How To Help Someone When They Have PTSD
For those living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), life can be difficult to manage. It can also be debilitating. What many don’t realize is that PTSD not only affects those with the disorder, but it also impacts the lives of their loved ones, including friends and family.
You may be asking if there is anything that you can do to support a loved one with PTSD, and the answer is yes, there is. Use this article as a guide on how to help someone with PTSD.
1. Learn About PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a common mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event. It involves symptoms, including flashbacks, anxiety, negative thoughts and beliefs, hypervigilance, and more.
One of the most important ways you can help someone who is dealing with PTSD is by educating yourself to know what to watch for. There are many signs and symptoms of PTSD that someone might deal with that they may internalize, making it harder to spot signs of it. So, knowing what you can look out for can help you see when they are being triggered by something or struggling throughout their day.
Those triggers include specific smells, noises, or moments that mimic the situation where their trauma occurred. Common triggers include certain smells, loud noises, flashing lights, or specific seasons or dates. You may notice they suddenly become tense or on edge when exposed to certain triggers.
Signs of PTSD
Someone suffering from PTSD will exhibit outward signs that can help you spot difficult situations for your loved one ahead of time.
You may notice that your loved one has become more angry, irritated, upset, or anxious since they experienced something traumatic. Alternatively, you may notice mood changes when they are triggered by something that could remind them of a painful experience.
They may also become more isolated from their family, friends, or a romantic partner. While there can be many reasons for this, it is often due to not wanting to be a burden on other people. In the aftermath, there can also be a great fear of being judged or not understood for struggling.
2. Show Them Support
Dealing with PTSD can make life feel like an uphill battle. When you have gone through something traumatic, you just want your life and understanding of the world to go back to the way it was. It's common for trauma survivors to place blame on themselves for what happened to them.
3. Don't Pressure Them To Talk
When supporting someone with PTSD, it’s also essential to have open lines of communication. While you don’t want to overwhelm them, checking in regularly to see how they’re doing is still helpful. However, please remember that they might not want to talk about what they experienced all the time.
Yes, talking about what they are going through can help. But, sometimes, it is too painful to talk about it, or they might not even have the words to describe what is happening to them. Instead, let them know that you are there for them when and if they are ready to talk about the deeper stuff. While they may not open up immediately, knowing you care will make them feel less alone.
4. Encourage Them To Seek Support
The aftermath of trauma is complex. It impacts almost every area of a person's life, causing them to experience physical and mental health problems, as well as affecting their personal life and career.
PTSD symptoms very rarely go away on their own. This is why seeking support from a licensed mental health professional can be a great resource. If you or someone you love are suffering after a traumatic experience, don't hesitate to reach out to learn more about PTSD therapy.