Surviving or witnessing a traumatic incident can cause someone to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition. They may experience symptoms that include intrusive memories, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, emotional numbness, a rapid heartbeat, and more.
Fortunately, effective treatment can help individuals with PTSD restore their mental health and improve their quality of life. However, because people are different, they may not find certain treatments as useful as others. Read on to learn about 10 methods for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and how they can help all different kinds of people find relief.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
One effective treatment for PTSD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Through this treatment, patients focus on identifying and challenging the negative thought patterns that reinforce symptoms of trauma. As they work with professionals, they learn strategies to reframe these thoughts to regain emotional balance and reduce their distress.
Individuals learn techniques like cognitive restructuring, where they examine how fears or assumptions stemming from the trauma may be affecting them. For example, survivors may believe they are “weak” or “at fault,” and CBT guides them to challenge and reinterpret these beliefs logically. This technique can be empowering for individuals, as they turn something that feels overwhelming into something manageable.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Another method for treating PTSD is prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, which allows patients to re-encounter their fears in a therapeutic setting. The main goal of PE is to gradually reduce the intense fear and avoidance that characterize PTSD triggers. It works by helping individuals repeatedly expose themselves to the memories or environments they fear, “desensitizing” their reactions over time.
This method typically involves two main components: in vivo exposure, where individuals engage with feared but safe environments, and imaginal exposure, where they recount their traumatic experiences with a therapist. While emotionally challenging, PE empowers people to reclaim freedom in areas of their lives previously overshadowed by fear.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
PTSD specialists may also treat individuals with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Practitioners will ask patients to remember a traumatic incident while they engage in EMDR.
This approach involves guided eye movements or other forms of rhythmic stimulation, such as alternating taps or sounds. These movements help process and reframe traumatic memories, enabling individuals to reduce their PTSD symptoms significantly.
During EMDR sessions, a therapist helps the patient focus on their traumatic experience while simultaneously engaging in the eye movement technique. This dual-attention process reduces the emotional intensity of the memory and helps the individual associate it with something less distressing.
Meditation
Those with PTSD can use meditation to cope with their symptoms and experience inner calm and emotional balance. For example, individuals can use mindfulness meditation to anchor themselves in the present moment and reduce the grip of intrusive thoughts.
Meditation encourages self-awareness and emotional regulation, which can assist patients with their triggers. While it may not replace other treatments, meditation can be a valuable tool in a comprehensive approach to healing and recovery.
Stress Inoculation Therapy
For people who find that harsh stress reactions compound their PTSD symptoms, they may want to consider stress inoculation therapy (SIT). This method teaches practical coping mechanisms to manage stress and anxiety. Rather than focusing directly on the trauma, SIT equips people with tools to handle the symptoms when they arise.
For example, by using breathing, those with PTSD can regulate their nervous systems and reduce the impact of triggers. Over time, individuals build resilience and a sense of control over their emotional and physical responses, making daily life more manageable.
Emotional Freedom Techniques
You might know emotional freedom techniques (EFT) as “tapping therapy.” It is a treatment that utilizes physical techniques like tapping on acupressure points. EFT can help to release emotional blockages linked to trauma, promoting healing for both the mind and body.
Sessions typically involve tapping on specific areas, such as the head, face, and collarbone, while discussing key emotional triggers. Its simplicity and emphasis on the mind-body connection make it appealing to those seeking alternative or complementary therapies for PTSD.
Prescriptions
Medication can be a necessary component of PTSD treatment. Psychiatrists will use prescriptions to manage specific symptoms in their patients. Common medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as sertraline and paroxetine.
While patients shouldn’t consider medication a complete solution, it can help them find relief along with therapies like CBT or EMDR. It’s important to work closely with a psychiatrist to find the best medication plan for individual needs.
Group Therapy
When people with PTSD attend group therapy sessions, they can find support while openly discussing their traumas, coping strategies, and progress. These sessions reduce the sense of isolation that many people with PTSD feel.
Group therapy sessions often include structured topics or exercises. Some groups also offer support sessions for friends and family members who wish to improve their level of understanding and their ability to communicate with empathy.
Art Therapy
Creative expression through art therapy allows individuals to process traumatic memories nonverbally. For some people, traumatic feelings may feel too overwhelming or complex to articulate through words. Art therapy uses mediums like painting to help patients explore their inner world in a safe and meaningful way.
The act of creating often leads to emotional release, reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, the visual representations of trauma and healing can be tools for therapists to guide discussions and foster deeper understanding.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Interacting with animals, such as dogs or horses, can benefit people with PTSD. Animal-assisted therapy promotes emotional well-being by encouraging affection, trust, and communication with a nonjudgmental companion. Animals can also provide comfort during moments of anxiety and stress by offering a grounding presence.
Many organizations specialize in therapy animals trained to work with trauma survivors. Such interactions create a sense of safety that individuals can carry into other areas of life.
Treating PTSD requires a multifaceted and compassionate approach. From cognitive-behavioral therapy to animal-assisted options, the wide variety of treatments ensures that those with PTSD can find what works best for their specific needs and circumstances.
The Neuropsychiatric Clinic can help you explore different methods as you travel the road to recovery from PTSD. Reach out to us today so we can explain how our team members will put you on the pathway to healing.