Monday, March 25, 2024

How To Help People With Ptsd

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Learn More About Ptsd

4 TIPS on HOW TO HELP someone with PTSD

They say knowledge is power, and thats true when dealing with any type of mental health conditioneven PTSD. Increasing your understanding about post-traumatic stress disorder, its causes, its symptoms, and the PTSD treatment options and types of therapy for PTSD available will enable you to help a friend or loved one more effectively. If youre hoping to have a deeper understanding of the condition and how you can help, consider taking one or more of the following steps:

  • Read authoritative articles and books about PTSD
  • Join a local PTSD support group in your community
  • Listen to radio & television broadcasts about post-trauma topics
  • Listen to podcasts and participate in online group discussions about PTSD
  • Schedule an appointment with a therapist to discuss the nuances of PTSD

Of course, there are many other ways to educate yourself about post-traumatic stress disorder so you can help your loved one and you dont even have to do it alone. Encourage your friend or loved one with PTSD to join you in some of these activities so you can both learn at the same time.

Treatment For People With Ptsd

When you diagnose someone with PTSD. It is important to get them the best possible treatment. There are many different types of treatments available. And the one that will be best for a particular person will depend on their individual symptoms. Some common treatments include:

  • Psychotherapy: This type of therapy involves talking about the traumatic event with a therapist. This can help people process the event and deal with any associated emotions.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This type of therapy helps people change their thoughts and behaviors related to the traumatic event. It can help reduce symptoms like avoidance and hyper-arousal.
  • Pharmacotherapy: medication may be prescribed to help treat PTSD symptoms. Common medications include antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
  • It is important to work with a doctor to find the best treatment for someone with PTSD. There are many different treatments available, and the one that is best for a particular person will depend on their individual symptoms.

    Furthermore, treatment for PTSD is often long-term. It is important to stick with the treatment plan and continue to receive treatment even after symptoms have improved. As it is a long process to get recovery.

    How Can I Help A Friend Or Relative Who Has Ptsd

    If you know someone who may be experiencing PTSD, the most important thing you can do is to help that person get the right diagnosis and treatment. Some people may need help making an appointment with their health care provider others may benefit from having someone accompany them to their health care visits.

    If a close friend or relative is diagnosed with PTSD, you can encourage them to follow their treatment plan. If their symptoms do not get better after 6 to 8 weeks, you can encourage them to talk to their health care provider. You also can:

    • Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
    • Learn about PTSD so you can understand what your friend is experiencing.
    • Listen carefully. Pay attention to the persons feelings and the situations that may trigger PTSD symptoms.

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    How Is Ptsd Treated

    Professional treatment can help you feel better, says Dr. Wimbiscus. And while medications can play a role in treating the disorder, she says the gold-standard treatment is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, or TF-CBT, and sometimes another variation of this type of therapy called EMDR .

    This type of therapy helps you reframe your memories of the trauma and learn new ways to manage those thoughts and feelings. A big part of managing PTSD is having a skilled mental health professional working alongside you, Dr. Wimbiscus says.

    Heres the ugly truth: That treatment isnt easy it might dig up memories or emotions youd rather keep buried. And for all that effort, you may not feel like youre making much progress. And you might have to meet with your therapist a few times before you can get into the real work of treating PTSD.

    Having patience for that process is easier said than done. But your hard work will be worth it when you come out on the other side, with fewer symptoms and better tools to manage your anxiety.

    Some people with PTSD will notice their symptoms fade in a matter of months. For others, healing takes longer. You may feel frustrated that you cant speed up the process.

    How Can I Deal With Anger Or Violent Behavior

    What is PTSD?

    Your family member may feel angry about many things. Anger is a normal reaction to trauma, but it can hurt relationships and make it hard to think clearly. Anger also can be frightening.

    If anger leads to violent behavior or abuse, it’s dangerous. Go to a safe place and call for help right away. Make sure children are in a safe place as well.

    Set a time-out system

    It’s hard to talk to someone who is angry. One thing you can do is set up a time-out system. This helps you find a way to talk even while angry. Here are some tips on how to do this:

    • Agree that either of you can call a time-out at any time.
    • Agree that when someone calls a time-out, the discussion must stop right then.
    • Agree to tell each other where you will be and what you will be doing during the time-out. Tell each other what time you will come back.

    While you are taking a time-out, don’t focus on how angry you feel. Instead, think calmly about how you will talk things over and solve the problem.

