This post is concerned with the topic of Coping Skills as a core part of PTSD recovery. Chapter 5 in the Recovery Guide is titled “Why Coping Skills?” A coping skill is any thought, behavior, or specific skill that helps us deal with stress, daily hassles, symptoms, and painful emotions. In the midst of a traumatic experience, a person’s coping skills become overwhelmed, and extreme behaviors that are more accurately termed “survival skills” are utilized. After PTSD symptoms become dominant in the person’s life, coping with even routine daily stress is a major challenge. At this point, many people use all-or-nothing strategies such as complete withdrawal and isolation, aggression and violence, depression (as self-protection), alcohol and drug abuse, and risky or extreme behaviors to reduce tension.
From the perspective of the person dealing with PTSD, it just seems natural to continue using the behaviors that helped them survive, because “they work(ed).” A new difficulty arises in which short term solutions are used as long term strategies. This approach to coping can get some immediate results and achieve immediate desired outcomes. However, the long term fallout for the person’s life becomes eventually disastrous.
As a result of these problems, many PTSD treatment approaches include the development of coping skills as a core element of the recovery process. Basic skills include Deep Breathing to calm the body, taking a Time Out to reduce impulsive behavior and give some time to think things through, and also mental focus skills for thinking more clearly and making better decisions.
As a person becomes more and more proficient in identifying stressful situations and applying the more healthy coping skills, the negative consequences of many symptoms begin to diminish. A sense of healthy self-control returns and confidence increases. Healthy appropriate coping skills are an essential part of good normal life, and must be rebuilt as part of PTSD recovery for lasting mental health. This takes practice, practice, and more practice. Persistence is your friend on this part of the journey.
