No dejes que el TEPT te defina - ¡Lucha!

You’ve really been through the wringer. I mean, really. You’ve experienced an especially traumatic situation and have proven that you can rise above the ashes. At least, so you thought. The waters are calmer now but you feel more frazzled than ever. Why is this? Could you be experiencing the effects of Trastorno de estrés postraumático¿comúnmente conocido como TEPT?

Hay algunos signos fáciles de detectar del TEPT. Identificar los síntomas es el primer paso para buscar la ayuda necesaria para transformar tu vida y liberarte de las cadenas del trauma de una vez por todas.

Aumento de la ansiedad o la paranoia. Often, when faced with particularly tragic circumstances, we are overwhelmed by anxiety. We go into ‘panic mode’. This is a natural defense mechanism we are all equipped with. Our mind and body go on high alert, providing us with temporary resources to power through the situation and come out on the other end. Unfortunately, however, all too commonly, if we experienced especially taxing circumstances, we are left with these lingering effects in the aftermath. Because we’ve grown used to functioning on all cylinders, it’s difficult for us to relax. Even if we try to remind ourself that the worst of it is over, this physical reaction is hard to shake.

Depresión o falta de interés. Because we were in panic mode for so long, chances are we didn’t have time to pursue our interests or pay attention to the things in our life that once defined us. When the dust settles, it is common to revert to a state of total disinterest in the activities or pursuits that we once enjoyed. Sometimes, instead of experiencing lingering anxiety, our mind and body are so spent that we begin to feel overly lethargic. As we relax our muscles, we can experience aches and pains, and it’s just not as easy as it once was to enjoy life’s gifts.

Un fuerte deseo de escapar. A natural defense mechanism we’re also equipped with that kicks into high gear amid trauma is the ability to mentally escape our circumstances even when we physically can’t. The ability to escape mentally helps make the physical part more bearable. If we can convince ourself that things are really not that bad, we can continue to power through. This also isn’t an easy coping mechanism to drop when we’ve finally overcome the trauma. Often, we are left with a desire to escape, even though at a conscious level we know and understand that life has changed for the better. So, we continue to try to escape life by numbing ourself with substances or indulging in other addictions such as compulsive shopping or binge-eating. We do these things despite knowing better and realizing they will only temporarily relieve the pain. We are used to allowing this temporarily relief into our life in order to continue braving the storm.

Ever hear the saying, ‘Old habits die hard’? This is generally the case with those who experience symptoms of PTSD. It is difficult to just ‘snap out of it’ and move on—impossible sometimes to do by ourself. Just because the roles have changed, and we’ve been freed physically, we can still be tied to the situation mentally, unable to break free.

Es habitual volverse adicto a las sustancias y a la toxicidad si capeamos el trauma durante el tiempo suficiente y luchar contra el estrés postraumático puede ser para toda la vida. Sin embargo, hay cosas que podemos hacer para mantenernos activos en nuestra recuperación y vivir nuestra vida al máximo. Hay esperanza.

Lo más importante que hay que recordar es que el trauma ha desaparecido. El alcance de nuestra recuperación tiene que ver con nuestra fuerza de voluntad para extinguir por completo el dolor de este trauma y seguir adelante, completamente liberados de sus cadenas. Puede resultar muy útil llevar un diario sobre los casos en los que nos sentimos especialmente atrapados por los síntomas, incluyendo nuestros pensamientos y sentimientos en esos momentos y lo que hicimos para sobrellevarlos, y presentar nuestras notas a un consejero o terapeuta con formación para ayudar en la recuperación de traumas. También existen grupos de apoyo y encuentros dedicados específicamente a la recuperación y el manejo del TEPT.

La meditación y los ejercicios de relajación, como el yoga, también pueden ayudar. Es importante tratar de relajarse lo más posible, y la relajación empieza en la mente. Taking a long walk to clear our head or picking up a book rather than a substance the next time a craving hits can transform our habits and help create a healthier state of being. Staying active and engaging with others even when we would rather stay in bed has also proven to be helpful. Just don’t push it too much—add in socialization little by little.

Tu recuperación sólo está limitada por tu voluntad de aceptar las cartas que la vida te ha repartido y seguir adelante. Don’t let trauma and PTSD define who you are. Debes comprender que eres mucho más que eso. Eres fuerte, única, hermosa y capaz. Defiéndete. You’re worth it!