Are You a War Veteran Suffering from PTSD? Try These 10 Coping Strategies.
Anyone can develop PTSD, but many war veterans are afflicted with it. If you fall into this category, you might feel isolated or distraught sometimes. You may even turn to substance abuse in your darker moments.
Substance abuse treatment for veterans is available, and you should use it if necessary. There are also many options for coping, so let us outline a few of them right now.
One-On-One Therapy
If you’re dealing with PTSD, trying one-on-one therapy is one of the most effective methods you might look into. If you can talk about what you’re thinking and feeling, that can often make you feel better. Your therapist might also have some specific recommendations of things you can try.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is another option. If you pick this, you might look for a group that has other veterans in it. If you saw combat, and they did as well, you can commiserate with each other and use each other as a support network.
Meditation
Meditation has been known for thousands of years to have a calming sensation. It can be helpful for anyone, but it has been shown to have particularly positive results for war veterans with PTSD.
Antianxiety Medication
Talking to a doctor or therapist about going on antianxiety medication might also be a smart move. There are many options on the market, and you can always try some different ones to figure out which seems to be working best for you.
Yoga
You can try yoga as well. The therapeutic nature of yoga is well established at this point, and it’s a great way to stay limber as well. You will often find that it calms your mind, and you can practice it both at home and in a class with other people.
Martial Arts
Martial arts training can focus the mind, and it’s useful for blocking out intrusive thoughts. When you lose yourself in the physical rhythms of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and others, you may find that you’re less stressed and more relaxed after each class.
Journaling
Journaling can be a great help for those with PTSD who have seen war. If you can write down your thoughts, that can help you deal with them. You might do this in conjunction with therapy or on your own.
Know Your Triggers
It’s often extremely helpful to know what your triggers are as someone with PTSD. If you can learn what it is that makes you feel uncomfortable or paranoid, you can learn to avoid those situations.
Walking or Biking in Nature
Sometimes, getting out in nature and walking around or going for a bike ride can help. When you’re out there hearing the birds singing and feeling the wind blowing against your cheek, it can calm you down and make you feel a sense of connectedness to the world again.
Exercise
Exercising regularly is also potentially helpful. When you exercise, you get out of your head, and often, that’s just what someone with PTSD needs.
Poppy Watt