Be Our Partner! Book a Free Consultation Now! Become a Member > Get Involved >
Health Conditions > Health Articles > Find a Practitioner > Events >

Home  /  Health Conditions  /  PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

PTSD can follow a car accident, an assault, combat, a disaster or years on the front line as a first responder. It is a real, common and treatable condition — and trauma-focused therapy and prescribed medicines can help.

If you are thinking about suicide or about hurting yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat online. It is free, confidential and open 24/7. Veterans, service members and their families can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255, for the Veterans Crisis Line (NIMH, Veterans Crisis Line). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (NIMH). After a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline (call or text 1-800-985-5990) offers immediate crisis counseling (NIMH).

Alcohol, marijuana and other drugs are not a safe way to cope. VA experts link using them to manage PTSD or sleep problems with a higher risk of thoughts about suicide and of suicide attempts (VA National Center for PTSD). Mixing sedating medicines such as benzodiazepines with alcohol, street drugs or opioid pain medicines can be fatal (VA National Center for PTSD). If someone has taken too much of anything, call 911 and see our Drug Overdose guide.

Never stop or change a psychiatric medicine on your own. Stopping suddenly can cause unpleasant withdrawal-type effects, and some medicines need to be lowered gradually (DailyMed drug label). Talk with your prescriber first. See our Medication Safety guide.

If someone you know is thinking about suicide: ask them directly, listen without judgment, help keep them safe by making lethal items harder to reach, and help them connect with 988 (NIMH).

What is PTSD?

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a frightening event. Most people recover over time; those who keep having symptoms may be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (NIMH). VA experts put it simply: with PTSD, the world feels unsafe (VA National Center for PTSD). It is not a sign of weakness. Stress reactions after trauma are normal, and most people recover in time (VA National Center for PTSD).

PTSD can only develop after you go through or see a life-threatening event (VA National Center for PTSD). It is also possible to develop it after learning that a relative or close friend experienced trauma (NIMH). And sometimes the event is not obviously dangerous — the sudden death of a loved one can bring it on (MedlinePlus).

Symptoms

PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the event, but may not appear until months or years later, and they can come and go over many years (VA National Center for PTSD). They fall into four groups:

  • Reliving the event (intrusion): flashbacks, nightmares, and upsetting memories or thoughts, sometimes with a racing heart or sweating. Reminders — news reports, seeing an accident, hearing fireworks — can set them off (NIMH, VA National Center for PTSD).
  • Avoidance: staying away from places, people, objects, thoughts or feelings that remind you of what happened — for example, not driving after a serious car accident (NIMH). Some people keep very busy or avoid getting help so they don’t have to think or talk about it (VA National Center for PTSD).
  • Changes in mood and thinking: trouble remembering parts of the event, negative thoughts about yourself or the world, strong guilt, blame or shame, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, feeling cut off from people, or finding it hard to feel happiness (NIMH).
  • Feeling on edge (arousal and reactivity): being easily startled, tense or always on guard, trouble sleeping or concentrating, irritability and angry outbursts, or risky, reckless or destructive behavior (NIMH).

Everyone experiences symptoms in their own way (VA National Center for PTSD). Children can show it differently: children under 6 may wet the bed after being toilet trained, stop talking, act out the scary event in play, or become unusually clingy (NIMH). Adults with PTSD often also have depression, substance use or an anxiety disorder (NIMH); our Depression and Anxiety guides cover those.

Complex PTSD

You may hear the term “complex PTSD.” VA experts use it for trauma that was long-lasting, happened in childhood, and involved harm from another person — especially someone you trusted. People may then have PTSD symptoms plus changes in how they relate to others and manage strong emotions, and some dissociate (separate from reality) (VA National Center for PTSD). The NHS lists child abuse or neglect, ongoing domestic violence or abuse, and repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse as causes (NHS).

The experts do not fully agree on how to classify it. The U.S. diagnostic system has no separate complex PTSD diagnosis, while the World Health Organization’s system added one in 2022 (VA National Center for PTSD). The practical news is hopeful: VA says the trauma-focused treatments that work for PTSD also treat complex PTSD, and are a good place to start (VA National Center for PTSD).

