Dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its symptoms can be an ongoing battle. It takes the regular use of coping mechanisms and strategies in order to deal with these symptoms in day-to-day life and keep you on the right track.
Looking out for early warning signs of returning PTSD symptoms is a good way to manage your condition and allows you to take preventative measures to stop symptoms becoming worse. Stress in your life, anniversaries of the traumatic event, or events which remind you of the accident can all cause a return in symptoms and potentially a return of PTSD.
You can identify early warning signs in order to try and avoid a relapse in symptoms. Adapting the way you think and consider different experiences can mean you notice when things are changing and can use the techniques you have learnt previously to deal with your PTSD, to help you deal with these situations.
Warning signs of PTSD symptoms
Symptoms of PTSD do not usually suddenly appear and return. There are usually events which lead up to their return that can be tracked and help you to understand your condition and what to look out for. These can include:
- A change in the way you think about things – this can include a change in your views towards any treatment you have been receiving, thinking that no one cares and that nothing is going to get better.
- A change in your mood and the way you are feeling – feelings of irritability, anger, anxiety or your mood rapidly changing can all be warning signs of symptoms returning.
- A change in the way you behave and react to situations – this can include a lack of motivation towards different activities, isolating yourself from friends and family and excessively using alcohol or nicotine to avoid your feelings.
It is important that you recognise changes in yourself and the way you are feeling and acting in order to successfully adapt your lifestyle and prevent symptoms becoming too much to deal with. Getting early treatment and speaking to someone quickly can make a world of difference in your recovery and can stop things developing, before they become unmanageable.
Family and friends can also be useful in recognising early warning signs and can help you to deal with recurring symptoms. You should speak to your loved ones and make them aware of any symptoms you think are important to look out for.
At CFG Law, we understand the difficulties that someone suffering from PTSD has when adapting to life and learning to live with their symptoms, to stop them reoccurring and relapsing. We work with a network of medical professionals who are specialists in PTSD and who can help you and provide the treatment you require if you feel your symptoms are returning. It is important you have access to this treatment as quickly as possible and our aim is to provide you with the help you require as early as possible.
CFG
