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Feature Topic
Holidays and PTSD
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The holiday season is often difficult for people with PTSD, but there are healthy ways to cope and manage stress.
Here are some tips from our clinicians that can help you manage your PTSD symptoms over this holiday season:
- Don't overschedule. Leave time for yourself.
- Make a plan to get things done. Set small, doable goals.
- When stressed, remind yourself of what has helped in the past.
- Use the tools from PTSD Coach app or PTSD Coach Online to help you manage stress
- Reach out for support if you need it. Know you can rely on for help. If your symptoms are getting worse or you feel down, reach out to your provider or
- Call the Crisis Line.
If you know someone with PTSD, there are things you can do to make sure the holiday season is pleasant and enjoyable for everyone.
- Educate yourself: Download and read Understand PTSD and PTSD Treatment (PDF), to learn more about how PTSD affects your loved one.
- Talk to your family member about what they need to feel comfortable during the holidays. If your loved one needs services, call Coaching into Care for advice in talking to them about treatment.
- Keep important resources at hand, such as the Veterans Crisis Line, a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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For Providers
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Consult with PTSD Experts
The PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting.
This program is now open to Community Providers.
PTSD Lecture Series
Free continuing education credits for our monthly lecture series:
12/21 at 2 pm ET - Andrew Saxon, MD, on Treating Tobacco Use in Patients with PTSD
- Non-VA Providers: Register at TRAIN.
- VA Providers: Register at TMS.
Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET.
Subscribe to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.
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Research at the Center
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Evaluating PTSD apps for Veterans and family
Investigators continue to examine how the PTSD Coach and PTSD Family Coach mobile phone apps may help trauma survivors and their significant others. Ongoing studies are testing the apps' impact on Veterans' PTSD symptoms and treatment engagement, as well as relationship quality and family members' well-being.
Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.
Thank you,
The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD
May you and your loved ones find peace and joy during the holiday season.
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