Who gets PTSD?

  • Anyone, at any age — including combat veterans and people who have experienced or witnessed assault, abuse, an accident, a disaster or a terror attack. About 6 of every 100 people will have PTSD at some point, and women are more likely than men to develop it (NIMH).
  • Risk factors include earlier trauma (especially in childhood), being hurt or seeing others hurt or killed, feeling intense horror or helplessness, little support afterward, added stress such as pain, injury or the loss of a loved one, a job or a home, and a personal or family history of mental illness or substance use. Protective factors include support from friends, family or support groups, having a coping strategy, and learning to feel okay with your actions during the event (NIMH).
  • The NHS notes that some jobs — police officer, paramedic, healthcare worker — carry a risk, as do serious accidents, assault, abuse, intensive care stays, a difficult birth and war (NHS). We say more about veterans and first responders below.

Stress reactions, acute stress and PTSD

After a traumatic event it is normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge or sleep badly; most people start to feel better after a few weeks (VA National Center for PTSD). Acute stress disorder and PTSD have similar criteria; acute stress disorder lasts less than a month, while PTSD means symptoms lasting a month or more, and early treatment of acute stress disorder may prevent progression to PTSD (FP Essentials review, 2025). For PTSD, symptoms must last longer than a month, be severe enough to interfere with daily life, and not be explained by a medicine, substance use or another illness; some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms for a year or longer (NIMH).

How PTSD is diagnosed

Only a mental health provider can diagnose PTSD; you can start by asking any provider, including your primary care doctor, for an assessment, and VA offers a short 5-question self-screen (VA National Center for PTSD, VA National Center for PTSD). There is no blood test or scan: an assessment is a conversation and a set of questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. A short check may take 15 minutes, and a thorough one 1 to 2 hours (VA National Center for PTSD). To be diagnosed, an adult needs at least one re-experiencing symptom, one avoidance symptom, two arousal and reactivity symptoms and two mood and thinking symptoms for at least a month (NIMH). If a head injury was part of the event, our Head Trauma guide may help; VA notes that the best PTSD treatments work even if you have symptoms from a brain injury (VA National Center for PTSD).

PTSD is treatable. VA says that for many people treatment can get rid of symptoms altogether, and others have fewer or less intense symptoms (VA National Center for PTSD). See a provider if your symptoms last longer than a month, are very upsetting, or disrupt daily life (VA National Center for PTSD). If treatment isn’t helping, say so; the NHS advises going back to your doctor or mental health specialist (NHS).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) An assessment by a mental health provider, then trauma-focused therapy (prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy or EMDR), a prescribed SSRI or SNRI antidepressant, or both. Sleep, alcohol or drug use and other conditions are treated alongside. Therapy commonly runs about $80–$200 a session at market rates; nonprofit sliding-scale sessions are $40–$70 after a one-time $65 membership fee. Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health care (you pay 20% after the deductible). 988 is free. Medicine prices being researched. Trauma-focused therapies have the strongest research support and usually last about 3 months. Medicines may take 4–6 weeks to help, and the benefits end when you stop. Benzodiazepines and cannabis are not recommended.
Chiropractic No role as a treatment for PTSD. Chiropractic care can be used for ordinary back or neck pain. Not a treatment for PTSD, so no cost is listed. We found little research on chiropractic care as a PTSD treatment. Don’t let it delay trauma-focused care.
Acupuncture Needle sessions as an add-on to — not a replacement for — trauma-focused care. About $125–$230 for a first private visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90. Emerging evidence from a few trials; the VA/DoD guideline does not recommend it as a PTSD treatment. Relatively few complications are reported.
Herbal medicine No herb is an established PTSD treatment. St. John’s wort, sold for mood, interacts dangerously with many medicines, including antidepressants. Cost estimate being researched. A review of non-drug approaches named just one herbal preparation as having emerging evidence. Always check with your prescriber before using any herb.
Massage therapy Relaxing hands-on bodywork, only if you feel safe with touch, as a complement to care. About $70–$90 a month for a membership at one national chain (Massage Envy), which includes one 60-minute session a month; each franchise sets its own rates. We found little research — mostly single-patient case reports. Can feel calming, but it is not a PTSD treatment. Low risk with a trained therapist.
MBHA Wellness Coach Steady routines for sleep, meals and movement, stress-easing skills, less alcohol, staying connected, help finding a therapist, and a crisis plan. Cost estimate being researched. Healthy routines support recovery but do not replace trauma-focused therapy or prescribed medicine.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

