Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can affect virtually every aspect of your life. Fortunately, it is possible to recover, say the professionals at Counseling Solutions of Alaska in Anchorage. They are known for their compassionate approach to offering assistance, and here, they discuss some of the common causes of PTSD. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: 3 Common Causes

1. Being Assaulted

Assault survivors might experience a range of negative side effects beyond the initial incident. Many people find themselves triggered by sights, sounds, or even smells harkening back to what occurred. This often results in a panicked feeling, which may mimic the emotions experienced during the attack. 

2. Witnessing a Violent Attack

Even if you were not assaulted, witnessing a violent attack can also result in PTSD. Simply seeing someone else be harmed and feeling powerless to stop it can cause severe anxiety and lasting symptoms and is considered by professionals to be an indirect form of trauma. 

3. Being Stationed in an Active War Zone

Many veterans also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. An active war zone is threatened from every conceivable angle, resulting in physical and mental hyperarousal that sometimes doesn’t fade once the soldier has gone home. Additionally, service members frequently witness and experience traumatic events.

What You Can Do to Recover

While it’s not possible to forget the trauma that occurred, there are some steps people dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder can take to recover. Therapy is beneficial for many survivors, as it teaches healthy coping mechanisms for when your emotional response is triggered. Additionally, by eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep, you’ll feel more mentally fit and be able to cope with the symptoms better. You can even join a support group, which will put you in touch with people who had similar experiences.  

Counseling Solutions of Alaska offers Anchorage residents the tools they need to combat mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Call (907) 644-8044 today for more information on scheduling a counseling session with a therapist. You can also visit the website to see the full range of services for yourself.