How to Cope With PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a profoundly affecting mental health condition with far-reaching consequences for the many unfortunate enough to contract it. The disorder is a response to traumatic events, and somewhat chronic in nature – with 1 in 25 of us having contracted it at any one time (a figure which excludes complex PTSD or cPTSD, an advanced form of the condition caused by chronic exposure to trauma).

A PTSD diagnosis can be at once cause for concern and relief; the symptoms of PTSD, including involuntary emotional outbursts, sudden panic attacks, flashback events and sustained issues with sleep and concentration, can be incredibly affecting, and knowing their cause a relief; the journey to recovery, though, is a long one.

The Causes of PTSD

The causes of PTSD are wide-ranging and multiform, with the risk of development occurring across many different walks of life. One of the more common root causes of PTSD lies with personal assault, in the form of physical, psychological or even sexual abuse at the hands of a partner, parent, authority figure or other person in a position of trust. Indeed, over 300,000 16-24-year-olds in the UK have been diagnosed with PTSD, and the majority of recorded cases relate to personal assault and violence.

Another common cause of PTSD is exposure to traumatic experiences, be they injurious events or prolonged bouts of threat. It is this reason that PTSD sits amongst the most common mental disorders developed by military personnel, where the high pressure of active duty and the profoundly distressing experiences of combat can cause mental instability.

Seeking Help

Seeking help for PTSD is as simple as arranging an initial appointment with a GP or military doctor. The symptoms of PTSD can be wide-ranging, but some key commonalities are shared, and those commonalities can be limiting for a person’s ability to live a normal life. GPs are well-placed to help you find the right psychological help you need, and can also provide you with suitable medication to control certain emotional aspects of your symptoms.

Simultaneously, you might seek recourse via civil means; as an ex-member of the military, military solicitors may be able to advise you on the possibility of gaining compensation for your experiences. If criminal proceedings are underway against a perpetrator of abuse, you may also be able to take the civil avenue for compensation.

Long-Term Coping Strategies

PTSD is a chronic condition, and not one that can be easily solved in the short-term. Not only can acute medication and therapy measures be a useful start, but long-term work on your condition is also necessary to keep its impacts on you to a minimum. Keeping on top of meditation has been shown to help with symptoms, and keeping a core group of loved ones around you can help you stay on the right track.