Dealing With A Trauma

Following a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Engage in periods of appropriate physical exercise, alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions
• Structure your time and keep busy
• Don't label yourself- your normal and having normal reactions
• Talk to people that care- its probably your best medicine
• Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol, you don't need to complicate this with substance abuse problems
• Reach out- people do care
• Maintain as normal a schedule as possible
• Spend time with others
• Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing
• Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others
• Keep a journal; write your way through those sleepless hours
• Do things that feel good to you
• Realize those around are under stress too!
• Don't make big life changes
• Do make as many daily decisions as possible which will give you a feeling of control over your life, i.e. if someone asks you what you want to eat- answer them even if your not sure
• Get plenty of rest
• Reoccurring thoughts, dreams, or flashbacks are normal-don't try to fight them-they'll decrease over time and become less painful
• Eat well-balanced and regular meals (even if you don't feel like it)
• Remember to breathe