Coping with PTSD Symptoms as an Entrepreneur: Practical Tips
As a healing and leadership coach who specializes in trauma and addiction recovery, I understand the unique challenges entrepreneurs face, especially when dealing with PTSD or its symptoms. However, it’s important to note that this article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be seen as a substitute for seeking professional medical care or diagnosis. If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD or complex PTSD, I strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
In this article, we will explore how traumatic events can impact your ability to focus, make decisions, and handle stress. We’ll also discuss seven practical tips, backed by scientific research, to help you manage these challenges effectively. These strategies aim to support your personal well-being while fostering professional success. Let’s begin by understanding what PTSD is and how it differs from complex PTSD (C-PTSD).
Understanding PTSD and Complex PTSD
PTSD and C-PTSD share similarities in that both are triggered by trauma and involve intrusive symptoms like flashbacks and disturbing thoughts. Both conditions impact emotional well-being, leading to struggles such as anxiety and difficulties with daily functioning. Additionally, both can involve grief related to the loss of safety or stability.
However, there are also differences which we will explain in this section.
About PTSD
PTSD is a condition that can develop after someone experiences a single traumatic event, like a serious accident, natural disaster, or a violent assault. It can cause intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to the experience, long after the event has ended.
Imagine Sarah, a business owner who survived a severe car accident. After the incident, she often feels anxious and has flashbacks of the accident, making it hard for her to concentrate on her business tasks.
About Complex PTSD
C-PTSD, on the other hand, results from long-term trauma that lasts for months or years, often in situations where the person feels trapped. This type of trauma can be from ongoing abuse, neglect, or living in a war zone. Complex PTSD includes the symptoms of PTSD but also adds other issues, like problems with self-esteem, managing emotions, and relationships.
Take John, a business owner who grew up in a household with ongoing emotional and physical abuse. As an adult, John finds it difficult to trust others, often feels worthless, and struggles to manage his emotions. These feelings make it hard for him to make decisions and lead his team effectively.
Key Differences:
- PTSD typically follows a single traumatic event.
- C-PTSD follows prolonged, repeated trauma.
Many people with traumatic pasts are often told, "it's over" or "they can't hurt you anymore." However, anyone who has endured immensely stressful situations understands that while the mind may recognize the trauma is in the past, the body continues to struggle daily to find a new normal after such an intense violation.
Examples of PTSD and C-PTSD Symptoms
Now let’s get into how a person with PTSD or C-PTSD may behave after the initial traumatic incident.
- PTSD Example: Sarah is frequently reminded of her car accident when she hears loud noises, causing her to freeze or panic, which disrupts her ability to manage her team and complete projects.
- C-PTSD Example: John struggles with low self-esteem and trust issues due to years of abuse. He often second-guesses his decisions, has difficulty delegating tasks, and finds it challenging to build strong relationships with his employees.
Understanding the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD is important. It helps you see how these conditions can affect your ability to run a business. It can also help you to understand that why you may struggle with anxiety, fear or even guilt.
Many people with traumatic pasts are often told, “it’s over” or “they can’t hurt you anymore.” However, anyone who has endured immensely stressful situations understands that while the mind may recognize the trauma is in the past, the body as well ones soul continues to struggle daily to find a new normal after such an intense violation.
In the next section, we’ll look at practical ways to manage these symptoms. This will support your mental health and help you succeed at work.
Healing is a complex process influenced by several factors: the type of trauma, its intensity, duration, and one's ability to reclaim resilience and self-confidence.
Tips to Manage PTSD & C-PTSD Symptoms
Over the years, people have shared with me their wish for a pill, course, or something that could instantly eliminate the random flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety attacks, or muscle pain. I wish it were that simple. Healing is a complex process influenced by several factors: the type of trauma, its intensity, duration, and one’s ability to reclaim resilience and self-confidence.
That being said, here are some tips to help your body, mind, and soul find a sense of stability and calm as you work through your healing journey.
