Post traumatic stress disorder , also known as PTSD, is a mental illness that someone can develop after undergoing or
seeing a life-threatening event, like a car accident, physical or sexual assault, or combat. It is common for victims of the
traumatizing event to have recurring nightmares and exhibit insomnia. In the beginning, it is often hard for people to have
a hard time with completing daily activities, like get out of bed, eat, or go to work/school. Fortunately, most people feel
alot better after a couple weeks or months. If a person does not feel better after a short period of time, then it is very
likely that they have ptsd and should contact help. Others may have their PTSD symptoms start later on down the road or may
be occasional.
Children can exhibit PTSD too! They may have the common PTSD symptoms and develop into more if left untreated.
To counteract negative thoughts brought on by PTSD, it is most important that you talk about your experience
in a safe and comfortable environment. This can be done through therapy, or even a close friend/family member
(although therapy is most structured). Although, it may be hard to re-experience the event, it is needed for you to ground yourself.
DO'S
Don'ts
Help your loved one seek help and be a good listener. Offer them different methods of coping
with their pain, while not pressuring them into anything they might not want to do.
Don't make your loved one re-experience the event! You have no idea how they might react while
re-experiencing the event, and it might do more damage to them.
DO NORMAL ACTIVITIES! It is important that your loved one feel as normal as possible.
Positive distractions are recommended.
Don't go along for the ride. If your loved one is acting reckless, do not encourage them by going along with it.
It isn't "keeping them safe" while they are reckless, it's just dangerous overall.
Let them take the lead. They should feel in control of their future and present,
and it will bring them emotional stability.Don't control them. This will make them feel suffocated and not want to be by your side.
Manage your own stress! Is is just as important for you to be stable, as it is for your loved one to be stable.
Don't blame your loved one for your stress! This will add to their negative mindset. Take some time to yourself if you need to ever cool off.
Be patient! Recovery for a PTSD victim is long and strenuous, but it will be better over time.
Don't rush the recovery process. Everyone is different and it might make your loved one feel worthless for not recovering quicker.
Give construction to your futures. Make plans about what you will do tomorrow, or even a year from now. It gives them something to look forward to.
Don't give dry help like "it's okay" or "it will be okay". It doesn't feel like that to your loved one and it is important that you acknowledge their pain.