PTSD is treated by a mental health professional with experience in it. The main treatments are psychotherapy, medicines, or both (NIMH). VA says PTSD treatment works, there are several options, and no one treatment is right for everyone — you and your provider choose together based on benefits, risks, side effects and your preferences (VA National Center for PTSD).

1. Trauma-focused talk therapy

“Trauma-focused” means the therapy centers on the memory of the event or what it means to you. The three with the most research support are (VA National Center for PTSD):

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): you learn to change upsetting thoughts and feelings you have had since the trauma.
  • Prolonged Exposure (PE): you gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations you have been avoiding. Talking through the details of the trauma and facing safe situations you have avoided can reduce symptoms and give you more control of your life (VA National Center for PTSD).
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): you process the memory while paying attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound, such as a finger moving side to side, a light or a tone.

These therapies usually take about 8–16 sessions (VA National Center for PTSD), or roughly 3 months, after which you and your therapist can plan how to keep using the skills (VA National Center for PTSD). VA also lists briefer or less-studied options: Written Exposure Therapy (a 5-session writing-based therapy), Cognitive Therapy for PTSD, and Present-Centered Therapy, which focuses on current life problems (VA National Center for PTSD).

The evidence. A systematic review of 114 randomized trials with 8,171 people found robust evidence that trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR had a clinically important effect, with cognitive processing therapy, cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure having the strongest evidence among the CBT-based types (Lewis et al., 2020). The 2023 VA/DoD guideline recommends specific psychotherapies (prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy or EMDR) over medicines, and says they can be delivered by secure video when that therapy has been validated for video (2023 VA/DoD guideline synopsis).

2. Medicines — an honest look

We name medicines only to explain the evidence. Your prescriber decides whether any medicine fits you, and the dose.

  • SSRIs and SNRIs (antidepressants). VA lists three as recommended for PTSD: sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil) and venlafaxine (Effexor), which appear to work about equally well (VA National Center for PTSD). The FDA’s own review materials state that paroxetine and sertraline are the approved medicines for PTSD (FDA briefing document, 2024). You may start to feel better in about 4–6 weeks, and benefits last only as long as you keep taking the medicine. Common side effects are upset stomach, sweating, headache and dizziness, and some people have sexual side effects (VA National Center for PTSD).
  • Boxed warning. The sertraline label carries an FDA boxed warning: antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and young adults in short-term studies, so everyone starting one should be closely watched for worsening mood or new suicidal thoughts. The label also advises lowering the dose gradually rather than stopping abruptly, because stopping suddenly can bring nausea, sweating, irritability, dizziness, electric-shock sensations, anxiety, insomnia and other effects (DailyMed drug label). The NHS says the same in plain words: do not stop a PTSD medicine unless a doctor tells you to, even if you feel better; and some are not safe in pregnancy (NHS).
  • Prazosin (a blood-pressure medicine sometimes used for nightmares) has mixed evidence. Earlier randomized trials found it alleviated PTSD-related nightmares, but a larger trial of 304 veterans with chronic PTSD at 13 VA medical centers found no difference from placebo for distressing dreams or sleep quality (Raskind et al., 2018). The FDA’s reviewers note that for off-label options such as prazosin, evidence is often limited to case reports (FDA briefing document, 2024). Many people do ask about it, so talk it through with your prescriber.
  • Benzodiazepines are not recommended for PTSD. VA says they do not help PTSD symptoms and can have serious effects over time: dependence and withdrawal, trouble with memory and thinking, slower reactions, falls and car accidents, worse breathing problems, and potentially fatal overdose when combined with alcohol, street drugs or opioids. They can also make it harder to recover, because avoiding reminders of the trauma keeps you from learning to manage them. If you already take one, do not stop suddenly — a slow taper with your provider is safer (VA National Center for PTSD). The 2023 VA/DoD guideline also recommends against benzodiazepines (2023 VA/DoD guideline synopsis).

