Getting Help For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder. Being diagnosed
with PTSD does not mean that you are crazy; it does not mean that you
have a mental illness and it is not something that you need to be
ashamed of. It is a perfectly normal reaction to an abnormal situation
or event.
There are numerous types of medical and psychological assistance
programs available today that were not available even a few years ago.
Counseling is one therapy option and frequently advised, whether you are
taking medication or not. Learning to recognize some of the triggers or
the things that can cause your symptoms to surface is a huge part of not
only coming to terms with the disorder, but in some cases, even getting
past them.
Medication is also a distinct possibility in many cases. Some people are
rather loath to take any type of prescription drugs, especially when
they realize they may have to take these medications for the rest of
their lives. However, there are a few things to remember when
considering prescription medication(s) as an option.
1. Not all medications will work on all people. Your physical body
chemistry and brain chemistry have a direct impact on how a specific
medication may work with your body. (i.e. simply because Zoloft, Xanax,
Lorezapam or others may work well for Joe or Stephanie, it does not mean
that Lisa or Carl will have the same results.)
2. Not all medications must be taken for the rest of your life. As a
matter of fact, may doctors will start you at the lowest doses possible
to see which ones work for you the best and may wean you off of them if
you appear to becoming dependant upon them or if you begin taking them
in a manner other than they are prescribed.
3. There is not a “one pill fits all” scenario when it comes to PTSD.
Because there are a number of issues to be dealt with when addressing
PTSD, there is a “cocktail” so to speak, that usually needs to be mixed
in order to address each individual issue. An example of this:
Depression is a major side effect of PTSD, which is an anxiety disorder.
Therefore, two medications may be needed, one to combat the depression
the other to combat the anxiety attacks. Not all of them need to be
taken everyday.
4. Medication is only a part of the overall therapy to help you get
well.
The best way to combat PTSD is to use a variety of the tools, which are
currently available in connection with one another. Understanding the
issues at hand that you live with and need to deal with is one of the
best ways to begin the process of getting on with your life and getting
yourself emotionally healthy again. Some say that knowledge is power, in
the case of PTSD that is an incontrovertible fact. The more you know,
the better your ability to be proactive in your treatment and making
good, sound decisions regarding your recovery or managing this disorder. |
