If you’ve ever been through a traumatic event, you know it can take a long time to heal. It’s okay if you haven’t recovered yet.
Surveys have revealed those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) annually end up spending more than $11,000 in healthcare costs on average. This is significantly higher than the amount spent by those without PTSD. Thus if you are living with PTSD, you also suffer physically and financially all the time.
You can leverage technology to your advantage, as you start taking steps toward healing. Here are a few ways the digital ecosystem can support you on your journey toward healing from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:
1. Seek Therapy Online
If you’ve experienced trauma, it can be helpful to talk to a therapist about how to understand and cope with what happened. Therapy can help you learn how your trauma affects you, including why it may cause symptoms like flashbacks or nightmares. It also helps people heal from PTSD by teaching them healthy ways of dealing with their symptoms.
Sometimes just being able to talk things out with someone else helps put things in perspective and reminds us that we’re not alone in our struggles. In Florida, the survivors of the deadly Pulse Club shooting in 2016 are empathetic and are coming out with their stories to provide emotional support to those affected by Colorado’s Club Q shooting recently.
You can even find a therapist in Florida to help you deal with PTSD and come to terms with your feelings. If you are not comfortable exposing your vulnerabilities in a physical setting, you can start digitally.
2. Use Meditation Apps
Meditation is also a great way to reduce depression. Meditation apps, such as those that provide guided mindfulness meditation, help treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Research has shown that mindfulness meditation can be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, particularly in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Studies have shown 8 week-long mindfulness classes have been instrumental in treating anxiety disorders to a large extent.
Mindfulness meditation is a practice in which an individual focuses their attention on the present moment, often through the use of breathing exercises or guided imagery. This practice can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings and can also help them learn to respond to them more positively and constructively.
Many meditation apps offer guided mindfulness meditation sessions that are specifically tailored to individuals with PTSD. These sessions may include guided imagery, mindfulness techniques, and other exercises that can help individuals cope with the symptoms of PTSD.
3. Join Online Support Groups
One of the key ways that online support groups can help individuals with PTSD is by providing a sense of community and connection. They also help people with PTSD by providing a sense of empowerment.
By connecting with others and learning about different ways to cope with PTSD, people can feel more in control of their symptoms and more confident in their ability to manage their condition. In an online support group, people with PTSD can share their thoughts and feelings with others who understand what they’re going through, which can provide a sense of relief and comfort.
Another way that online support groups can help is by providing education and information about PTSD. Many people with PTSD may not have a lot of information about the condition or may not be aware of the different treatment options available.
Online support groups can provide access to accurate and up-to-date information about PTSD and can also help people learn about different coping strategies.
4. Emote on Social Media
By sharing their own stories, survivors can take back control of their experiences and turn them into something positive. They may be able to help others that might be going through similar situations, and they can also help educate others about PTSD and the realities of living with it.
Additionally, sharing stories on social media can also provide access to different coping strategies, inspiration, and resources. It can expose the survivors to a wider range of perspectives and ideas, allowing them to find something that resonates with them and helps them feel better.
However, while reading stories of survivors on social media, it is important to know that every person with PTSD goes through a different journey. Even if you identify deeply with someone, it is always better to process your inner healing in your own time. Do not benchmark or compare your life with anyone else.
5. Start A Blog
Starting an online journal on a micro-blogging site is a great way to process your feelings. It can also help you identify triggers and work through them in a safe place, where you won’t be triggered.
Journaling can also help you manage your symptoms and work through your emotions, which may be difficult when experiencing PTSD. Your readers and followers will also gain strength from your journey and provide you with positive motivation.
You need not disclose your name and identity on the micro-blogging platform if you are uncomfortable.
In conclusion, the five strategies outlined above can be life-changing for those with PTSD. They help you process your trauma and move forward healthily while also maintaining an open dialogue with yourself about what triggers your symptoms. If you have PTSD and want to avoid relapses in the future, feel free to try out these tools today.