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Self Help for Trauma

Handling Post Traumatic Stress

Acceptance

When something terrible occurs, it is important to try to gradually accept the new reality if at all possible, rather than being in denial or somehow trying to push the new reality away. The saying, “It is what it is.” can be helpful here.

Adjustment & Adaptation

It is usually useful to try to adjust & adapt to a new and stressful situation. This means being open to new possibilities and being inventive in modifying your lifestyle.

Fight & Flight Versus Processing Difficult Feelings

Our traditional response to stressors has been to engage in combat or run away. Both of these still have a place, but it is also useful to process difficult feelings and think about them. The mourning process is a good example of this. If at all possible, it can be useful to stay with feelings such as sadness and anger associated with losses, process these feelings and, if possible, eventually even learn something developmentally for our lives from the process of mourning.

Stress Management

Stress management is very important. There are several activities which can contribute towards managing stress. These include exercise classes such as yoga and pilates, in percon or over the internet. Relaxation techniques such as self hypnosis, meditation and visualisation can also facilitate stress management and help counteract insomnia. There are some relaxation resources here. Stress can also be diminished by engaging in amenable activities, such as hobbies, reading, listening to music or whatever suits you. Socialising over the phone or by Skype or email or text can also reduce stress. Please see our stress management page on this website.

Maintaining a Healthy Mentality

Mental health is in many ways relative, but there are some areas which are generally helpful, such as: Keeping a sense of humour. It can be handy to cultivate a positive mental attitude and avoid excessive exposure to your own or other people's negative attitudes and stress. It's usually useful to try to be as honest with yourself and other people as possible and to increase reality testing and diminish denial. It's important to try to maintain self esteem. Stress management and self care can be very helpful as can psychotherapy and counselling.

Working on Your Relationship

This can be achieved by: Honest discussion, Taking time out from each other & Couple counselling. Please see the Couple counselling page on this website.