Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the event. Many people with PTSD struggle with daily life activities and relationships.
Thankfully, there are many treatments available for PTSD that may help lessen symptoms and improve quality of life. In this article, we will discuss five of the most common treatments for PTSD.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy, or CPT, is a type of therapy that can help people who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. CPT is based on the idea that the way we think about our experiences can impact how we feel and behave.
For example, someone who’s movies through a traumatic event may develop negative beliefs about themselves, such as “I’m weak” or “I’m worthless,” or “I don’t deserve to be here.” These negative beliefs lead to anxiety, depression, and self-isolation.
CPT can help people to challenge and change these negative beliefs. In addition, CPT can also help people to process their trauma in a healthier way. For example, many people who have experienced trauma avoid thinking about the event altogether.
However, avoidance can actually make PTSD symptoms worse. CPT can help people to confront their trauma in a safe and controlled environment so that they can begin to heal.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a type of therapy that is used to help people who have experienced trauma. It is based on the principle that the mind can heal from trauma just as the body can.
There’s a lot more to it, but generally speaking, EMDR therapy involves having the person relive certain aspects of the experience while making eye movements. This helps to reprocess the experience and reduce the emotional impact that it has.
EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD, and it can also help with other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- Cannabis
For many people suffering from PTSD, cannabis can be a life-changing treatment. While there is still much research to be done in this area, early studies have shown that cannabis can help to relieve some of the symptoms of PTSD.
Cannabis has been shown to help reduce anxiety, insomnia, and flashbacks, as well as improve mood and increase appetite. Cannabis can also help to increase levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps to regulate mood and emotion.
For many people suffering from PTSD, these effects can be extremely beneficial. However, it is important to remember that everyone responds differently to cannabis, so it is important to find a strain and dosage that works for you. If you are considering using cannabis to treat your PTSD symptoms, make sure to visit Veriheal to learn more about which strains are recommended.
Keep in mind that while cannabis may reduce your symptoms of PTSD, it does not treat the root cause —that’s something only therapy can accomplish.
- Group therapy
Some people have trouble opening up about their traumatic experiences, and that’s completely understandable. Who would want to open up to a stranger? That’s where group therapy comes in.
You don’t have to share on the first meeting, but just sitting with others who have gone through similar experiences and listening to their stories can be therapeutic in and of itself.
Group therapy can provide a sense of community and support, which is essential for healing. It can also help you to realize that you are not alone in your struggle.
- Mindfulness-based approaches
Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It can be practiced through activities such as meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga.
For people with PTSD, mindfulness can help to break the cycle of negative thinking and unhelpful behaviors. It can also provide a sense of calm and perspective, helping people to cope with difficult emotions.
When you practice mindfulness, instead of judging your emotions (and yourself for feeling them), you can simply feel them —which is all that needs to happen for healing to take hold. Mindfulness-based approaches can also help you to develop a healthier relationship with yourself and with others.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with PTSD, it’s important to seek help. There are many effective treatments available, and the sooner you start treatment, the better.
