I've Been Diagnosed with PTSD. Now What?

If you have PTSD, you have treatment options. There are talk therapies and
medications that have been shown to work in multiple studies. Research tells us that for the average patient, trauma-focused psychotherapies are the most effective treatment for PTSD. "Trauma-focused" means that the therapy focuses on your memory of the traumatic event or what it means to you. There are other talk therapies that do not focus on your trauma. Learn about the research for different talk therapies and what you can expect in treatment.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT teaches you how change the upsetting thoughts and feelings you have had since your trauma.
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
PE teaches you to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations that you have been avoiding since your trauma.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR helps you process and make sense of your trauma while paying attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound (like a finger waving side to side, a light, or a tone).
Written Exposure Therapy (WET)
WET helps you find new ways to think about your trauma and its meaning through writing assignments you complete during sessions. This is a brief, 5-session therapy.

PTSD Bytes Join us for these 12-minute-or-less talks with experts about technology resources you can use or share to help with PTSD. PTSD and Relationships PTSD impacts both partners in a couple. Dr. Leslie Morland and Dr. Kayla Knopp describe common ways PTSD shows up in intimate relationships and how couples can get help, including using mobile apps and online programs.

PTSD Resources for Family Members
Find out what resources are available to family members and friends who care about someone with PTSD. Dr. Steven Sayers offers guidance to support your loved one, as well as resources for self-care.

Treating Trauma with Weights

About 12 million Americans are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, with the symptoms of PTSD contributing to long-term health issues. But many are finding relief through a common form of exercise, lifting a burden through weightlifting. CBS Saturday Morning interviewed VA Boston's Dr. James Whitworth.

January is National Self-Love Month

Self-Love Month is in January. It’s much too easy to get carried away by life’s troubles and forget to appreciate yourself. Self-Love Month is a time to appreciate yourself and invest time in conscious physical and psychological growth. It involves prioritizing your happiness and well-being. Self-Love Month is all about building self-worth and getting what you deserve.

Learn more about finding a therapist or provider to help with your PTSD diagnosis.