Treatment For PTSD: Finding Your Path Toward Healing

There may be days when the weight of a traumatic experience seems unrelenting. Perhaps a seemingly ordinary sound induces a rush of panic, or a familiar place causes anxiety and withdrawal. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can present ongoing challenges, impacting one’s sense of safety and peace of mind.

Having a sense of being lost after trauma is common. However, support is available. Understanding treatment options for PTSD, a complex mental illness, may help you find support when it is most beneficial. 

Have you experienced trauma? There is hope

Find compassionate help with online therapy

Understanding PTSD

While not everyone who lives through such adversity develops PTSD, the brains of some individuals struggle to fully process the experience, leaving it painfully vivid in their memory. Research shows almost 7% of people will develop PTSD at some point in their lives.

PTSD is more than a distressing memory of a difficult event. PTSD changes how individuals experience life, mentally and physically. Vivid flashbacks might impact your present day, nightmares might disrupt your sleep, or you could struggle with a heightened sense of unease. In some cases, the emotional distress may become so intense that anger surges forth, or you find yourself emotionally numb and withdrawn.

PTSD frequently coexists with other mental health challenges, such as depression or substance use disorders. This combination of challenges can become overwhelming and may make recovery seem like a distant goal. An accurate diagnosis allows for appropriate intervention for one or more conditions.

The significance of seeking professional help

If symptoms of PTSD significantly impact your life, consider seeking help. While family and friends can offer love and support, the complex nature of PTSD often requires specific expertise. A mental health professional can diagnose PTSD, work with you to understand your particular symptoms, and help you develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

When adequately treated, the outlook for those facing PTSD is positive. Research-supported therapies make recovery possible. Recent research highlights several effective approaches for PTSD treatment, including cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): 

• Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): Imagine your traumatic memories and the lingering beliefs around them as a tangled web. CPT helps clients detangle harmful thoughts or distorted beliefs that arose from the experience. With guidance from your therapist, you may learn techniques that shift your perspective, reducing misplaced guilt, fear, or self-blame.
• Prolonged exposure (PE): With your therapist's support, prolonged exposure therapy centers on carefully and gradually revisiting the trauma memory or situations that act as triggers. The goal of this modality is often to create a sense of safety and control. The more you safely face these triggers, the less overwhelming they may become.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR integrates mindfulness, guided imagery, eye movements, or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This bilateral brain stimulation technique may cause your brain to shift how it processes troubling memories.

Your recovery plan might incorporate a blend of therapeutic styles or include other treatments as needed. Your trauma therapist can advise you on the best course of action based on your symptoms and diagnosis.

The role of other treatments alongside psychotherapy 

While various types of psychotherapy often form the foundation for PTSD treatment, other approaches might be beneficial. These can include the following: 

• Medication: When symptoms like overwhelming anxiety, depression, or difficulty sleeping interfere with treatment, antidepressants or other medication types may be prescribed. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a common class of medications that your doctor might recommend.
• Group therapy: Validation from others who deeply understand PTSD may be beneficial. Group therapy provides a safe haven for sharing traumatic experiences, finding practical coping mechanisms, and having a sense of being less alone in a demanding journey.
• Complementary therapies: Practices like yoga, mindfulness, and other mind-body techniques may soothe an overactive nervous system and help individuals cultivate greater internal calm. However, these practices are often considered a support rather than a replacement for evidence-based psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help clients process trauma and develop coping skills. However, healing can be found through various methods. If anxiety, depression, or insomnia linger, medication could be worth exploring. Group therapy allows you to connect with others who may understand your experiences and mind-body practices offer tools to manage stress and find inner peace.

Consult a medical doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication for any condition. The information in this article is not a replacement for medical advice or diagnosis. 

Building a strong support network

As you navigate PTSD treatment, the people around you may be a source of strength. Below are a few suggestions for bolstering this network: 

• Connecting with loved ones: You can help your close friends and family understand PTSD better. Sharing educational resources or explaining how they can offer meaningful support may help you bridge the gap.
• Joining a support group: Sharing your story and listening to those of others with PTSD can remind you that you're not in the situation alone. Support groups are available in person or online.
• Communicating with your treatment team: Openly communicating with your doctor and therapist by sharing any changing symptoms or concerns may help you foster a collaborative relationship focused on your healing.

Healing is a process that takes time. While you go through treatment, the support of others may alleviate some burden and provide a sense of belonging. With support, recovery from PTSD and symptom management are possible. 

Recovery from PTSD 

Recovery from PTSD is often ongoing. Setbacks are possible, so patience and self-compassion may allow you to sustain motivation. When you want to give up, it might be helpful to note that healing may not always be linear. Asking for help can be brave along the way. 

As you progress through therapy and build coping skills, you may notice improvements in your symptoms. For example, you might become less anxious or manage triggers with more ease. Below are a few ways to support your progress during treatment: 

• Celebrating progress: Focusing on gradual progress, no matter how “small,” may provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue. 
• Practicing self-care: Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally may aid in your recovery.
• Setting boundaries: Learning to say "no" and setting boundaries in relationships may reduce stress and increase self-esteem.
• Accepting imperfection: Recovery may not be about "fixing" yourself but learning to manage symptoms and live a fulfilling life despite them.
• Advocating for yourself: Don't hesitate to speak to your therapist if you want to change course or try a new approach. You can be an active partner in your treatment.

Recovery from PTSD is often possible. Treatment, time, and the support of others may ease your PTSD symptoms. 

Alternative support options 

Have you experienced trauma? There is hope

Find compassionate help with online therapy

When living with PTSD, accessibility can be crucial. Seeking a therapist who understands the unique experience of PTSD can be challenging when limited to your immediate area. Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can offer clients access to a broader pool of experts for individual therapy. In addition, the convenience of attending sessions from home might be beneficial when navigating challenges associated with PTSD. 

Research is promising regarding the effectiveness of online therapy for PTSD. A randomized controlled trial, considered a gold standard in research, confirmed online therapy could be as impactful as in-person care for people with posttraumatic stress disorder, often accompanying the benefits of lower cost, greater convenience, and higher patient satisfaction. With the ability to achieve comparable results through online therapy, individuals living with PTSD have more access to treatment that works for them.