September 9, 2020
How Meditation Can Help PTSD Sufferers
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Did you know that according to the American Psychiatric Association, some 3.5 percent of the U.S. adult population and an estimated one in 11 people will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within their lifetime?
PTSD is due to traumatic events caused by a natural disaster, a serious accident, exposure to combat or terrorist situation, rape, and other violent personal assault. People diagnosed with PTSD suffer from intense feelings of fear and paranoia, which are related to their experiences. If left untreated, sufferers would go through their entire lifetimes haunted by past traumatic events that would recur through flashbacks, nightmares and other triggers.
There are various modes of treatment for PTSD. Meditation is among those that have been proven effective in treating people with this mental health issue.
Why Is Meditation Effective Against PTSD?
There are many reasons why meditation is considered a viable tool to deal with PTSD symptoms. Here are the top 2 reasons:
- Easy to engage in
Unlike a clinical setting, meditation frees patients from the stigma of the clinical setting. They can feel less like patients who are sick and in need of medication.
- Getting in touch with oneself
Experts say that people suffering from PTSD feel as if their minds have become an unsafe and uncontrolled place. Channeling one’s thoughts through meditation and mindfulness helps them become more centered and calm. It helps them focus their mind on the present and not on past traumas.
These 4 Meditation Techniques Can Help People with PTSD
There are various types of meditation that can be used to treat people who are suffering from PTSD. Here are four of them:
- Compassion meditation
Compassion meditation involves the repetition of phrases that are targeted toward increasing empathy and compassion for others. Studies show that 90 minutes of practicing compassion meditation weekly – such as repeating phrases like, “May I be peaceful,” “May I be happy,” and “May I be free from suffering” – induces positive thoughts to PTSD sufferers.
- Transcendental meditation
Transcendental meditation is a form of meditation in which a person silently repeats a given sound, word, or short phrase in their mind for a set period to bring about a state of peace and relaxation. The main goal of the method is to focus one’s mind on the sound of the mantra.
- Mantra meditation
Similar to transcendental meditation, mantra meditation is a method of focusing on the repetition of a mantra to redirect one’s negative thoughts.
- Mindfulness meditation
This type of meditation encourages participants to simply be aware and mindful of the present moment, allowing thoughts to come and go without judgment or reaction. There’s a particular emphasis on deep breathing, which may help ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Why Many Soldiers Develop PTSD
Soldiers have an increased risk of developing mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This is due to their exposure to combat and conflict situations. They are deployed overseas regularly for security, peacekeeping, evacuation, and humanitarian aid missions. Each tour of duty puts them at great risk of encountering stressful situations.
When soldiers are deployed, they are forced to adjust to harsh conditions, stay alert in uncertain situations, and deal with unexpected events. Moreover, they have to deal with the emotional turmoil of leaving their support system and the differences in cultures when stationed abroad.
In worst-case scenarios, they are exposed to dangerous situations and experience events that leave them traumatized even long after they have completed their missions.
Suffering Vets Need Our Support
Sadly, thousands of our veterans continue to suffer from mental health issues but have no access to the treatment they require. They continue to be haunted by the nightmares of the traumatic events they witnessed.
If you are looking for a worthy cause to support, this is it. Giving back to our heroes who have given their all to serve our nation is a noble cause that needs your support.
It does not take much. All you have to do is to donate to us at Veteran Car Donations any vehicle you no longer need or use.
We’ll sell your car through auction and use the generated funds to support the veteran-focused programs of our charity partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations use the funding to provide their veteran beneficiaries and their families with financial assistance, free medical treatment, employment opportunities, family support, and other life-changing benefits.
You don’t have to worry about the towing costs because we’ll pick up the bill for this service.
We’ll also send you by mail your 100-percent tax-deductible sales receipt within 30 days following the sale of your auto donation. With this receipt, you can claim a handsome tax deduction when you file your itemized federal income tax return in the next tax season.
You can make your donation anywhere in the country since our services are available in all 50 states. Just check out the types of vehicles we accept here, and you might just have one or two that you can donate to support our cause.
For more information, check out our FAQs page. Should you want to know more about the program, call us at 877-594-5822 or send us a message online.
It’s Time to Help Our Heroes!
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Not every veteran is lucky enough to have a strong support system when they come home from deployment. This is your chance to provide our heroic veterans with the kind of life they fully deserve. They did not hesitate to answer the call of duty when their names were called. Now, it’s your turn to help them. Don’t let them down. Call us at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form to make your car donation now!
Last Updated: August 24th, 2023