3. Nightmares and sleep

Almost everyone with PTSD has trouble sleeping; both insomnia and nightmares are PTSD symptoms, and nightmares are often a replay of the event (VA National Center for PTSD). VA calls cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) the best treatment for insomnia — more effective than medicine, with fewer side effects — and says it also reduces how many nightmares people have and how upsetting they are. Sleep medicines are generally for short-term use (VA National Center for PTSD). Our Bad Dreams & Nightmares guide covers nightmare treatment, including imagery rehearsal therapy, in detail. Sleep apnea is common in people with PTSD and worth asking about (VA National Center for PTSD).

4. Alcohol and drug use

Over 4 in 10 adults with PTSD also have problems with drugs or alcohol, and for most the PTSD came first; some people use substances to relax or to avoid difficult feelings. Alcohol can make sleep less restful and drugs can increase irritability and avoidance (VA National Center for PTSD). The good news: treating PTSD and substance use at the same time works. Trauma-focused therapy is effective for people with and without substance use disorders, and one integrated program, COPE, combines prolonged exposure with substance use treatment (VA National Center for PTSD). Mutual-support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous do not treat PTSD, but many people with both problems find them helpful (VA National Center for PTSD).

What it costs

  • Therapy without insurance: the nonprofit Open Path Collective puts the usual market rate at about $80–$200 a session; its network offers sessions for $40–$70 after a one-time $65 membership fee (Open Path Collective).
  • Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health care; after the Part B deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for visits (Medicare.gov).
  • The 988 Lifeline is free. Prescription medicines and other costs: MBHA cost estimate being researched.

How well it works — what to expect

Symptoms are expected to improve gradually, not overnight (NIMH). If symptoms haven’t eased after 6 to 8 weeks, NIMH suggests talking with your provider again (NIMH). VA has an online decision aid to help you compare treatments and a list of signs of good PTSD care (VA National Center for PTSD).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care is not a treatment for PTSD. We found little research on it as one: what turns up is mostly about how often veterans use chiropractic care. VA does make chiropractic care available, noting that not every practice is recommended for every condition, and that about 1 in 3 veterans who used complementary health or chiropractic services had PTSD (VA National Center for PTSD).

If you also have pain

Ordinary back or neck pain can be cared for separately — see our Back Problems guide — but tell your care team about both, and don’t let it delay trauma-focused therapy. VA notes that chronic pain and PTSD can be related, often making the symptoms of each worse (VA National Center for PTSD).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the few non-drug, non-talk approaches with some research for PTSD, but the evidence is early. A systematic review of 30 randomized trials of non-psychological and non-pharmacological approaches found emerging evidence for six approaches, including acupuncture and yoga, and concluded it would be premature to offer them routinely; they may be an alternative for people who do not respond to, tolerate or want conventional treatments (Bisson et al., 2020). VA adds that acupuncture has some evidence for symptom relief, but it is not recommended in the VA/DoD guideline as a PTSD treatment (VA National Center for PTSD).

If you try it, use it alongside — not instead of — trauma-focused care.

Safety

Relatively few complications have been reported. Problems have come from non-sterile needles and poor technique. The FDA requires acupuncture needles to be sterile and single-use (NCCIH).

What it costs

Private sessions run about $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics charge about $50–$90 (The Pricer).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

No herb or supplement is an established treatment for PTSD, and we don’t list doses. In the review of non-drug, non-talk approaches, the only herbal item with even emerging evidence was a single preparation (saikokeishikankyoto) (Bisson et al., 2020).

Interactions are the main risk

St. John’s wort, a popular mood supplement, can interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with many medicines. Taken with certain antidepressants or other drugs that affect serotonin, it may increase serotonin-related side effects, which can be serious (NCCIH). Since the medicines recommended for PTSD are antidepressants, that matters. In general, some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways, so tell your doctor or pharmacist about every product you use (NCCIH clinical digest).

