The American Psychological Association definestraumaas an emotional response to a stressful event.
After a trauma, people experience feelings of shock and denial.
Long-term effects of trauma may include intense emotions, physical symptoms, flashbacks, and problems with relationships.
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An example of something you could do to conserve your resources is to order take-out instead of preparing meals.
Let your loved ones lightenyour load by helping with tasks or providing a supportive ear.
Thats what friends do best.
The result is that you are kept in a state of constant stress.
Strategies likeguided imagery,yoga,meditation, andprogressive muscle relaxationcan be beneficial.
Comforting yourself when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed is also important.
Doing this can help you better understand your emotions; it can also help you regulate them more effectively.
Grounding is a strategy that helps distract you from intrusive memories, difficult emotions, and flashbacks.
Physical grounding techniques that you might find helpful include:
The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method can also be helpful.
Try Creative Exploration
The arts and creative expression can also be a way to cope with trauma.
This approach suggests that artistic methods can help promote healing and foster greater mental well-being.
Creative expression is something that you might opt to try on your own.
Some strategies you might try include coloring, drawing, finger painting, sculpting, painting, or photography.
Taking slower and deeper breaths helps calm the body and induce a state of relaxation.
you’re free to do this by taking a deep breath that causes your stomach to rise.
Hold the breath for three counts, then slowly exhale.
Focus on repeating this breathing pattern for several minutes until you feel yourself begin to calm.
When life feels unpredictable, this routine can provide you with a sense of focus and control.
One way to combat this is to focus your attention onwhat you could control.
This can help you feel more empowered and resilient as you cope withstressorsin your life.
Effective treatments can help you feel better and get back on track.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Takeaway
All change brings stress as a by-product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms of PTSD can affect mood, emotions, and behavior.
Learn to recognize your loved one’s triggers and find ways to help them cope with these situations.
This might involve varying your routine or practicing relaxation techniques to deal with feelings of anxiety.
Finally, be willing to listen and offer support.
Research suggests that having a strong support system can play an important role in recovery from trauma.
Trauma can create changes in the brain that affect how traumatic memories are processed and stored.
This can then contribute to symptoms such as nighmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and intrusive memories.
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University of Rochester Medical Center.5-4-3-2-1 coping technique for anxiety.
Van Lith T.Art therapy in mental health: A systematic review of approaches and practices.The Arts in Psychotherapy.
