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| Guide to Recovering from PTSD Contents Introduction information copyright | What is Crisis? Crisis is an internal and external response that may occur following a stressful event which is perceived as a threat to the individual. A crisis response may be painful as powerful emotions are experienced. An unexpected death may move one to a point of crisis. Living through battle, life as a prisoner, life on a base in the states or abroad, or life on a ship or submarine would suggest some daily crisis of various magnitudes. You have lived through many crises if you are reading this booklet. Some crisis responses are more difficult to overcome than others. Your individual response to crisis is unique to you and the training, or lack of it, in your life. You may at times feel out of control with what may seem a small every-day crisis when compared to the crisis of head pound and feelings of panic ensue. Where you once picking up the kids on time! What is this all about? You suddenly feel vulnerable and out of control. The Vet Center staff is uniquely qualified to help you review how the crisis you experienced while serving your country has affected you and now your family. The counselors will assist you with diagnoing PTSD after meeting with the veteran. This service is free. When one has a diagnosis of PTSD your threshold for crisis is lower. You need support and communication with people who understand. Because of this 2nd edition you can also easily plug into the MOPH (Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation).
| What can I do to cope with crisis?
You can learn to spot triggers to anxiety that cause you to become susceptible to a crisis response. You can learn positive coping skills to use when triggers occur such as rhythmic breathing and calling a specific support person. Once you have learned effective coping skills, problem solved to use them and have seen positive results, you can better face any crisis. The counselors at the Vet Center are trained to help veterans develop skills necessary to cope with crisis so that you can live without fear. You will develop a sense of hope and self-confidence in your abiltiy to handle a crisis. You will learn to talk about how you respond to anxiety because of experiences of the past, and you will make a safety plan to use every day. An effective safety plan includes names and numbers of support people to call who will be there for you immediately should any crisis arise. If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself and others, there is a crisis. Do not wait. Use your safety plan!
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