Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition brought on by traumatic experiences, either sudden or prolonged. Not everyone who has lived through trauma develops PTSD, but those who do experience symptoms find difficulty functioning in everyday life. These symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, detachment/numbness, or jumpiness. While these are normal symptoms for anyone who has lived through a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, sudden death of a loved one, or long-term abuse, most people have opportunities to recover from them.
Those who develop PTSD, however, may experience symptoms on-and-off for months or even decades after the traumatic event has passed. PTSD symptoms can be triggered by any number of internal or external cues, depending on the individual. Learning to identify and cope with PTSD triggers is an important part of managing the condition and living a healthy, productive life.
Recognizing PTSD triggers
Trauma triggers a “fight-or-flight” response, throwing the nervous system into high gear. Over time most people’s systems normalize and the brain processes the experience as something that happened in the past. But for others, the brain processes the experience differently, attaching small details, such as a scent, a person, or even an internal feeling to the trauma, so that when those details are encountered at a later time, they signal danger. The individual may then re-experience the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, or repeated thoughts of the event. Or they may feel edgy and anxious, depressed, or have difficulty concentrating. PTSD affects each person differently, and their triggers vary widely.
Some common PTSD triggers include:
- Certain people or places associated with the trauma
- Specific feelings, like anxiety or helplessness
- Objects, such as a certain type of car, or a personal item
- Anniversaries or significant dates associated with the traumatic event
- Sounds, smells, and sights connected with the event
- Certain situations, such as getting lost in a crowd or stuck in an elevator can trigger PTSD symptoms
There are countless potential triggers, and they’re different for each person. Learning to identify PTSD triggers begins with taking note of when symptoms tend to appear. Do they appear while traveling, riding on elevators, or when walking into dark rooms? Most people who suffer from PTSD can identify at least a few triggers on their own. Others need help from a healthcare professional to understand and identify the cues that trigger their PTSD symptoms. Once the triggers are identified, the individual is better equipped to manage their condition.
How to cope with PTSD triggers
Coping with PTSD triggers in a positive way is an important part of living a healthy, satisfying life. Anyone who lives with PTSD does develop coping mechanisms, but they aren’t always positive. For example, a person may drink excessively in order to cope with feelings of anxiety. Or they may isolate themselves from others in order to avoid feelings of vulnerability. Some of these unhealthy coping mechanisms lead to further troubles and may even exacerbate PTSD symptoms.
There are a number of healthy coping strategies that help many people find relief from symptoms of PTSD. These include:
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Exercise
- Spending time in nature
- Self-soothing techniques
- Deep breathing, counting, and other grounding techniques
- Emotional support animals
- Peer support groups
PTSD treatment under the guidance of a healthcare professional can also be extremely beneficial. Trauma-based psychotherapy techniques can help the individual process the traumatic experience and minimize the impact that the triggers have on their ability to function in everyday life. Some common trauma-based therapies include:
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) aims to improve a person’s understanding of PTSD and to identify the ways in which it affects their daily life, thoughts, and behavior. CPT has proven effective in reducing feelings of anxiety, tension, guilt, and shame.
- Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is an intervention strategy that teaches individuals to process the experience by gradually approaching trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations. PE helps to increase the person’s comfort and reduce their fear.
- Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) uses the individual’s rapid eye movements to help reduce the emotional impact of memories related to the trauma. EMDR may help reduce anxiety and provide relief from symptoms of PTSD.
Recovering from PTSD is a gradual process, and sometimes it requires the help of a trained professional. If you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD or if you think you may have it, there are a number of treatment options available. Check PTSD clinical trials near you.
PTSD clinical research studies in San Diego
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a complex condition that affects each person differently. And people respond to treatments differently as well. Many of those who suffer from PTSD have to try a number of different treatment options before they find the combination that works for them.
Clinical research trials help us learn more about PTSD and aid in the development of new treatments so we can more effectively provide relief for the millions of people who suffer from the condition.
For more information, or to find out if you qualify for one of our studies, please give us a call at 888-539-0282 or fill out our contact form today.