What are you guys doing to cope with PTSD?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:53:39 -0500

Meds, VA psyche, private doctors? What are some effective strategies you guys are using to make your life better despite having PTSD?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2024 9:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 21:26:33 -0500

I sing karaoke as part of what I do to cope. I don't drink or do recreational pharmaceuticals. I take my meds as prescribed and talk open and honestly with my VA providers.

Response by PO1 Theresa Aldrich made Nov 25 at 2024 9:54 PM

PO1 Theresa Aldrich — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 21:54:00 -0500

Anti-depressants, weekly therapy, and medical marijuana, which I discussed with all my VA docs and hobbies, and I have a mission as founder of HadIt.com Veterans. Our 28th Anniversary is Jan 20, 2025. No matter where my PTSD takes me, I always go back to my mission. Find a purpose and live it; it doesn't matter if it's a website or getting the best close-up photos of trees. Stop and try to embrace the good moments, and take a snapshot with your mind that you can replay in your head. I have a snapshot of sunrise over the ocean, sitting on a piece of drift on the beach in Carmel, CA. It is good to put good images in there to counter the dark ones. You are not alone.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 25 at 2024 11:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:05:52 -0500

This is what I did which helped me. Then I have suggested to many folks who I mentored:

I will describe the mirror technique in detail. Go to the mirror and smile at yourself. You might have to fake a smile, but it is better than none at all. Over time real smiles will appear. Talk about who and what you love. Then discuss who and what loves you. It makes absolute sense thinking and talking about love will make you feel better. Say good things about yourself through positive affirmations. This is commiserate with the old adage a positive thinker is a positive person. Conclude the session with it will all get better. Use the mirror at least three times a day. If you feel overwhelmed by life or have anxiety at bedtime, then go to the mirror.

I found out if a person becomes significantly less depressed, then they can handle PTSD better.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2024 12:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:01:23 -0500

Meds and VA psych.

As for strategies I use on my own: I got some basic guitar lessons and a guitar from Guitars 4 Vets almost 10 years ago - right now I've been going through Fender Play and Guitar Tricks to better learn how to play, learn some music theory, etc. I've found it's a great mindfulness exercise to focus on learning a riff or a song.

I'm also into nature therapy, and I'm an outings leader with the Sierra Club Military Outdoors program in my local Sierra Club chapter - I believe in the healing power of spending time outdoors and breathing fresh air, and can actually enjoy it when I can just walk in the woods and take in what's around me (unlike the time we spent in the woods when we were in the military). I also enjoy skiing, geocaching, and photography while I am spending time outdoors.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Nov 26 at 2024 11:56 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:56:15 -0500

I find that group psychotherapy to be quite efficacious given the military bonds that are created.
Rich