It’s never easy to be in a situation that leaves you with a wound that does not heal. It could be the loss of a loved one, being in an accident, or having faced abuse – the pain from traumatic incidents such as these sometimes just don’t go away.

The trauma can linger on and develop into PTSD – which is a condition some people undergo when they have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event and end up feeling the psychological impact of it long after the event.

It is almost like experiencing the trauma all over again – it leaves them with a sense of helplessness and defeat.

If you or someone you know is experiencing PTSD, here is how you can cope.

1.       Meet a doctor

There is a taboo associated with getting help for psyche related problems but it is the first and most necessary step to do when you are faced with something like PSTD.  Your doctor will be able to tell you everything you need to know about PSTD and getting the right information is very crucial, as well as help you deal with it!

2.       Reach out to people

The first thing to remember is that you are not alone – Reach out to friends or family and make sure you tell them how you are feeling. You might have to explain to them your symptoms and it might take some time for them to understand but remember it is really important to do so.

3.       Exercise

Exercising and eating healthy foods is a natural stress-buster and taking care of your body means that your mental health improves as a natural & happy side-effect!

4.       Join a support group

Find out if there is a support group where you live and join the group  because there is nothing like meeting people who are experiencing similar things. This helps you understand that you are not alone and that you are going to be okay.

5.       Avoid stimulants

Any stimulants like caffeine, alcohol or drugs can only worsen your symptoms. Make sure you completely avoid them!

6.       Relax and get enough sleep

Do things that leave you feeling relaxed – It could be meditation, volunteering, painting or whatever your favourite hobby is. Also, getting enough sleep and feeling rested is a very important step towards managing PTSD.