Practice Mindfulness or Meditation:
Practicing mindfulness meditation can help reduce stress, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms by promoting relaxation and improving emotional control.
Example: Sarah, who runs a tech startup, struggled to focus due to PTSD symptoms from past trauma. Adding mindfulness meditation to her daily routine helped her stay calm and present during stressful meetings. By practicing mindfulness, Sarah learned to handle her thoughts better, make clearer decisions, and enhance her team’s productivity.
Create a Regular Schedule:
Having a regular daily schedule with set work hours, breaks for relaxation, and time for self-care can help manage stress and improve overall well-being, which can ease PTSD symptoms.
Example: Mark, a small business owner, was feeling very stressed and had trouble sleeping. By establishing a structured routine with specific work hours and regular breaks for exercise and relaxation, Mark experienced less anxiety, better sleep, and improved focus and creativity in business planning.
Make Time for Physical Exercise:
Regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or swimming, can help reduce stress hormones and alleviate PTSD symptoms by releasing endorphins that boost your mood.
Example: Emily, who owns a retail store, often felt tense and irritable. Incorporating daily yoga sessions into her schedule helped relieve stress, increase her energy levels, and enhance her interactions with customers and employees.
Eat Healthy Foods:
Eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains supports brain health and helps regulate mood, which can positively impact PTSD symptoms.
Example: James, a freelance graphic designer, experienced mood swings and low energy. By switching to a balanced diet rich in whole foods, he noticed better mood stability and mental alertness, which improved his productivity and client relationships.
Connect With Others:
Building a strong support network of friends, family, or fellow entrepreneurs provides emotional support and reduces feelings of isolation, which can help manage PTSD symptoms.
Example: Lisa, who runs a family-owned restaurant, felt isolated and doubtful after a traumatic event related to her business. Connecting with other business owners through networking events and online forums helped her regain confidence and perspective, making it easier to navigate business challenges.
Consider Therapy or Counseling:
Seeking professional therapy or counseling can address trauma and provide coping strategies tailored to your needs, helping to manage PTSD symptoms effectively.
Example: John, the CEO of a technology consultancy firm, experienced nightmares and flashbacks from a past business failure. Therapy with a counselor specialized in trauma helped him process his emotions, manage stress triggers, and improve his decision-making and leadership skills.
P.S. Trauma-informed life coaching is not the same as therapy. Often, coaches charge more than therapists. Learn the reasons in this article.
Create Boundaries With People & Your Work:
Creating clear boundaries between work and personal life helps prevent burnout and prioritizes self-care, which can be beneficial in managing PTSD symptoms. You may also need to create boundaries with your family, former lovers, or anyone connected to the person who victimized you and has yet to seek healing. This is important because without clear boundaries, you might create situations that worsen your PTSD symptoms.
Example: Alex, a startup founder, faced work stress affecting his personal life. By setting strict work hours and keeping his workspace separate from his living area, Alex improved his work-life balance, recharged better, and became more productive and satisfied in both his professional and personal life.
The image below summarizes these tips. Next, I will share my final thoughts.
Final Thoughts
While we can’t change the past or undo the harm it caused, we can make sure it doesn’t harm your present or future. Remember, any behavior from the past that seemed odd or extreme was just your way of coping with the intense stress you were under. They were simply your PTSD symptoms, not a judgment on who you are as a person. Don’t let anyone, including yourself, make you feel ashamed or embarrassed about it.
Managing PTSD symptoms is a journey, and you deserve support along the way. Don’t try to do this alone. While you may have experienced the trauma on your own, you don’t have to heal without help. Seek the support you need. By taking steps to care for your mental health, you’re investing in both your happiness and your business success.
If you need help finding a new way to move forward after trauma, please reach out to me. We can create a plan to tackle your challenges and help you achieve your business goals while taking care of your well-being.
Also, check out my entrepreneur podcast for practical tips and inspiring stories on overcoming challenges in business and life,
