If you are a successful survivor but your personal hurricane hits again, and PTSD returns, what should you do? First, make sure you are safe. Physical safety requires effort, friends and may require experts in security, law, or health. When the risks are high, you don't need psychoanalysis. You need a safety net. Second, when physically safe, but full of fear, flashbacks, numbing and self-isolation, remind yourself that you are better off than a rookie who knows nothing about emotional trauma. PTSD destroys your time sense and fools you into thinking that every bad thing is happening now. It isn't. These are aftershocks. Practice what you have learned. Get your conscious mind telling you what you know is good for you: PTSD passes. You are worthwhile. People can understand. There is no shame being human, having fear or deep sadness or confusion.
To read the rest of Dr. Frank Ochberg's response to a question from Joyce Boaz about re-traumatization, see the website. It's a great resource for survivors and therapists and anyone dealing with or interested in learning more about post-traumatic stress and healing.
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