Treatment can help you recover from PTSD.
If you haven't already, ask your doctor about treatment.
Now ... even if you're doing well ... or you've been in treatment ...
your symptoms may come back.
But there are ways you can take care of yourself ... no matter where you are in treatment ...
by planning how to manage your symptoms.
A written plan can give you peace of mind ... and help you feel more in control.
Getting support is a good place to start.
So ... think about making a list of trusted friends or family you can contact when you need someone to talk to ...
Some people join a support group to connect with others who've been through a similar experience ... or ...
you might try volunteer work to help you stay connected with others.
Breathing techniques could be part of your plan too.
They can help you feel calmer and cope with difficult thoughts or emotions.
Also, you can try practicing mindfulness.
It helps you become more aware and accepting of your thoughts which can help you feel more connected to the present moment.
You can also learn to change thoughts that pop into your head and weigh you down.
For example, if you think "I can't do treatment because it's too hard,"
stop and ask yourself what would make it easier.
[Meredith] "Treatment is hard to do alone, but with support from my friends, I can keep going."
Catching thoughts that make you feel bad or stuck in the past ... and replacing them ...
is something you can plan to work on every day.
[Meredith] "There's no reason to feel ashamed for something that wasn't my fault.
And I wouldn't blame a friend if this happened to her ...
so I can show myself that same respect."
A counselor can teach you more about techniques like breathing or replacing negative thoughts.
Another important part of managing PTSD is to try to avoid things that can make your symptoms worse ... like drugs or alcohol.
Instead, try to focus on healthy things that help you feel good over time ...
like picking up an old hobby.
Staying active is another way to feel better and improve your mood.
So try to find something you enjoy and work it into your day.
You might ask a partner to join you ...
For more ideas and tools that can help you, try searching online for "PTSD online coach."
Now, when you've written your plan, keep it where you'll see it and share it with your family, friends, doctor, or counselor.
Together, you can put your plan into action and enjoy the life you deserve.
