Page 138 - A Soldiers Exposition

Group therapy helps you build relationships with others who understand what you've been through. You
learn to deal with emotions such as shame, guilt, anger, rage, and fear. Sharing with the group also can
help you build self-confidence and trust. You'll learn to focus on your present life, rather than feeling
overwhelmed by the past.

Brief psychodynamic psychotherapy:

In this type of therapy, you learn ways of dealing with emotional conflicts caused by your trauma. This
therapy helps you understand how your past affects the way you feel now.

Your therapist can help you:

▪ Identify what triggers your stressful memories and other symptoms.
▪ Find ways to cope with intense feelings about the past.
▪ Become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, so you can change your reactions to them.
▪ Raise your self-esteem.

Family therapy:

PTSD can affect your whole family. Your kids or your partner may not understand why you get angry
sometimes, or why you're under so much stress. They may feel scared, guilty, or even angry about your
condition.

Family therapy is a type of counseling that involves your whole family. A therapist helps you and your
family to communicate, maintain good relationships, and cope with tough emotions. Your family can learn
more about PTSD and how it is treated.

In family therapy, each person can express his or her fears and concerns. It's important, to be honest
about your feelings and to listen to others. You can talk about your PTSD symptoms and what triggers
them. You also can discuss the important parts of your treatment and recovery. By doing this, your family
will be better prepared to help you.

You may consider having individual therapy for your PTSD symptoms and family therapy to help you with
your relationships.

How long does treatment last?

CBT treatment for PTSD often lasts for 3 to 6 months. Other types of treatment for PTSD can last longer.
If you have other mental health problems as well as PTSD, treatment may last for 1 to 2 years or longer.

What if someone has PTSD and another disorder? Is the treatment different?

It is very common to have PTSD at that same time as another mental health problem. Depression, alcohol
or drug abuse problems, panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders often occur along with PTSD.

In many cases, the PTSD treatments described above will also help with the other disorders. The best
treatment results occur when both PTSD and the other problems are treated together rather than one
after the other.