C-PTSD or complex post-traumatic stress disorder refers to a devastating condition affecting those facing ongoing and extreme trauma. If not diagnosed and treated accurately, it can impair your quality of life and destroy relationships.
Long-term childhood abuse, domestic violence, being held hostage, and forced prostitution are common causes of C-PTSD. You know you are battling this disorder when the listed symptoms which mental health books help you overcome apply to you:
- Find it challenging to regulate your emotions
- Minor criticisms cause you to lash out
- Have difficulty trusting others and holding on to stable relationships
- Indulge in self-harm
- Constantly struggle with emotions of helplessness, shame, guilt, and belonging
- Addicted to alcohol and drugs
Complex PTSD Therapy
Repeated trauma damages your self-esteem, and with professional therapy, you regain your self-worth. The line of treatment must specifically focus on the trauma weighing you down by empowering you.
EMDR or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing will be done under the supervision of trained therapists. They guide your eye movements to process traumatic memories and alter your negative reactions to them.
Through behavioral therapy, you learn to acknowledge and address your negative feelings as they arise. Exposure therapy helps you process your trauma in a safe space while encouraging you to practice healthy coping mechanisms.
Therapists apply the following three-stage approach when treating you for C-PTSD:
Preparation
During this initial phase, the therapist mentally prepares you for upcoming challenges of processing painful memories. They honestly tell you that the experience may be uncomfortable, to begin with and also enlighten you on its possible outcomes.
Trauma-Processing
This stage is often emotionally draining as you process your trauma by talking about it and describing it to your therapist. Self-soothing techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and guided relaxation help you regain composure when confronted with conflicting emotions.
Sustainment
Here you develop coping mechanisms to take charge of your emotions and thoughts. When taken, prescribed antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety medication prevents a random incident from triggering the hurt you feel deep down.
Alternative Coping Mechanisms
Read mental health books to overcome distorted yet powerful beliefs and explore strategies that help you break away from self-isolation. Getting help with your addiction, substance abuse, or mental health treatment can be difficult to navigate. Reaching out for help at a centre such as https://healtreatmentcenters.com/ could help you on your healing journey.
Other recommended ways to improve your quality of life and encourage healing include:
- Maintain a routine as it promotes feelings of normalcy and brings stability to your life
- Make attempts to build strong and healthy relationships with those who positively influence you
- Pursue a creative hobby like music and art to redirect your negative emotions of fear and anger
- Eating balanced meals, getting adequate sleep, and keeping yourself physically active contribute to your wellbeing
- Spending more time in the outdoors amidst nature also helps calm your soul
Instead of spending a lifetime battling feelings of isolation and alienation, join a support group to connect with those dealing with similar issues. Getting back to living a healthy, normal, and balanced life takes time yet, a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy equips you to manage your C-PTSD symptoms.
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