A support system will help your loved one overcome difficult changes and stressful times. Many people find peer support to be a useful tool that can help them recover. There are a variety of organizations that offer support groups for consumers, their families and friends. Some support groups are peer-led, while others may be led by a mental health professional.
Some organizations now offer online support groups, discussion forums, blogs and online communities as additional ways to connect with others in similar situations. These can be useful additions to in-person support groups and can be especially useful if there are no groups in your area. The National Center for Information on the National Self-Help Group for Mental Health Consumers also maintains a directory of consumer-driven services that includes peer-managed organizations in the United States that offer a variety of support services and activities, including peer-managed support groups. Don't pressure your loved one to talk.
It can be very difficult for people with post-traumatic stress disorder to talk about their traumatic experiences. For some, it can even make them feel worse. Instead, let them know that you're willing to listen to them when they want to talk, or just hang out when they don't. The comfort for someone with post-traumatic stress disorder comes from feeling engaged and accepted by you, not necessarily from talking.
Predictable structure and schedules can restore a sense of stability and security in people with post-traumatic stress disorder, in both adults and children. Your local branch of Mental Health America is an excellent resource to help you find support groups in your area. It can be difficult to know how to help during a flashback, but no special training is needed to help someone who is going through it. Every person with post-traumatic stress disorder is different, but most people instinctively know what makes them feel calm and safe.
Your loved one's nervous system is “stuck in a state of constant alert, leaving them feeling vulnerable and unsafe all the time, or having to relive the traumatic experience over and over again.” We also encourage you to also check out Mental Health America's LiveYourLifeWell program to learn more about the value of connecting with others and other useful tools for well-being. Mental Health America has its own support community through Inspire, which allows people to connect on a variety of topics and topics related to mental health. In fact, trauma experts believe that face-to-face support from other people is the most important factor in recovering from PTSD. Some people with post-traumatic stress disorder, especially those who suffer from it due to combat, may also decide that certain places or situations are not safe, such as the subway or busy and busy places.
Do “normal things” with your loved one, things that have nothing to do with the post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic experience. By Matthew Tull, PhD Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo and specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder. While it's important to respect your loved one's boundaries, your comfort and support can help them overcome feelings of helplessness, pain, and despair. For many people with post-traumatic stress disorder, anger can also cover up other feelings such as pain, helplessness, or guilt.
