PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Self-Help and Coping

Available en Español

Stress is a common reaction after trauma. Many people feel down, have trouble sleeping or feel "on edge." If you take direct action to cope with stress reactions it puts you in a position of power. Self-help and coping skills are also helpful if you completed PTSD therapy. Good coping takes practice. This section includes information about stress reactions, ways you can cope and tools to help you manage stress.

Learn About Coping

• Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions
  When trauma survivors take direct action to cope with their stress reactions, they put themselves in a position of power. Learn about healthy coping strategies that you can use after a trauma.
• Negative Coping and PTSD
  If you have the symptoms of PTSD, you may try to deal with problems in ways that cause more harm than good. This is called negative coping. Negative coping means you use quick fixes that may make a situation worse in the long run.

Coping Tips for Veterans

• Tips for Veterans Coping With Large-Scale Traumatic Events
  Learn ways to cope with emotions and ongoing stress that may arise after war, terrorism, mass violence or disasters occur in the U.S. or abroad.
• Coping with Current Events in Ukraine
  Veterans who served in conflicts and are experiencing strong emotions related to Ukraine may benefit from these tips on how to cope and manage distress.

Other Self-Help Strategies

• Peer Support Groups
  Locate and learn more about peer support groups to help those diagnosed with PTSD or caring for someone with PTSD.
• Dogs and PTSD
  Learn about the role of dogs in managing symptoms and PTSD recovery.

Tools to Help Manage Symptoms

• Coping With Unwanted Thoughts: RESET for Active-duty Soldiers
  RESET is a 1-hour video training that aims to help soldiers cope with intrusive (unwanted) thoughts following deployment.
• PTSD Coach: Mobile App
  This mobile app has self-assessments, symptom-tracking, and coping skills to help you address and monitor stress. Available for iOS and Android.
• PTSD Coach Online
  A series of online video coaches will guide you through 17 tools to help you manage stress. PTSD Coach Online is used on a computer, rather than a mobile device, and therefore can offer tools that involve writing.
• Mindfulness Coach: Mobile App
  This app includes mindfulness exercises to practice on your own or with guidance and strategies to help overcome challenges to mindfulness practice. Includes a log and reminders to support your mindfulness practice. Available for iOS.

You May Also Be Interested In

PTSD Coach

Learn about and manage PTSD symptoms.

Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment (PDF)

A complete guide to PTSD basics.

Mobile Apps

Apps for self-help, education, and support after trauma.