Supporting a friend or family member with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) can be challenging, but with understanding, patience, and the right approach, you can make a positive difference in their life.
This may take time and cause problems for other family members so don’t forgot to keep everyone involved. You
Here are some suggestions to help you support your partner:
- Educate yourself: Learn about PTSD to understand its symptoms, causes, and potential triggers. This knowledge will help you empathize with your partner and develop appropriate strategies to support them effectively.
- Encourage professional help: Encourage your partner to seek professional support from a therapist or counsellor who specializes in trauma and PTSD. Therapy can provide valuable tools and coping mechanisms to manage symptoms and work through traumatic experiences.
- Be patient and understanding: PTSD can cause emotional and behavioural changes in individuals. Recognize that your partner’s reactions may be influenced by their trauma and not necessarily a reflection of their feelings towards you. Be patient and understanding when they experience flashbacks, nightmares, mood swings, or avoid certain situations.
- Practice open communication: Create a safe and non-judgmental space for your partner to express their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to talk about their experiences, but never force them if they’re not ready. Active listening and validation are crucial to help them feel understood and supported.
- Respect triggers and boundaries: Understand your partner’s triggers and respect their boundaries. Be mindful of situations, sounds, or images that may remind them of the traumatic event and avoid exposing them to those triggers whenever possible. If you need to discuss a potentially triggering topic, ask for their consent and approach it gently.
- Offer reassurance and comfort: Let your partner know that you are there for them and that they are safe. Provide reassurance and comfort during difficult times. Small gestures of affection, like being tactile with them such holding hands or offering a hug, can be powerful ways to demonstrate that you care.
- Encourage self-care: See if you can motivate your partner to try and manage stress, by doing exercise, meditation, deep breathing, or engaging in hobbies. Offer to participate in these activities together to bond and support their well-being.
- Take care of yourself: Supporting someone with PTSD can be emotionally demanding. It’s crucial to take care of your own well-being, too. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge. Seek support from friends, family, or support groups who can offer guidance and understanding. Take a break and breathe!
Supporting a friend or family member with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) can be challenging, but with care, you can make little positive differences in their life. PTSD isn’t something you can resolve overnight or even within a short period of time, so it may be a long or even lifetime journey.
Don’t forgot to keep the people close to you involved at a basic level. You don’t need to go into details and the people who care about you won’t press you and make you feel uncomfortable.
Encouraging professional help and fostering a nurturing environment will go a long way in helping them manage their symptoms and work towards healing. But understand that they won’t be willing to consider this route until they are ready to make changes; it’s not something you can force.
