The severe and intrusive symptoms associated with PTSD might make you feel helpless and leave you wondering if you’ll ever find relief from your struggles. How can you recover from a disorder where even the smallest sound or movement could trigger a cascade of flashbacks, intense fear and heart palpitations? Fortunately, your brain is resilient enough to eventually recover from PTSD if you’re patient and willing to put in the work. If you have PTSD, here are some ways you can reclaim your life.

1. Seek Therapy

A mental health professional with experience in treating trauma can be your ally in your battle with PTSD. After working with you and evaluating your condition, they can recommend specific types of therapy for you, including options like:

• Music therapy
• Equine therapy
• Art therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

2. Find a Support System

Your close friends and family members can be invaluable parts of your journey toward healing from PTSD. While they might not understand exactly what you’re going through, they can empathize with your desire to overcome this disorder and put your trauma behind you. Having meaningful social and family connections in your life can positively impact your health and healing.

3. Limit Your News Consumption

If you’re working on healing from PTSD, it’s essential to avoid negativity. The news, especially in 2020, can be unsettling and can help remind you of the hopelessness and anger associated with your mental health challenges. While it’s crucial to stay informed, you should turn off the news and disable notifications on your phone if you start feeling stressed, anxious or panicky.

4. Make Time to Relax

Every day, set aside a designated time to relax. Whether you choose to do so by meditating, taking a walk outside, listening to music, doing arts and crafts or taking a nap is up to you. However, ensure the relaxing activities you choose are healthy and beneficial for your mental well-being, as opposed to anything that could worsen your PTSD symptoms.

5. Strengthen Your Connections

Feeling like you’re part of something larger than yourself can also help you recover from PTSD. Volunteering gives you a sense of connection to your community and fosters friendships with people who support the same cause. You’ll also reap the psychological and emotional rewards that come with doing something kind and altruistic for those less fortunate – also known as the “helper’s high.”

You Need an Environment That Encourages Your Goals

People struggling with mental health challenges like PTSD often use alcohol and drugs to numb their pain and forget their troubles, but this can lead to heartbreak in the long run. If you’ve completed an addiction rehab program and need help to stay on track with your new lifestyle, a sober living environment should be part of your aftercare plan. To learn more about what you can expect with Segue Recovery Support’s high-accountability sober housing, please call or email us today.