WEBVTT

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If you have posttraumatic
stress disorder - or PTSD -

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it's common to feel like
there are places or situations

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that are unsafe.

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It may seem like the
best option is to avoid them -

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staying away from people
or places that feel

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dangerous, or reminders
of a traumatic event.

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As a result, you may
develop "I can't" rules:

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"I can't leave
the house at night.

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I can't trust anyone.

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I can't handle crowds."

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But, these rules won't
help you overcome PTSD.

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So, how do you learn
to say "I can"?

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Prolonged Exposure - or PE
- is a treatment for PTSD

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that helps you do safe
things you've been avoiding.

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In PE, you and your therapist
will practice exposure -

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meaning, you'll work to
approach things you've steered

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clear of since the event.

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You have to challenge your
"I can't" rules to prove

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to yourself that you "can."

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Remember when you were learning
to swim, or even drive a car?

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It was challenging at first,
but got easier with practice.

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Exposure gets easier with time.

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With your therapist, you'll
take steps to do the things

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that have been hard for
you - at your own pace.

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So, if you're avoiding
the grocery store,

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you might start by going
when it isn't crowded -

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maybe bringing a
family member along.

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You'll eventually practice
going on your own,

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perhaps even during peak hours.

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With practice, you'll find
that you can handle it.

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You'll also talk through
the details of your

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traumatic event in a
safe, gradual way with your

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therapist. Closing your
eyes can help you concentrate.

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Retelling the event may sound
like the last thing you want to

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do - but it helps with emotions
like anger, guilt, and sadness.

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You'll listen to a recorded
version at home, too.

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After a few months you'll find that
you can talk about your trauma

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without feeling so overwhelmed.

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Prolonged Exposure
doesn't erase your trauma,

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but it can help you keep
your traumatic experience

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from getting in the way
of living your life.

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PE doesn't require you
to take any medications.

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With your therapist's help,
you'll follow a step-by-step

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program for about three months.

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Most people who complete
PE show noticeable improvement

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in their symptoms.

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And many no longer have PTSD.

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Prolonged Exposure works
well for both men and women,

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and it's "evidence-based,"
which means PE has been

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proven to work in
multiple research studies.

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If Prolonged Exposure sounds
like it could be right for you,

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talk to your doctor about
finding a PE provider.

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Or, visit the National
Center for PTSD website

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at www.ptsd.va.gov to learn
more about PE and other

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PTSD treatment options.

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No matter how long you've
been living with PTSD,

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know that you can get better.