Managing PTSD: Tips and Tricks

Another book recommendation if you’re ready for it mentally is the cptsd workbook. It helps me to understand why I react the way I do.

I started the body keeps score, but it was a little much for me. Might revisit it soon. Opening up the ‘specific abuse’ can of worms is a really big step, you should be working with a trauma therapist when you do it.

Another book I heard is amazing is “the body keeps the score”. Knowledge is powerful when it comes to your mental illness

If your PTSD comes from abuse, like mine (my step father threatened to shoot me and every day for 3 years I lived in fear for my life) then the best place to start in my opinion is reading the book ‘Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents’. Katie Morgan on youtube has a lot of good videos around the subject. DBT and CBT therapy are both really helpful. Healing from traumatic abuse is the mission there. If your PTSD comes from say, war, I have no real idea.

Awareness of triggers, self talk, breathing, COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS! Tell them how this situation or person triggers you, there is strength in numbers

I made a list of triggers from my ptsd and I'll occasionally pick one and expose myself to it, but with a positive addition. Like bringing a friend, playing music, or just trying again and hoping for a new experience that won't reinforce my issues. My list is still very long, but I have been able to take a few things out. I do it at my pace and when I'm ready. Some medications help with going through this process for me too. I try doing somethings on my list at different locations like in a different building, area, state, etc. Changing my environment during certain things helped me a lot. Before doing that, if I felt as if something would send me into a spiral or give me flashbacks, I carry thing to squeeze, rub, or hold that brought me comfort to help combat past issues from resurfacing.

What kind of PTSD? Caused by something like war, or growing up in an abusive environment?