Post-traumatic stress disorder can manifest itself in many ways. It can change the way one operates entirely, and one of the most terrifying characteristics can come in the form of self-destructive behavior. This can include engaging in risky behaviors, such as excessive gambling or promiscuous sex. It might mean abusing substances or causing self-harm. One might drive recklessly or otherwise purposefully put themselves in danger.
Any way you cut it, these activities only cause further instability, pain, suffering, and turmoil. Continuing to engage in such behavior will eventually destroy everyone and everything in the trauma sufferers path, including themselves. Normally, if not addressed and treated, these behaviors will lead to hospitalization and death.
It is important to understand that living through trauma is painful – and, this is no secret. It can feel debilitating, and the aftereffects can linger long after the trauma itself has dissipated, meaning life can still feel messy. However, once one escapes, it is up to him or her to actively work on bettering their circumstances. Although it’s important to have a strong support system, healing must be genuinely sought by the survivor to be effective.
No matter how much outside support one gets to help mitigate the symptoms of PTSD, true healing comes from within. As long as self-destructive behavior is a chosen, suffering will be prolonged, and the prognosis is poor. Those who choose this path choose to live in misery until the life is completely sucked out of them, figuratively first, then literally.
The good news is, we can always decide to change. We can wake up one day, realize that the way we’re handling our pain is unhealthy, and choose to eliminate self-destruction from our lives once and for all. Only we can make that choice. No one can make it for us.
Those who suffer from PTSD are at an increased risk of developing mood, personality, and dissociative disorders. They are at an increased risk of experiencing major depressive episodes and anxiety disorder. But, only if they allow these things to manifest.
Yes, sometimes it is necessary to follow a drug therapy program to curtail post-trauma symptoms. It’s equally important, however, to focus on psycho-behavioral techniques designed to allow oneself to achieve sustainable results. This means it’s just as important to become more self-aware and to love yourself enough to work out the kinks. Drug therapy alleviates pain in the short-term and behavioral therapy keeps it at bay. It helps create long-lasting change.
Practice daily mindfulness techniques. Practice acceptance. And, integrate a self-care routine into your schedule. Journal. Meditate. Exercise. Socialize. Engage in activities which help you better understand who you are and make you happy. Never apologize for taking time for yourself to heal – to yourself or to others. It is important to focus on self-love.
Remember what can happen if you choose to continue on a path of chaos. There will be dire consequences. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow – but, eventually. It is inevitable. And, you are the one who loses in the end. You’ve already been through so much. You deserve to recreate lost happiness and live life fully!
There is happiness inside. There is. Find ways to find it and when you do, revel in it. No one can steal your happiness unless you let them. Never forget that. Choose to change now.