Table of contents:
- Understand post traumatic stress disorder and its impact on personal relationships
- How to help people with PTSD
- Tip 1: Provide social support
- Tip 2: Be a good listener
- Tip 3: Build a sense of trust and security
- Tip 4: Anticipate and deal with triggers
- Tip 5: Take care of yourself
When someone in your family has post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they will start to act differently and overwhelm you and frustrate you. For families with PTSD patients, family members can feel fearful and worried about the relationships between families. But the most important thing is that you have to understand that patients really need support and love from others to help them through the problems of post traumatic stress disorder.
Understanding the root causes and addressing them are things you can do to restore them and help them move on in their lives.
Understand post traumatic stress disorder and its impact on personal relationships
Post traumatic stress disorder is an advanced stage in people who suffer from trauma. People who experience post traumatic stress disorder begin to have mental illnesses, such as irritability, self-isolation and lack of affection. Initially, you may have a hard time dealing with changes in those closest to you, especially if they don't want to open up. The more you understand about post traumatic stress disorder and its symptoms, the more you can help those closest to you.
Symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder can be diagnosed by the following behaviors:
- Patients cannot control their behavior and attitudes.
- The patient is constantly feeling anxious, miserable and insecure which can lead to irritability, depression and a lack of trust.
- The patient begins to have mental health conditions, such as an eating disorder or anxiety.
How to help people with PTSD
Tip 1: Provide social support
Usually, people with post-traumatic stress disorder find it difficult to mingle with community and social activities. They tend to withdraw from friends and family. You shouldn't force them to talk to people, but let them talk to people they feel comfortable with and understand how they feel.
Don't try to force them to change. Staying patient, calm and positive is the best way to support those closest to you. Better yet, understand how to manage your own stress and educate yourself about PTSD. The more you know about PTSD, the better you can support and understand what the person is going through.
Tip 2: Be a good listener
Sometimes your loved ones don't want to share their traumatic experiences and you need to pay special attention when they need it. They easily express fear, anxiety, or negative reactions. It is important that you respect their feelings and do not encourage them to overreach. You don't need to give advice. Try to listen without judgment or expectations.
Tip 3: Build a sense of trust and security
People with post traumatic stress disorder always see a world full of dangers and frightening places. They feel they can't trust others or even themselves. Whatever you do to build a sense of security in the people closest to you will help the healing process. Showing your commitment to relationships and promises, being consistent and doing what you have to say are some of the best ways to build trust and security in those closest to you.
Tip 4: Anticipate and deal with triggers
A person, object, place, or situation can be a trigger that alerts those closest to you with trauma or negative memories. You need to identify and understand potential triggers, such as visions, songs, smells, dates, times or even certain natural events. After that try to talk to the people closest to the triggers and prevent them from bringing up bad memories.
Tip 5: Take care of yourself
Caring for a patient with post traumatic stress disorder can make you frustrated and tired. Knowing how to take care of yourself and making time for your life and activities can help you recover and take care of yourself.