    After a time-out

    • Take turns talking about solutions to the problem. Listen without interrupting.
    • Use statements starting with “I,” such as “I think” or “I feel.” Using “you” statements can sound accusing.
    • Be open to each other’s ideas. Don’t criticize each other.
    • Focus on things you both think will work. It’s likely you will both have good ideas.
    • Together, agree which solutions you will use.

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    What To Do When Someone With Ptsd Pushes You Away

    When we see someone we care about struggling, its natural for us to want to help. However, sometimes that help isnt always welcomed by the other person. If a loved one is showing signs of avoidance or pushes you away, its important to give them time. While its hard to see them experiencing this, its important to be patient and be there for them in ways that can help them continue everyday activities. Asking if theres anything you can do to help, such as going to the grocery or cooking a meal for them may be the best thing you can do for them in that moment. It’s also important to remember that it will often be their choice on when and where they seek treatment. Forcing this on someone can lead to resentment and distrust. It may even spark an argument that could leave you both hurt in the end. Gently encouraging them to continue going to therapy once they have started care is important. Acknowledge or celebrate the achievements they make. Dont pressure them to talk about their experience or what they discussed in their therapy sessions. Its their choice regarding if, when or what they will share with you. Let them know you are there for them if they want to talk and even if they dont.

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    • Being easily startled. Having trouble concentrating. Inconsistent sleep patterns. Feeling irritable and experiencing angry outbursts. Being on high-alert, guarded, and tense. Acting reckless or

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    Talking To Your Loved One About Ptsd Triggers

    Ask your loved one about things theyve done in the past to respond to a trigger that seemed to help . Then come up with a joint game plan for how you will respond in future.

    Decide with your loved one how you should respond when they have a nightmare, flashback, or panic attack. Having a plan in place will make the situation less scary for both of you. Youll also be in a much better position to help your loved one calm down.

    How to help someone having a flashback or panic attack

    During a flashback, people often feel a sense of disassociation, as if theyre detached from their own body. Anything you can do to ground them will help.

    • Tell your loved one theyre having a flashback and that even though it feels real, the event is not actually happening again.
    • Help remind them of their surroundings .
    • Encourage them to take deep, slow breaths .
    • Avoid sudden movements or anything that might startle them.
    • Ask before you touch them. Touching or putting your arms around the person might make them feel trapped, which can lead to greater agitation and even violence.

    Common External Ptsd Triggers

    7 Tips To Help Someone With PTSD | Mental Health 101 | Kati Morton
    • Sights, sounds, or smells associated with the trauma.
    • People, locations, or things that recall the trauma.
    • Significant dates or times, such as anniversaries or a specific time of day.
    • Conversations or media coverage about trauma or negative news events.
    • Situations that feel confining .
    • Relationship, family, school, work, or money pressures or arguments.
    • Funerals, hospitals, or medical treatment.

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    What Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

    Posttraumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury.

    PTSD has been known by many names in the past, such as shell shock during the years of World War I and combat fatigue after World War II, but PTSD does not just happen to combat veterans. PTSD can occur in all people, of any ethnicity, nationality or culture, and at any age. PTSD affects approximately 3.5 percent of U.S. adults every year, and an estimated one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD. Three ethnic groups U.S. Latinos, African Americans, and American Indians are disproportionately affected and have higher rates of PTSD than non-Latino whites.

    People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares they may feel sadness, fear or anger and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as a loud noise or an accidental touch.

    Look Out For Warning Signs

    You might see a change in the behaviour of the person you want to support. For example:

    • a change in their mood, such as often feeling low, anxious, upset, angry or irritated
    • a change in performance at work, such as lateness or missing deadlines
    • a change in energy levels, such as extreme alertness or a lack of concentration.

    If you notice these sorts of changes in someone close to you, you could ask them how they are feeling. This might encourage them to open up.

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    Prevalence And Presentation Of Ptsd

    In the United States, it is estimated that 8 percent of the population struggles with Posttraumatic-Stress Disordee . Trauma is defined as a disturbing or terrifying event that is experienced firsthand or witnessed.

    PTSD is a serious mental condition that should be treated with self-administered coping skills and working with a licensed therapist.

    When someone struggles with PTSD it can affect every part of their lives. It can make doing everyday activities extremely challenging or impossible.

