Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that some people experience after witnessing a distressing event. They may experience symptomatic relief with time, but others may require treatment to heal. During the healing process, it’s important to receive additional support to cope with the challenges that PTSD brings.
Here, we’ll discuss the importance of PTSD resources to locate support groups across the United States.
How Important Is Support During PTSD Treatment?
Getting PTSD treatment in Florida is a major contributing factor to healing post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms like recurring nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety can create a sense of overwhelm, causing people to isolate themselves from others. As you can imagine, isolation creates a worsening situation, which can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts.
Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are designed to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder reframe the way they think about the traumatic event. It also helps them learn new ways of understanding what happened to process the memory, reducing their reaction to it.
Outside support during the healing process can be beneficial when coupled with PTSD treatment – especially in the case of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), which has a longer treatment plan.
Social support during PTSD treatment can help the healing process by:
- Reducing the risk of self-harm
- Reducing instances of isolation
- Lowering the risk of worsening depression or anxiety
- Regulating emotions
- Encouraging participation in self-building activities
- Replacing negative emotions with positive ones
- Reigniting a sense of confidence and well-being
Can Families Benefit from PTSD Support?
Although PTSD directly affects those who have witnessed or experienced a trauma, it can also affect family members by causing them emotional distress or disrupting the family dynamic. For this reason, family members of PTSD sufferers are encouraged to receive support, too.
Support groups teach family members ways to encourage their loved ones to seek or continue treatment while helping them understand what their family member is going through.
Additional ways support groups can help family members of PTSD sufferers include:
- Providing a safe space where they can confide in others who know what they’re going through
- Teaching coping techniques to navigate the challenges of PTSD
- Providing education about post-traumatic stress disorder and its complications
- Listening to firsthand accounts of PTSD sufferers
Family support networks are offered online and in person, and many are free of charge.
Are There Free PTSD Support Groups?
Yes, there are several low-cost and no-cost PTSD support groups online and in person. This makes attendance much easier, especially for those with family, work, or school obligations. Many of these groups are overseen by nationally accredited organizations or rehabilitation centers.
Peer Support Groups
Peer support groups provide a safe platform for you to discuss PTSD trauma and how it’s affected you with other people who have gone through traumatic experiences.
Joining a peer support group can help you:
- Understand that you are not alone
- Learn ways to cope with the challenges of PTSD
- Develop a sense of trust and companionship
- Learn new ways to view your experience
To find out what’s available in your area, visit the following websites and search for your location.
Anxiety & Depression Association of America
The ADAA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of anxiety and anxiety treatments for children and adults. They frequently host support groups in different locations.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is a mental health organization that provides education, advocacy, and support for people with mental illness. Through their online database, you can locate local support groups for yourself or family members struggling to cope with the challenges of PTSD.
Transformations Treatment Center
The Transformations Treatment Center is an addiction rehabilitation center in Delray Beach, Florida. They provide residential and outpatient treatment programs for individuals suffering from substance use disorders, addiction, or co-occurring mental health issues such as PTSD.
The alumni network is an outpatient group for individuals discharged from inpatient care. They regularly discuss their recovery plans, celebrate recovery milestones, and encourage one another to stay the course. Meetings are held every Wednesday night from 7 to 8 pm. There are also Zoom meetings.
Emergency Help
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, do not wait for treatment or to attend a peer support group. Text or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. This line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is completely confidential.
Are There PTSD Support Groups for Veterans and First Responders?
Yes, military veterans and first responders experience unique traumas that place them at a greater risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Veterans and first responders with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can benefit from attending the following groups while going through treatment:
- Help for Our Heroes: Transformation Treatment Centers hosts the Help for Our Heroes program, run by retired military and first responders. Members in the HFOH group discuss the traumas they’ve experienced and ways to cope with them. The goal of Help for Our Heroes is to honor those who put their lives on the line to protect others while reducing the risk of suicide and substance abuse, which are higher in this population.
- National Center for PTSD: The National Center for PTSD is a part of the VA system that provides resources and help to veterans with PTSD. They offer a list of resources to help you locate your area’s treatment services and support groups.
- NAMI Veterans and Active-Duty Resource Center: As part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this resource center provides information on upcoming meetings for peer-to-peer, family-to-family, or specialty groups for veterans with mental illnesses, including PTSD.
Additional PTSD resources and help for veterans and first responders include:
- American Legion
- First Responders Foundation
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Optum VA Community Care Network for addiction
- Optum VA CCN mental health Insurance
PTSD Treatment at Transformations Treatment Center
PTSD is a difficult condition to live with, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. There is hope for healing. Beyond support groups and free resources are science-backed treatments aimed at restoring your mental well-being and quality of life.
To get started on your road to wellness, contact one of our experts at (800) 270-4315 today.
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