So You’ve Been Diagnosed With PTSD Now What?

So you just got diagnosed with PTSD.Now what do you do?

Let’s start with taking a big deep breath. As confusing as it may be PTSD isn’t actually anything new to you. In order to get diagnosed, you’ve been struggling with symptoms for some time so the only thing that is actually new is the name.

Now I do understand that the diagnosis itself is quite scary and can bring up many questions. What does this mean? Will I be okay? How do I keep going? Does it get better? How do I get help? What can help me? Will it go away? These questions will be answered from my personal experience throughout the post.

Don’t forget that alongside the scary side of the diagnosis, there is also a very comforting and positive side to it. Finally, you have a name and an explanation for what you’ve been feeling and experiencing. Now you can get a better understanding of how to cope and live the life that you truly deserve.

PTSD is treatable and getting diagnosed is the first step on your journey to healing.  I’m not going to try and lie and tell you that recovery is a quick fix. Recovery takes time, effort, and dedication but step by step it will get better.

BEST TIPS TO COPE AFTER GETTING DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD

1. Educate Yourself

Yes, you know about PTSD from your personal experience but that is not enough. Truly educating yourself and understanding the diagnosis is an important part of a successful recovery. Learning about your illness will help you better understand and communicate your needs when it comes to treatment and in general.

Plus with all the stigma around PTSD, it’s important to be able to differentiate between what is true and what isn’t.  When I was first diagnosed I was sure that my life was over and that I would never be a functioning part of society. Which to date couldn’t be much further from the truth.

Another major impact of educating yourself on PTSD is self-awareness, which is a key part of healing. In order to know where you stand, how to effectively help yourself, and ask for help, you must be self-aware

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2. TALK, TALK, AND TALK

Opening up to those you trust when battling PTSD can be extremely effective and important. Having someone to support you, knowing you are not alone, and being able to talk about your feelings and thoughts can all play a crucial role in recovery. Sharing also helps us understand the past and create a logical pattern of events.

I know talking about it may be the last thing you want to do. And even if you do feel the need to open up, how? Where do you begin? Start by explaining the diagnosis. Let yourself open up and remember that you are fully in control. Sharing certain emotions and feelings does not mean you have to disclose it all. Take it step by step.

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3. You Can Still Live A Great Life

Don’t mistake a PTSD diagnosis for a death sentence. There is no denying that the disorder can significantly affect your life. You will not go back to being the exact same person you once were before the trauma took place but you are still in there.

Trauma has changed the way you think. The way you feel about yourself and others. But still, you survived, you are here. It will take time and work but trauma doesn’t have to stop you from living your best life and becoming the best version of yourself.

4. DBT & CBT

DBT and CBT are models of therapy that take a direct approach to dealing with thoughts and behaviors. Both are great if you are looking into therapy after getting diagnosed with PTSD.

Personally, I go to counseling for DBT and so far it has been a very positive experience.

DBT short for Dialectal Behaviour Therapy is an intense form of therapy that puts a large emphasis on emotion management and coping skills. DBT is also very helpful when it comes to recovering from self-harm behaviors and building healthy relationships after trauma.

The skills learned in DBT are very helpful when it comes to coping with PTSD symptoms and living day too day life. Part of what makes DBT work is the very engaged approach it takes on.

There are multiple components to this form of therapy. DBT programs include a combination of one-on-one sessions with a therapist, as well as group sessions and even homework where patients practice implementing the skills they learned in the real world. This means that patients in DBT are required to commit a few hours a week to therapy. 

CBT which is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talk therapy that helps with recognizing and changing thinking patterns and behaviors which negatively affect your life.

This therapy approach is very helpful to work through and understand emotions that stem from the trauma. CBT is a short-term program in which you will learn about your diagnosis and gain skills to help make changes in your thoughts and behaviors.

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5. Validate Your Feelings

According to the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute  ” Validation is the acknowledgment that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors make sense at that moment, given the context of who the person is and their history.”

People with PTSD often feel guilty for emotions and behaviors that stem from their trauma. In order to truly process your feelings and keep moving forward, you must accept and validate them rather than blame yourself.

You never chose to go through trauma and you are not to blame. PTSD and trauma can cause a wide range of intense feelings and behaviors that have nothing to do with your personal wants. Validate your feelings and be patient with yourself, you have enough battles to fight don’t make yourself become an enemy.

 

This Post Was All About The Best Tips After Getting Diagnosed With PTSD