    Its also common for people who struggle with PTSD will turn to unhealthy ways of coping such as excessive alcohol or drug use. This can lead to developing addictions towards these substances, which will only make PTSD symptoms worse.

    Unfortunately, due to stigmas and other shame-based issues, people with PTSD will try to ignore their symptoms of anxiety. This can be a debilitating way to live life because you are constantly haunted by the event that triggered the PTSD, to begin with.

    Its important to remember that working through your PTSD or managing it in a better way is possible.

    With that said, here are 11 ways to manage your PTSD at home. These are simple interventions that anyone can do, but they are powerful and effective.

    Its important to be patient with yourself while you try each one to see which ones work best for you and your symptoms of PTSD.

    Help For Veterans With Ptsd

    Pin on PTSD Caregivers

    If youre helping a veteran with PTSD, the above tips are all important, but there may be additional considerations. For example, if your loved one got PTSD due to being in a combat zone, you may wish to learn more about the effect that being in a combat zone has on a person. The effects of war on a person is the focus of this section at the National Center for PTSD: War.

    You should also know that the VA offers a lot of help for veterans with PTSD. Veterans should see their local Vet Center for help or call the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255, and pressing 1.

    APA ReferenceTracy, N. . How to Help Someone with PTSD, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2022, September 17 from https://www.healthyplace.com/ptsd-and-stress-disorders/ptsd/how-to-help-someone-with-ptsd

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    Who Develops Ptsd

    Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. This includes combat veterans as well as people who have experienced or witnessed a physical or sexual assault, abuse, an accident, a disaster, a terror attack, or other serious events. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are no longer in danger.

    Not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous event. In some cases, learning that a relative or close friend experienced trauma can cause PTSD.

    According to the National Center for PTSD, a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about seven or eight of every 100 people will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD. Certain aspects of the traumatic event and some biological factors may make some people more likely to develop PTSD.

    What Is A Trauma

    A trauma is a stressful event that makes a person fear for their or other people’s life or safety.

    Trauma events that can lead to PTSD include:

    • physical or sexual abuse, or assault
    • school or neighborhood violence
    • sudden or forceful loss of a parent
    • arrests, evictions
    • being the target of hate, or threats of harm

    An event can be a trauma for someone even if they dont go through the danger themselves. For example, seeing someone else be hurt or die from violence can be a trauma.

    Hearing that someone close died by violence or suicide can be a trauma too. The grief can be intense with this type of loss. It is called traumatic grief.

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    Practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation

    One of the best ways to promote inner-calmness is to engage in progressive muscle relaxation . By doing so, you train your body to cope with anxiety in healthy, meaningful ways.

    PMR doesnt take long just five or ten minutes. You can learn more about this relaxation technique by visiting this body scan article.

    What Can I Do To Help Myself

    Introduction to the PTSD Coach app

    It is important to know that, although it may take some time, you can get better with treatment. Here are some things you can do to help yourself:

    • Talk with your health care provider about treatment options, and follow your treatment plan.
    • Engage in exercise, mindfulness, or other activities that help reduce stress.
    • Try to maintain routines for meals, exercise, and sleep.
    • Set realistic goals and do what you can as you are able.
    • Spend time with trusted friends or relatives, and tell them about things that may trigger symptoms.
    • Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately.
    • Avoid use of alcohol or drugs.

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    How Can You Support Someone With Ptsd

    Listen to them

    PTSD in romantic relationships, family relationships and friendships can be challenging, but its important to let your loved one know that youre always there to support and listen to them. Encourage them to open up to you about how theyre feeling and how the trauma is impacting on their day-to-day life, but dont pressurise them into doing so let them know that they can talk to you at their own pace and youll always be ready to listen.

    Dont be judgemental

    If your loved one does open up to you about how theyre feeling, its so important to avoid being judgemental. This can be worrying if you don’t know how to talk to someone with PTSD and if youve never experienced trauma or PTSD, it can be hard to fully understand what theyre going through. However, trauma is subjective everyone experiences it differently and what may be traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for someone else. What your loved one is experiencing is very real to them and its crucial not to dismiss what theyre going through, make assumptions, or try and compare it to how you think you would feel in their situation.

    Learn about their symptoms and triggers

    Look after yourself

    Help them to seek professional support

    You could try to encourage them to speak to their GP about how theyre feeling, and even offer to go with them to support them. Their GP will be able to advise on next steps for treatment.

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