Treating PTSD: Say It Out Loud!

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So many times in my own healing I got stumped and stalled because I just didn’t know what to say, or how to say it — or even, whom to say it to. Does that happen to you?

I could spend weeks or even months mired in my own muck because I couldn’t figure out how the hell to communicate it. You can imagine the negative effect this had on my healing. I sat in the same miserable place for weeks while the emotions swirled, thoughts ran rampant and nothing found a way to release.

But you don’t have to do that! In staying on the healing path you can’t let this sort of linguistic obstacle permanently hijack your progress. Moving healing forward means making the effort to find the words, choose the person, decide the time, and pick the place to let it all hang out. Keeping PTSD, trauma, symptoms and effects to yourself only increases feelings of isolation, helplessness, despair, hopelessness and then you know what else: powerlessness!

Don’t fall into the silence trap. When your healing stalls because you can’t figure out the 5Ws of speaking get back to basics:

• Who - consider the people in your support system, include family, friends, colleagues, professionals, and other survivors. Narrow the list down to whom you feel most comfortable with.
• What  – make a list of the thoughts/emotions most bothering you; get clarity on what needs to be shared. Prioritize the list; no need to tackle it all at once.
• When – set a date on which to share your experience; give yourself a deadline and stick to it.
• Where – choose a place that feels safe and secure.
• Why – be clear in yourself of the reason you need to speak out. Keeping your silence only hurts you and let’s the trauma win.
• Bonus: How – make an outline of what you wish to express. Make notes, hightlight points, ideas and topics and feel free to refer to them.

If you follow the steps above you’ll end up with a blueprint to move out of your stalled space. And remember, no need to wing it once you get into a position to have a conversation. Speaking is tough and while you must do it you may as well give yourself the tools necessary to help ease the moment. Take your notes, write a script, make a diagram — do whatever it takes to get the ideas out of your head and into the world!

Tip #2 for Staying on the Healing Path: Don’t fall silent. What’s in you needs to come out — the fear, anxiety, panic, depression, sadness, etc. needs to get out of your mind and into the world. When you stray from the healing path let your own words guide you back.

Need more tips and tricks for getting the conversation going? Check out our series of posts on How to Talk About Trauma. Start here.

What have you discovered about talking that makes it easier? Share your ideas so we all can learn from each other.

(Photo acknowledgement in Flickr.)

Tags: Staying on the Healing Path