Symptoms of PTSD
What is a flashback someone with PTSD might experience?
Reliving a traumatic event as if it’s happening again
Name one grounding technique someone with PTSD can use
The 5-4-3-2-1 technique, focusing on your senses.
Five things you can see
Four things you can touch
Three things you can hear
Two things you can smell
One thing you can taste
Essentially using all five senses to anchor yourself in the current moment.
What is a trigger?
Anything that reminds a person of a past trauma and causes a reaction.
What does the acronym “EMDR” stand for?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
During EMDR, the therapist guides the patient to focus on a traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues. The patient is encouraged to revisit the memory and process it from different perspectives, allowing for a more adaptive understanding and integration of the event.
Some people believe PTSD always involves flashbacks what are two other symptoms someone might experience instead
Emotional numbness, avoidance, hypervigilance, or intrusive thoughts.
Name two emotional symptoms of PTSD.
Anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, or emotional numbness
What type of breathing exercise helps calm the nervous system?
Deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing
True or False: A trigger is always obvious and external
False – triggers can also be subtle or internal.
Name one type of therapy used to treat PTSD
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, or Prolonged Exposure Therapy
What is a common misconception about recovery from PTSD
The recovery is quick and easy. In reality it OFTEN takes time and involves a combination of therapy support, medications and coping strategies.
What is it called when a person avoids situations or people that remind them of the trauma?
Avoidance
Journaling can help process trauma. What is one thing you might write about?
Daily emotions, triggers, or things you’re grateful for
Name one physical response someone might have to a trigger
Sweating, rapid heartbeat, or shaking
True or False: Medication is never used to treat PTSD
False – medications like antidepressants can help manage symptoms.
People often assume you need to directly experience a trauma to develop PTSD whats an other way PTSD can occur?
By witnessing a traumatic event or learning about trauma affecting a loved one
What type of sleep problem is common in individuals with PTSD
Nightmares or insomnia
Exercise is a great coping skill for PTSD. What type of exercise is particularly calming?
Yoga or walking
How can identifying triggers help someone with PTSD?
It allows them to avoid or manage triggers more effectively
What is the role of mindfulness in PTSD treatment?
It helps focus on the present and reduce stress.
What is a common misconception about therapy for PTSD
That therapy only involves talking in reality it includes building coping skills, processing emotions, visualizing, or writing about the event.
Exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring
PTSD can cause someone to feel constantly on edge. What is the clinical term for this?
Hypervigilance
What is one example of self-soothing you can use during a flashback?
Listening to calming music or holding a comforting object
What’s one strategy for managing unexpected triggers in public?
Deep breathing, grounding techniques, or stepping away from the situation
Name one reason why peer support groups can be beneficial for PTSD.
Sharing experiences, reducing isolation, and learning coping strategies.
What is a common misconception about medication for PTSD and what is the reality
Myth: Medication is a "quick fix" or the only solution
Reality: The reality is that medication can help manage symptoms but is often most effective when combined with therapy and other coping strategies.
Medications, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil), may also be used to treat symptoms of PTSD.