PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a severe and seriously misunderstood issue. People with PTSD struggle with extreme symptoms of anxiety and sometimes even depression.
As the name suggests, PTSD is caused because of a traumatic event. Various traumatic events can trigger PTSD, but the most common manifestation of this disorder is witnessed in war veterans.
Because of a lack of awareness and support, many people with PTSD turn to unhealthy coping methods like alcohol and drugs. Fortunately, there are several natural and healthy ways to deal with PTSD, and to raise awareness about them, today I am going to discuss some of the most effective ways to deal with PTSD.
Therefore, keep reading this post to learn more.
Deep breathing:
Though deep breath may seem like a simple thing to do, it can be a very effective way to ground yourself when you are overwhelmed by emotions and stress.
When we feel any form of stress, our body starts to hyperventilate, and the amount of blood flowing to our limbs is increased. Taking deep breaths can reverse these effects and help in countering stress.
Studies have shown that merely taking three deep breaths can be quite useful in relieving stress and anxiety.
Creating an effective social support system:
Emotional support is essential for you if you have PTSD. If you stay alone, stress can get more and more severe, and it can lead to various problems, including depression. Furthermore, in extreme cases, isolation can even trigger suicidal thoughts in a person with PTSD.
There are several ways to create a support system, simply sharing your feelings with a friend or a family member can help you feel lighter and relaxed. However, for the best effects, you should consider joining a support group for people with PTSD.
There you’ll be able to meet several people who are going through the same stuff as you, and you will also attend various people who have fought and defeated PTSD, which will boost your morale and allow you to stay hopeful.
Therefore, if you want to deal with PTSD and eventually defeat it, you should find a good support group.
Using cannabis for stress-relief:
Cannabis is a reasonably popular substance. Though it is mostly known for its recreational effects, it has several medical benefits as well. Among many other medical advantages, cannabis is also beneficial in countering various kinds of stress.
The cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD, can react with our natural endocannabinoid system and trigger the release of certain hormones like dopamine that are considered anti-stress hormones.
Moreover, most people with PTSD have to use pharmaceutical antidepressants and stress countering medications. These medications have loads of adverse side effects, and you can also develop a dependency on them, which is quite detrimental. On the other hand, cannabis is as effective as any pharmaceutical drug, and it doesn’t have any long-lasting side effects either.
Therefore, check out the Kootenay Dispensary Canada, if you want to get some legal marijuana for stress relief.
Writing a journal:
Writing your feelings and emotions in a journal is a great way to express the feelings that you are insecure about, and it can even help in dealing with PTSD. Journaling, which is also known as expressive writing, is a psychological technique that is promoted and practiced by several experts, and its advantages are quite substantial.
In the particular case of PTSD, journal writing is quite useful. It makes it easier for patients to cope, and it promotes post-traumatic growth as well. It can help patients find meaning in their life and create positive changes. It can also help in dealing with some of the symptoms of PTSD, like anger and tension.
Most psychologists promote their patients to maintain journals. If you want to fast track your recovery from PTSD, you should also try expressive writing.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is very active, and the standard method of treatment for various psychological disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is a form of psychotherapy, where you work with a therapist in a structured way and attend a certain amount of sessions.
The primary goal of CBT is to help you curb negative thoughts and promote healthier and more positive thinking. A skilled therapist will help you find the issues that are causing the PTSD and deal with them in a supportive and professional environment.
Though most of the other methods mentioned in this post will help you deal with PTSD, Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you beat it. Therefore, find a skilled psychotherapist and start your CBT sessions right away if you are fighting PTSD.
Improving your lifestyle:
Our overall physical lifestyle can have a significant impact on our mental health. Making changes to your lifestyle and adopting a healthier one can help you fight depression quite effectively.
Firstly, you should start by improving your diet. You will need to avoid unhealthy carbs and processed sugars, but you should also add certain foods to your diet that are good for your physical and psychological health.
Secondly, you should improve your sleep cycle. Sleep deprivation is one of the most prominent causes of stress; therefore, you should make sure that you are getting the requisite six to eight hours of sleep daily. I understand that sleeping can be tough for some people with PTSD, but if you employ various sleep improving techniques, you will be able to get the rest that you mind and body needs.
Lastly, you should also ensure sufficient hydration and add some exercise to your routine. Improving your lifestyle will have a very significant impact on your mental health, and fighting PTSD will become a lot easier.
To sum it all up, PTSD is a severe issue; still, it is widely misunderstood, and many patients are unaware of the natural treatment methods. Therefore, we have mentioned some effective natural treatments for PTSD in this post; we hope that you find it helpful and informative.
Author’s bio:
Samantha is an expert when it comes to providing remedies for physical and mental well-being. However, she is fond of writing regardless of what she writes about. She believes that she can influence people and their lives with her opinion and knowledge. To read her write-ups, visit https://cannabismo.org/.
