Advice for PTSD when therapy isn't available
September 1, 2021 1:31 PM Subscribe
I have a friend in New Delhi who went through a really traumatic experience with the pandemic there and needs help - but can't do therapy because money is so tight. Can you recommend books or online resources that could be a lifeline right now? Or a free or very very cheap (and feminist) therapist who could help?
I'm not a doctor, but she's experiencing some pretty classic PTSD symptoms like screaming night terrors that are terrifying her kid and partner, overwhelming guilt and shame, irritability, and flashbacks. I'm really worried about her and would love to share some resources with her.
I'm not a doctor, but she's experiencing some pretty classic PTSD symptoms like screaming night terrors that are terrifying her kid and partner, overwhelming guilt and shame, irritability, and flashbacks. I'm really worried about her and would love to share some resources with her.
I know someone who has had great success with tapping. There are many resources online including apps and videos that are easy to follow and tap along.
Here is an overview (wordy) and at the end there are some videos.
posted by lulu68 at 3:43 PM on September 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
Here is an overview (wordy) and at the end there are some videos.
posted by lulu68 at 3:43 PM on September 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
Is a mobile app an option? If she has either Android of iOS there is PTSD Coach, designed for vets and military service members. There are loads of different guided exercises in there, she can find the ones that are most personally soothing to her and use to abate some of the symptoms.
On the non-tech side: if she is feeling triggered she can try Alternate Nostril Breathing to bring herself off of the alert ledge. I learned this from the psychiatrist who diagnosed me with PTSD and was super skeptical at first; it worked for me though.
The only issue with any self-help approach is that PTSD is exhausting and keeping up with exercises can be difficult, especially if she's in any kind of crisis mode. Good luck to your friend, hope she finds what works for her.
posted by JaneTheGood at 6:22 PM on September 1, 2021
On the non-tech side: if she is feeling triggered she can try Alternate Nostril Breathing to bring herself off of the alert ledge. I learned this from the psychiatrist who diagnosed me with PTSD and was super skeptical at first; it worked for me though.
The only issue with any self-help approach is that PTSD is exhausting and keeping up with exercises can be difficult, especially if she's in any kind of crisis mode. Good luck to your friend, hope she finds what works for her.
posted by JaneTheGood at 6:22 PM on September 1, 2021
Do they have access to a medical doctor or pharmacist? Are any medical interventions available?
I don't know about it's availability in India, but Prazosin is a frequently tolerable (regarding side effects) antihypertensive medication that often assists folks dealing specifically with nightmares/terrors. It has been used as blood pressure medication for a while, and the anti-nightmare properties are not well explained, but fairly well documented and it is regularly used off label to treat PTSD symptoms.
Benzodiazepines are to be approached with caution, but if your description is accurate, the argument can be made that this would be an appropriate situation to utilize them, especially for sleep (getting a good nights rest while in the throes of PTSD is pretty amazing shit, and arguably foundational to other treatments).
posted by furnace.heart at 7:58 PM on September 1, 2021
I don't know about it's availability in India, but Prazosin is a frequently tolerable (regarding side effects) antihypertensive medication that often assists folks dealing specifically with nightmares/terrors. It has been used as blood pressure medication for a while, and the anti-nightmare properties are not well explained, but fairly well documented and it is regularly used off label to treat PTSD symptoms.
Benzodiazepines are to be approached with caution, but if your description is accurate, the argument can be made that this would be an appropriate situation to utilize them, especially for sleep (getting a good nights rest while in the throes of PTSD is pretty amazing shit, and arguably foundational to other treatments).
posted by furnace.heart at 7:58 PM on September 1, 2021
https://www.vandrevalafoundation.com/ provide mental health support in India and could offer some holding space for her?
posted by coffee_monster at 12:17 AM on September 2, 2021
posted by coffee_monster at 12:17 AM on September 2, 2021
The Feminist Survival Podcast featuring Amelia and Emily Nagoski may include relevant content.
posted by cCranium at 9:14 AM on September 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by cCranium at 9:14 AM on September 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
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Tara Brach has been helpful for me in tough times. She's a Buddhist-flavored white lady, but is a serious scholar whose talks show respect for biomedicine and other major spiritual and secular wisdom traditions. Her talks and guided mediations are available online for free. Here is a talk on trauma that also links to other resources for processing trauma.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 2:10 PM on September 1, 2021 [1 favorite]