Before you try any herb or supplement, talk with your prescriber, and never use one to replace a prescribed psychiatric medicine (NCCIH). For cannabis, see Cannabis and MDMA below.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Many people find massage relaxing, and the risk of harm from it appears low (NCCIH). We found little research on massage for PTSD — mostly single-patient case reports, such as one describing six sessions for a woman with anxiety from PTSD after domestic abuse (Hanus, 2025 case report) — and a single case cannot tell us whether it works. Think of massage as a way to unwind, not a treatment.

Trauma-informed touch

For some trauma survivors, being touched can feel unsafe. It is fine to choose a therapist who explains each step, to ask to stop at any time, and to skip massage altogether. Tell the therapist if anything feels frightening. NCCIH notes that relaxation techniques can occasionally bring up anxiety or intrusive thoughts, and rarely worsen symptoms in people with a history of trauma (NCCIH).

Safety

Rare serious problems have been reported, sometimes with vigorous deep-tissue massage or in people at higher risk of injury. Most states license massage therapists (NCCIH).

What it costs

One national chain, Massage Envy, charges about $70–$90 a month for a membership that includes one 60-minute session a month; each franchise sets its own rates, so prices elsewhere vary (The Pricer). Independent therapists: cost estimate being researched.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you build the everyday habits that support recovery, keep track of what helps, and get connected to a therapist. These habits support — but don’t replace — trauma-focused therapy or prescribed medicine, and a coach is not a therapist.

Habits NIMH suggests (NIMH)

  • Talk with your health care provider about treatment options and follow your treatment plan.
  • Exercise, mindfulness or other stress-reducing activities; and routines for meals, exercise and sleep.
  • Set realistic goals and focus on what you can manage.
  • Spend time with trusted friends or relatives, and tell them about things that may trigger symptoms.
  • Expect symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately; and avoid alcohol and drugs.

Sleep routine and a coping plan

Staying connected

Support from family, friends or support groups is a resilience factor, and research shows it can be an essential part of recovery (NIMH). A coach can help you reach out, and help you prepare questions for your provider.

Another approach

Veterans, first responders & moral injury

Veterans and service members

PTSD is slightly more common among veterans than civilians: about 7 in 100 veterans will have it at some point, versus 6 in 100 adults generally, and it is more common among female veterans (13 in 100) than male veterans (6 in 100). By service era, 29 in 100 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, 21 in 100 Gulf War veterans and 10 in 100 Vietnam veterans had PTSD at some point in life. Deployment, combat trauma, training accidents and military sexual trauma can all play a part (VA National Center for PTSD). If you served in those eras, our Gulf War Illness and Agent Orange guides cover related concerns. Veterans can call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, even if not enrolled in VA care (Veterans Crisis Line).

First responders and health care workers

The NHS lists jobs such as police officer, paramedic and healthcare worker among the causes of PTSD (NHS). A 2026 review found first responders are at high risk and, among former first responders in high-income countries, pooled point prevalence of PTSD was 15.4% in studies of general exposures — though only ten studies were available, so the figure is rough (Arena et al., 2026). The same review points out that retired responders lose access to the services and social support they had on the job. If this is you, please don’t wait — see Getting help below.

Moral injury

Moral injury can follow an event that violates deeply held morals or values — taking part in, failing to prevent, or witnessing it. Guilt, shame, disgust, anger and spiritual distress are common. It is not a diagnosis, can occur with PTSD or depression, and may make PTSD symptoms more severe. Health care workers, first responders and civilians exposed to violence can experience it, not only combat veterans (VA National Center for PTSD).

VA says treatment cannot undo what happened but can help people live a meaningful life going forward. PTSD treatments still work well when someone also has moral injury, and no medicines are yet known to help moral injury; therapies aimed at it are still being studied. A mental health provider or chaplain can help (VA National Center for PTSD).

Another approach

Mind-body practices & service dogs

These can be welcome additions, but the research is uneven. VA says that of the complementary approaches, only mindfulness-based stress reduction (an 8-week program) is suggested in the VA/DoD guideline for PTSD, while the strongest recommendation is for trauma-focused talk therapy (VA National Center for PTSD).

