PTSD and trauma recovery

Today's find of the day is: Grief

.     Three key elements to trauma or PTSD recovery are: 

The way you react.
The way you should react.
The internal perspective you need to take to bridge that gap.

Answer those as simply as possible. Evaluate with yourself the importance of differing perspectives. Prioritize for yourself and for your recovery.

.     Different people act and react differently and while some may not need help, often the rest of us do. One key element in recovery always seems to be support and counseling. Often times it takes an outside perspective to be honest with you about your reactions. Sometimes we jump to anger or tears before considering healthier means of expression. Not that years are unhealthy, but like mother always used to say: "too much is too much" and "moderation is key."
.     The most successful treatment program to date is AA's 12 step program. It isn't exactly fit to PTSD or trauma recovery but it has some over-arching principles that, when taken from a more generalized perspective are not only applicable but beneficial.

The twelve steps are:

Admit powerlessness.
A power greater than one's self can exist in your life and help.
Decide to turn control over to that power as you understand it.
Take moral inventory.
Admitted to self, and another the exact nature of what's wrong.
With understanding of self comes the ability to change character.
Internally ask for strength against shortcomings.
List those who have been harmed by our own shortcomings.
Make amends wherever possible, avoid injuring others.
Continue to self analyse, where wrong, promptly admit it.
Continually prey for the knowledge and power to carry on a better way.
Help someone.

Now, I'm just summarising here, but in very general terms, these are the twelve steps. 

.     Again, however, it is extremely important to seek the support of others. Opening up and discussing what happened and how it makes you feel is the most positive thing you can do. Be firm about your desire or need to do this. If someone is not listening, is interrupting or is overbearing with their opinions on how you should feel or think, find someone else, someone who is willing to listen. Then talk.
.     There are five major steps to grief and there is no way to determine how long it takes to get through each. Take the time to understand yourself and the ways in which you are thinking, your beliefs cannot be categorised and organised as much as they can and must be felt. I have known many who found the most difficult stage to get through was the depression stage.

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

.     Sometimes when a person is stuck to deep or too long in one stage or another, medication can help take the edge off, perhaps numb the pain enough to continue working on the healing process. If you suspect this might be the case: seek a professional, articulate your thoughts and feelings, discuss with them progress and your feelings. Sometimes merely summarizing your frustrations into an organized fashion can be just the nudge your brain needs to say "how silly I've been, all hung up here! Time to move on!" If not, a professional's job is to help. Don't be afraid to ask them to do so, and don't be afraid to admit that their brand of help might not be the right fit for you.