PTSD Prevention Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

When tragedy struck me — my wife was brutally stabbed to death by her eldest son — I wasn't prepared. And, for many years, I suffered with the debilitating effects of chronic and ongoing trauma. Rather than suffering as I did, why not try to prevent PTSD or, at the very least, catch it at an early stage? Preparedness is key.

As a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, our already over-stressed healthcare system will face yet another crisis: a mental health crisis, with a preponderance of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) that, if left untreated, can become chronic, delayed, or complex PTSD. By keeping an eye on our stress levels and looking out for PTSD symptoms — flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety — we are better equipped to detect and treat the disorder in its early stages.

PTSD is a stress disorder. PTSD is a normal reaction to abnormally horrid events. PTSD is not a mental illness. Specific evidence-based wellness practices have demonstrated their ability to improve our functioning and may help us prevent the escalation of acute stress to post-traumatic stress.

Physical practices: disease prevention (sleep, healthy eating, physical activity, social distancing — not social isolation), meditation and deep breathing, body scan and relaxation, grounding techniques, EFT (tapping), yoga, and nutraceuticals. Mental practices: cognitive behavior therapy, supportive counseling or coaching, self-imposed structure, taking breaks, creativity, laughter, music, positive self-talk and reframing, and gratitude exercises.

Emotional practices: coaching or expert companionship for emotion self-regulation, deep breathing for relaxation, practicing acceptance, and shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Spiritual practices: meditate, pray, deepen your relationship with your spiritual self, keep the faith, and keep hope alive — we're all in this together and we will, somehow, manage to get through it.

It's best to prevent the causes of trauma whenever possible. When we can't prevent trauma, it's best to prevent our alarming response to it. I hope this has helped you identify practices that may help you prevent PTSD. But, remember, if you need help, seek it. Help is readily available; and you — each and every one of you — deserve the best in this life.