True or False
Almost 8 million people in the United States have PTSD.
True.
_______ is the primary symptom of PTSD, according to research. One way to counteract _____ is by providing a safe environment.
Fear
What is one reason why people with PTSD abuse subsances?
Ex. to either access feelings and/or memories or to escape from feelings and/or memories, to get through the day, to compensate for the pain of PTSD.
PTSD is a type of __________ disorder.
Anxiety.
Men and women will always experience the same PTSD symptoms.
False. Men and women tend to experience different symptoms related to PTSD. This isn't always the case, but the symptoms for women are more often related to avoiding anything or any situation that may trigger uncomfortable feelings or thoughts. Women can be jumpier and have more difficulty dealing with the emotions that the triggers or memories evoke. On the other hand, men often become angrier and may turn to alcohol or drugs to help them cope with their feelings.
_______________ is one simple but powerful way to support someone facing PTSD. Some examples of this include: "I'm not going anywhere", "You will get through this", and "Please know I'm here for you".
Reassurance.
People with PTSD and substance abuse tend to abuse these two dangerous substances.
Cocaine and opiates.
Extreme emotional or psychological upset after tragedy or disaster is also called ________
More men than women develop PTSD.
False. Women tend to develop PTSD more often than men. Statistics show about 4% of men develop PTSD at some point in their life compared to up to 10% of women.
When triggers arise, you can use ________ techniques to regulate your nervous system and feel more present.
Grounding.
The risk of people with PTSD abusing substances is ______ times higher than it is in the general population.
Three.
_________ is a common emotion associated with PTSD.
Anger.
It can take years for PTSD symptoms to begin.
True. It can take several months, even years before the symptoms become obvious enough to interfere with your life.
What are three activities that can help someone with PTSD relax and/or distract them from painful feelings that can overwhelm them?
Yoga, meditation, acupuncture, art therapy, music, etc.
Why does each of these disorders make the other more likely?
If you have PTSD, you are at an increased risk for substance abuse. If you have substance abuse, you are at an increased risk for trauma. It is thus important to try to keep yourself safe to prevent further trauma and substance abuse.
PTSD and substance abuse may have both occurred together. PTSD and substance abuse can be connected in a "downward spiral". Ex. PTSD can lead you to use substance, by using substances, you are at an increased risk for more trauma; if more trauma happens, you may use more substances to "cope" and so on..
____________ symptoms include staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience.
Everyone experiences flashbacks with their PTSD.
False. Some people only have the memory without the strong flashback feelings, and others have no flashbacks at all.
What is one healthy way that you can care for yourself when you're experiencing PTSD symptoms?
Ex. Self-care, participating in a hobby/interest, support system, etc.
How does substance abuse prevent healing from PTSD?
Makes PTSD symptoms worse, prevents you from knowing yourself, does not get your needs met, stalls your emotional development, isolates you, keeps you from coping with feelings, takes away your control, makes you hate yourself, is a way of neglecting yourself.
Healing from PTSD requires ALL of your care and attention-- substance abuse keeps you stuck.
PTSD stands for _______ __________ _____________ _____________.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder