Seeing someone you care about experience the symptoms of PTSD or complex PTSD can be incredibly challenging. To support them effectively while also taking care of your own wellbeing, listen to them without pressure, allowing them to talk at their own pace and express their feelings. Avoid making assumptions about their emotions, both past and present, and refrain from dismissing their experiences with comments like “it could have been worse” or questioning their actions during the traumatic event.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (also known as PTSD) is a serious condition that can greatly affect the quality of life for those who suffer from it. As the name suggests, this disorder brought on by the effects of traumatic events after the fact. If you know someone with PTSD, you can help them. Use these steps to learn how to help someone with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Living with Someone Who Has PTSD
Living with a partner, friend, or family member who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can profoundly affect your life. PTSD can strain relationships and family dynamics, leading to hurt feelings from your loved one’s distance and moodiness. You might struggle to understand their unpredictable behaviour, feeling like you’re walking on eggshells or living with a stranger. The burden of household tasks may fall more heavily on you, and you may feel frustrated when your loved one doesn’t open up. Additionally, PTSD symptoms can result in job loss, substance abuse, and other issues that impact the entire family.
It’s essential to remember that the symptoms of PTSD are not under the person’s control. Their nervous system is often “stuck” in a state of constant alert, making them feel perpetually vulnerable and unsafe or forcing them to relive their traumatic experience repeatedly. This heightened state can manifest as anger, irritability, depression, and mistrust, which are not easily turned off.
With the right support from family and friends, your loved one’s nervous system can become “unstuck.” Here are some ways to support someone with PTSD:
Provide Social Support
People with PTSD often withdraw from social interactions, feeling ashamed, not wanting to burden others, or believing others won’t understand. While respecting their boundaries, your comfort and support can help them overcome feelings of helplessness, grief, and despair. Trauma experts highlight the importance of face-to-face support in PTSD recovery.
Demonstrate Love and Support
Showing love and support can be challenging. You can’t force recovery, but your presence can significantly impact the healing process. Spend time together without pressuring them to talk about their traumatic experiences. Let them know you’re available to listen when they’re ready to talk or just to be there when they’re not. Comfort comes from feeling engaged and accepted, not necessarily from discussing the trauma.
Engage in Normal Activities
Do regular activities with your loved one that have nothing to do with PTSD. Encourage them to seek out friends, enjoy hobbies, and engage in rhythmic exercises like walking, running, swimming, or rock climbing. Participating in fitness classes, dancing, or setting regular social dates can also be beneficial.
Let Them Take the Lead
Every person with PTSD is different, and most know instinctively what makes them feel calm and safe. Follow their cues to provide the best support and companionship.
Manage Your Own Stress
Staying calm, relaxed, and focused will better equip you to help your loved one.
Be Patient
Recovery is a process that takes time and may involve setbacks. Staying positive and consistently supportive is crucial.
Educate Yourself About PTSD
Understanding the symptoms, effects, and treatment options for PTSD will better equip you to support your loved one and keep things in perspective.
Accept Mixed Feelings
Prepare for a complicated mix of emotions. Having negative feelings towards your family member doesn’t mean you don’t love them.
Living with someone who has PTSD requires patience, understanding, and a strong support system. By providing consistent support and maintaining your well-being, you can help your loved one navigate their recovery
Common Points
Be a good friend. It is important to let the person know you are concerned about him without making him feel embarrassed or ashamed in anyway. Let him know that there are people dealing with the same feelings and that you want him to feel better and be able to live a more full life. How do you approach to the subject is extremely important. It should be a supportive and loving way.
Research mental health professionals with experience in the treatment of patients with PTSD. If the person you are trying to help are willing to be involved in this process, let her. You may find some resistance. It may be better to look for a reliable therapist, ask your friend to go with you to meet the therapist.
Take your friend to meet with the trauma therapist you have found. If she is resistant, tell her you are only trying to help and that you will be right next to her side all the way. Tell her about the doctor, you have found and why you think they can help. Reassure her that she is not the only one who has dealt with this and tell her that this particular psychologist has helped others with this same question.
Understand your friend’s triggers, as he works through them. Many people who suffer from PTSD have certain triggers that will take them mentally back to the traumatic event. This can be a certain sights, smells, noise or voice. These triggers can cause additional stress, flashbacks and even psychotic breaks in patients with PTSD.
Help her understand his suffering. Research online with her to read about the symptoms and treatments of PTSD. Let her see she is not alone and that the things she’s feeling has a name, and more importantly, a solution.
Supporting someone with PTSD involves avoiding judgment and understanding their unique challenges. It’s important not to blame or pressure them to ‘move on’ quickly, as recovery takes time and support. Learning their triggers, such as loud noises or certain places, can help you avoid causing distress and better prepare for flashbacks. Discussing how you can assist during difficult times, like creating a crisis plan and identifying symptoms to watch for, is also beneficial. Always ensure that the support you offer is within your capacity, as taking care of your own wellbeing is equally important.
Prioritise Your Mental Health
Your mental health is crucial. Explore our resources on encouraging someone to seek help, coping strategies for supporting others, stress management, and maintaining your own wellbeing. These pages offer valuable information and practical tips to help you take care of yourself while supporting someone else.