Mindfulness and meditation

  • A 2018 review of 8 studies found 6 reported fewer PTSD symptoms after mindfulness-based treatment, and a 2018 trial of 203 veterans found a meditation program was as effective as prolonged exposure therapy at reducing PTSD symptoms and depression (NCCIH).
  • A 2026 review of complementary approaches for veterans found moderate-quality evidence that meditation reduces PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms, and that mantram repetition and mindfulness-based stress reduction modestly reduce symptoms (Ashoorion et al., 2026).
  • About 8 percent of people in studies had a negative effect from meditation, most often anxiety or depression (NCCIH). Go gently and tell your therapist if a practice makes you feel worse.

Yoga

A 2018 evaluation of 7 yoga studies (284 people) found only low-quality evidence of a possible benefit (NCCIH). VA says yoga is safe for people with PTSD and many people who do it regularly report feeling better, but it is not recommended as a PTSD treatment (VA National Center for PTSD).

Service dogs and animal-assisted help

  • In a 2024 trial, 156 veterans with PTSD were assigned by wait-list order (not by chance) to receive a trained psychiatric service dog or to wait. After 3 months the dog group had lower PTSD scores (41.9 vs 51.7 on a 0–80 scale), and less depression and anxiety (Leighton et al., 2024). An earlier study of 141 veterans found meaningful reductions in symptoms but not enough to lose the diagnosis (O’Haire et al., 2018).
  • A review of animal-assisted interventions found that getting a service dog beat waiting for one, but called for larger, better-designed studies (Hediger et al., 2021).
  • Honestly: this evidence is early, mostly not randomized, and the dog is an add-on to care, not a replacement. Training, cost and waiting lists are real hurdles. We have not researched costs.

Another approach

Cannabis and MDMA-assisted therapy

People often ask about these. Here is what the sources say.

Cannabis

MDMA-assisted therapy

Another approach

Supporting someone with PTSD

The most important thing you can do is help your person get the right diagnosis and treatment: some people need help making an appointment, and others benefit from company at visits (NIMH). Other steps:

  • Offer emotional support, understanding, patience and encouragement; learn about PTSD; listen carefully, noticing feelings and situations that trigger symptoms; and share positive distractions such as walks and outings (NIMH).
  • Encourage them to follow the treatment plan, and to talk with their provider if symptoms haven’t improved after 6 to 8 weeks (NIMH).
  • PTSD can be hard on families; changes in one person affect everyone. VA has guides for families, including how to help during specific therapies, and for taking care of yourself (VA National Center for PTSD).
  • If your person talks about suicide, ask directly, listen without judgment, help keep them safe and connect them with 988 (NIMH).

Another approach

Getting help

In their own words

Wellness and lifestyle testimonials

Please read first. These are personal experiences, not medical advice. MBHA makes no medical claims and does not claim any product treats PTSD. PTSD is a treatable condition; trauma-focused therapy and medicines prescribed by a clinician can help. Never stop or change psychiatric medicines on your own — stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk with your prescriber first. If you’re in crisis: call or text 988 (call 911 in an emergency).

I was diagnosed with PTSD about a year after a second car accident. Once I started sleeping on a magnetic sleep system I began sleeping remarkably well, with more energy and less achiness on waking, and my anxiety and low mood eased a great deal.

— Lisa

I have heard from two people that when they felt an anxiety attack coming on, they wrapped up in a far-infrared comforter and the feeling passed. The first was told to try it; the second knew nothing about the comforter and just did it by instinct.

— Name withheld

Shared with first names only. Lightly edited for length and spelling.

Member stories

Living with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

We read every story before it’s published and may shorten it. Stories describe one person’s experience; results vary. See our Privacy Policy.

Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

Find the right practitioner

Search MBHA’s Health Directory for doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists across the Monterey Bay.

Search the Directory All Health Conditions

The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We strongly recommend that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition. MBHA provides administrative support, education and navigation — not medical, legal or tax advice — and cannot guarantee claim, billing or fundraising outcomes. MBHA is not an emergency service: in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.