Dr. John A. King explains why people with PTSD have nightmares and flashbacks, then offers four concrete strategies: keep a list of computer tasks to redirect your mind, use the gym with headphones and Netflix as an escape, stack books by your bed for uplifting reading, and adopt a mindset of preparation over victimhood.
So many of us that deal with PTSD on a daily basis, we have to deal with nightmares or lack of sleep on a nightly basis. So what do you do with that? Well, first of all, you know it's going to come. It's more than likely it's going to happen on a very regular basis. So a couple of things I do is, first thing I have is in my office, I've got a list of things. That I can sit at the computer and churn out, and that gets me out of my head and into something positive. Second is I'm a part of a local gym. I can get myself up, put my headphones on, watch Netflix, work out, and get about making the day a positive. Third is I have a pile of books that sit outside in the lounge room or by my bed. I just sit there and read anything to fill my head with something positive. I think the worst thing you can do is wallow around and be a victim about it. It serves no purpose. Be prepared, plan, overcome.
