After Trauma: Steps on
the Road to Recovery
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects more than 5 million people in the U.S. It develops in someone who has lived through a frightening event, including military combat, a car or airplane crash, rape or a natural disaster. People with PTSD sometimes find that frightening memories of their ordeals resurface months or even years after the events.
While PTSD can strike anyone, it's much more common in women than in men. It can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including irritability, nightmares and depression.
Talk to your doctor if you think you may suffer from this debilitating condition. Therapy and/or medications may provide relief. Research shows that these strategies may help you recover, too:
- Get plenty of exercise. Keeping active can relieve stress and provide some distraction from troubling thoughts.
- Talk to someone about what you're going through. "Tell a friend, a family member, a coworker -- just tell someone," says Arlene Emery, Administrator of The Pavilion at Northwest Texas Healthcare System. "Often, the feelings that emerge from PTSD can be very frightening. Talking about the problem may help you start to understand your thoughts and feelings about the traumatic event that triggered the condition."
- Steer clear of alcohol and drugs.
- Consider joining a support group for PTSD sufferers.
Warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder include:
- Irritability
- Headaches
- A sense of guilt
- Flashbacks
- Chest pain
- Emotional numbness
- Dizziness
- Nightmares
- Depression
The Pavilion at Northwest offers treatment for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. It also features programs for people with depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. For more information or a free, confidential assessment, please call 1-800-537-2585.
