Shelby Cook, LISW-S

Meta Title: Caring for Someone With PTSD

Meta Description: Coping with PTSD can be challenging. Read on to discover how you can help someone suffering from PTSD

Keywords: Handling someone with PTSD

Caring for Someone With PTSD

Two people holding hands, Offering support for PTSD, handling someone with PTSD. — Two people holding hands

Image Text: Offering Support for PTSD

Alt-Text: Handling someone with PTSD

Image Description: Two people holding hands

Living with someone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be difficult. PTSD is a mental condition that can cause nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts about a traumatic event. It can also lead to emotional numbness, social isolation, and problems with concentration and sleep. If you’re living with someone with PTSD, it’s essential to learn how to handle them effectively.

Understanding PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that may occur when someone goes through or witnesses a traumatic event. The event could be as severe as combat, sexual assault, or a natural disaster. It could also be something less dramatic, such as a car accident or the death of a loved one.

PTSD can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Flashbacks: Reliving the trauma over and over again through intrusive memories, dreams, or flashbacks

• Avoidance: Trying to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma

• Numbness: Feeling detached from people and things around them

• Depression: Feeling hopeless, helpless, and worthless

• Anxiety: Feeling constantly on edge, irritable, and jumpy

• Sleep problems: Having trouble falling or staying asleep

If you’re living with someone with PTSD, it’s essential to understand that the condition is real and that it’s not their fault. It can be challenging to deal with, but there are things you can do to help.

Identifying PTSD

According to Mayo Clinic, PTSD can be difficult to spot because the symptoms can vary from person to person (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Some people may seem fine at first but then begin to withdraw and isolate themselves. Others may become more irritable, aggressive, or even violent. If you’re worried that someone you know has PTSD, look for signs of the following:

• Avoiding people, places, or things that remind them of the trauma

• Having flashbacks or nightmares about the trauma

• Being constantly on edge and jumpy

• Feeling irritable and easily angered

• Drinking too much or using drugs to cope

If you notice any of these signs in someone you know, talk to them about it. Let them know that you’re concerned and offer to help them get professional help.

Handling Someone with PTSD

You can do a few things to help your loved one if they have PTSD.

First, try to be understanding and patient. It can be difficult for someone with PTSD to trust people, so it might take time for them to open up to you. They might also have good days and bad days, so it’s essential to be there for them no matter what.

Second, learn as much as you can about the condition. This will help you understand what your loved one is going through and how to support them best.

Third, encourage them to get professional help. PTSD can be treated with therapy and medication, so encourage your loved one to seek treatment.

Fourth, take care of yourself. Caring for someone with PTSD can be emotionally and mentally draining. Make sure to take time for yourself and do things that make you happy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re living with someone with PTSD, it’s essential to be understanding and patient. Learn as much as possible about the condition and encourage your loved one to seek professional help. Take care of yourself, too.