These are some of the latest (and strangest) PTSD treatments

As long as there have been wars there have been soldiers dealing with the after-effects of what they’ve seen or done during these events. But it’s only in recent generations that those effects have been noticed or even validated for the true gravity that they cause. Most often existing through PTSD – or post-traumatic stress disorder – more and more soldiers are diagnosed with this every day. Luckily, with more diagnoses come more help and a better understanding of how PTSD treatments.

Pain can be a powerful trigger, and alleviating that pain – physically and mentally – can help the body to relax. It makes sense in theory, sure, but apparently, it’s also proving to be true in scientific studies. A naval hospital in San Diego has been treating veterans with PTSD by having them relive certain events while receiving pain medications. So far, the research is working. Time will tell if this proves to be a powerful method on into the future. 

Don’t knock it until you try it, professionals say. EDMR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, can be used to lessen the intensity and emotional response to trauma. This particular type of therapy is used to treat emotional symptoms, teaching patients to channel their feelings, and therefore lower the negative effects of PTSD. 

Yes … we’re talking about those types of mushrooms, often known as simply “shrooms.” In any case, the psychedelic substance can help allow patients to either determine what’s bothering them, or help process negative feelings. Psychedelic directly translates to “mind revealing,” and when done in a medical setting, can prompt or streamline therapy options. 

As unbelievable as it sounds, this has become common practice among psychologists/psychiatrists with new research supporting the efforts. 

What if you could hypnotize your PTSD away? Some professionals are saying they can do just that. In most cases, several rounds of hypnosis are needed, allowing you to make small mental changes, leading toward one big, positive change: moving against your PTSD. 

We’re not talking about “normal” talk-to-your-counselor therapy (though that, too, is a common cure for PTSD), we’re talking about new-age options. There is equine therapy, where you ride horses and learn to care for them, horticulture therapy, where you garden and tend to plants, wilderness therapy, chess therapy, and acting it all out, where prompts are used to help you riff and learn what’s actually bubbling beneath the surface. This role-playing therapy has been increasingly used for adults with PTSD in recent years. 

Finally, there are outward treatments to help reduce the effects of PTSD, like acupuncture. Herbal medicines, burning certain plants or herbs, breathing exercises, and yoga have also served as PTSD-approved treatments in recent years. 

Much like medical injuries, individual reactions vary in levels of success and it’s up to the individual to pursue methods of treatment that they believe in and find helpful with their PTSD.