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| Guide to Recovering from PTSD Contents Introduction information copyright | What is guilt? Guilt is the strong feeling of remorse that results from feeling you have done something wrong. The veteran may have carried guilt for many years from service-related experiences. „Survivor’s guilt“ is common among accident victims and veterans who have come home having survived when peers have suffered or died. Feelings that accompany guilt may be shame, disgrace, embarrassment, regret, insecurity, anxiety, low self-esteem, or anger. Guilt colors the way a veteran sees herself and the world. You relate to your family differently now and your job may be affected. You may find it difficult to be „yourself“ in social situations, where before you enjoyed a social life. Guilt may be the result of feeling you should have done something differently when in reality you could not. You may choose now to punish yourself by isolating from those who would support and love you. You may refulse help because to feel better would dishonor the lost. You deserve to talk to someone at a Vet Center. The staff there understand you have been through a great deal and may carry guilt for many reasons. Talking to someone can be a positive first step in the treatment of PTSD.
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What can I do to cope with my feelings of guilt? You can make that first call to a Vet Center and begin to talk about the feelings you have stored up inside. You can use any of the resources at the back of this booklet. You can talk to a pastor, rabbi, priest, or to whatever denomination you are in. With support, counseling, and time, you will learn to find triggers to your feelings of guilt and they will lessen. You will learn to forgive yourself and perhaps others. You will learn you deserve a full and loving life in this wonderful country for which you have dedicated a part of your life in service. You will recognize physical symptoms that may occur when guilt surfaces such as an increased pulse rate, flushed, face, desire to pace, desire to isolate, or a desire to lash out in anger. You can learn health communication skills to better express your guilt and all feelings as you recover. You will learn to prepare and have a safety plan should you feel unsafe toward yourself or anyone else. Medication may help you relax, improve your sleep on a short-term basis or decrease depressive symptoms often associated with guilt. Talk with your counselor about a medication management referral if your symptoms do not improve with talk therapy. PTSD is treatable!
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