PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it can noticeably develop in people after they have been through a traumatic event or series of experiences. If a family member or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, such as a tendency to re-live certain experiences, a drastic change in mood, disassociation, and more, it can feel difficult to know how to provide PTSD support. Dr. Gene Devers and associates at Philly Family Life Counseling, LLC are here to offer advice on how to positively support a loved one with PTSD.
Supporting Your Loved One with PTSD
The role of family and the support system for someone with PTSD can make an impactful difference in recovery. You may feel helpless, but there are a few ways to support a loved one with PTSD:
- Learn as much as you can about PTSD and its symptoms. Educating yourself is the first step you can take to help.
- Offer to attend appointments with your loved one, as well as take note of logistics, such as medication, therapy, and appointments dates.
- Be an open line of communication for your loved one. Remind your loved one that you are there for them, encourage them to share how they’re feeling, and be open and honest with your own feelings. It can help your family member if you ask clarifying questions about what they’re feeling. Sometimes we don’t know exactly how we feel until we talk about it with someone.
- Acknowledge avoidance tactics – for both of you. Avoidance is a major symptom of PTSD and it doesn’t erase emotions, it just delays dealing with them. Someone with PTSD may attempt avoidance, but so may their loved ones. It’s easy to want to avoid talking about it or dealing with things because you don’t want to hurt your loved one, but avoidance can create resentment and build up the tensions and anxieties surrounding whatever it is you’re avoiding.
- Just be there for your loved one. Everyone heals differently, but spending time with them, speaking with them, and just reminding them you’re there can do wonders.
- Encourage them to work with a professional. At the end of the day, you just want what is best for your loved one and sometimes you’re not equipped in the same way a professional may be. PTSD therapy can help your loved one develop a recovery plan and healthy coping mechanisms. You might also benefit from working with a professional or joining a support group for loved ones with PTSD.
PTSD Therapy at PFLC – Call Today
Traumatic events and experiences can feel insurmountable, but they don’t have to define your life. If you or a loved one has developed PTSD from a traumatic event, then you don’t have to work through it alone. The experts at Philly Family Life Counseling, LLC can help you or a loved one work through their trauma. For more information, call our office at 215-677-3810 or fill out our online form. Help is just a call away.
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