that it is time to move on because if u don't it will have a big impact in ur future and ur everyday life. Making big plans, dreaming, thinking positively and always see the positive in everything, and finding something that u really love doing and working on it helps u feel good and remove all the bad feelings that PTSD make u feel. I never saw an expert or had any type of help, altho this would help me allot, I guest the best doctor is ur self,
Ravenderr
July 14th, 2020 12:55am
I actually recommend looking up the site traumahealed and Dr.Pete Walker’s site as well. These were all very helpful for me years back, and while life is not perfect now, it is much better. There are also a lot of recommended books on traumahealed as well as books written by Dr. Walker that I find very helpful. I was searching for a lot of options to work with PTSD, and I found a lot of very common advice spread throughout PTSD support groups already, but these two sources I’ve been told have the latest research. Another classic for PTSD is from the book, “The Body Keeps the Score.”
MarissaHope
April 23rd, 2022 10:40pm
Hi there! I know it’s been two years since you posted that question but I’m answering just in case others are wondering! Many people struggle with ptsd, and peoples ptsd can effect them differently so people handle it differently. Some people get a trauma therapist, or get put on medicine that help with flashbacks, and keep you calm. Or so people use coping skills, identifying what your triggers are, helps many people who struggle with ptsd. Because if you don’t know your triggers how are you going to be able to know how to prevent it? PTSD is a hard thing to experience, but getting help can change your life for the good
Anonymous
April 24th, 2022 12:03am
Hi there! I know it’s been two years since you posted that question but I’m answering just in case others are wondering! Many people struggle with ptsd, and peoples ptsd can effect them differently so people handle it differently. Some people get a trauma therapist, or get put on medicine that help with flashbacks, and keep you calm. Or so people use coping skills, identifying what your triggers are, helps many people who struggle with ptsd. Because if you don’t know your triggers how are you going to be able to know how to prevent it? PTSD is a hard thing to experience, but getting help can change your life for the good
Anonymous
April 24th, 2022 1:36am
Hi there! I know it’s been two years since you posted that question but I’m answering just in case others are wondering! Many people struggle with PTSD, and people's PTSD can effect them differently so people handle it differently. Some people get a trauma therapist, or get put on medicine that help with flashbacks, and keep you calm or some use coping skills. Identifying what your triggers are, helps many people who struggle with PTSD. Because if you don’t know your triggers, it can be difficult to manage it. PTSD is a hard thing to experience, but getting help can change ones' life for the good
Anonymous
April 24th, 2022 4:27pm
Hi there! I know it’s been two years since you posted that question but I’m answering just in case others are wondering! Many people struggle with ptsd, and peoples ptsd can effect them differently so people handle it differently. Some people get a trauma therapist, or get put on medicine that help with flashbacks, and keep you calm. Or so people use coping skills, identifying what your triggers are, helps many people who struggle with ptsd. Because if you don’t know your triggers how are you going to be able to know how to prevent it? PTSD is a hard thing to experience, but getting help can change your life for the good