WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:02.220
A small number of people

2
00:00:02.220 --> 00:00:06.000
might experience worse PTSD symptoms before they get better.

3
00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:07.920
For example, having more nightmares

4
00:00:07.920 --> 00:00:10.650
shortly after starting trauma-focused therapy.

5
00:00:10.650 --> 00:00:13.140
But this is actually a normal sign

6
00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:14.640
and a good sign that the therapy

7
00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:16.770
is targeting exactly what it needs to target

8
00:00:16.770 --> 00:00:18.870
that's really at the root of the symptoms

9
00:00:18.870 --> 00:00:21.900
and helping you to face them instead of avoid them.

10
00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:25.140
So if this does happen, the most important thing to do

11
00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:27.360
is to talk with your provider about it

12
00:00:27.360 --> 00:00:29.670
and to keep working through it together.

13
00:00:29.670 --> 00:00:32.550
For example, it's just like physical therapy.

14
00:00:32.550 --> 00:00:33.960
If you sprained your ankle

15
00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:35.940
and you had to do physical therapy,

16
00:00:35.940 --> 00:00:38.610
your ankle might be more tender at first.

17
00:00:38.610 --> 00:00:41.340
But as you continue the physical therapy exercises,

18
00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:43.680
it gets stronger, it starts to hurt less,

19
00:00:43.680 --> 00:00:46.620
and you can do more that you want to do again.

20
00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:50.160
Similarly, when you continue working through the process

21
00:00:50.160 --> 00:00:53.760
of facing your strong emotions and memories in therapy,

22
00:00:53.760 --> 00:00:56.523
you're able to heal and regain functionality.