Table of contents:
- Get to know PTSD more deeply
- What you can do to help your partner cope with PTSD
- 1. Never discuss or bring up the trauma
- 2. Shower himself with love and affection
- 3. Be a good listener
- 4. Take control of yourself
PTSD is a mental disorder that occurs after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event in the past. For example, crimes, natural disasters, domestic violence, traffic accidents, and sexual violence. If your partner experiences this, what can you do to help him cope with PTSD?
Get to know PTSD more deeply
Not everyone who has past trauma will experience PTSD. But in truth, a memory will never really be erased or forgotten.
In people who are more sensitive, bad memories can pop back up to the surface every now and then even when buried deep. This is because the nervous system of the human brain is designed differently, and is also affected differently by different triggers.
That's why someone who has PTSD is prone to experiencing flashbacks (flashbacks) when triggered by a specific thing that reminds him of the event. In some people, other relapsing PTSD symptoms can also be very debilitating.
However, that doesn't mean PTSD can't be cured. With support and affection from friends and family, including you, your partner can easily cope with PTSD.
What you can do to help your partner cope with PTSD
it's not easy to live with someone who has PTSD. When your partner has PTSD, you may be confused about the right way to deal with it. You may also feel angry about what happened to your partner.
But if you feel bad about your partner's situation, then your partner will be worse off. Therefore, your help or support is very important for your partner to overcome PTSD and move on with his life.
1. Never discuss or bring up the trauma
This is the most important principle that you must remember and stick to carefully. You need to know what the specific triggers are and the reaction patterns when PTSD relapses.
This can be accomplished by asking slowly, and not forcing her to talk. However, after knowing the trigger, never openly discuss the trauma or even deliberately bring it up.
PTSD can cause her to experience panic attacks and anxiety attacks once she is reminded of the traumatic event. What's more, a person with PTSD may not always be aware of or control their behavior at the time Flash back appeared suddenly. This is because their brains are "hijacked" with the instinct to reflex to protect themselves in order to avoid the same incident from happening again.
By knowing the individuals, objects, places, situations, sounds, or even smells that can trigger your partner's PTSD, you can help prevent them from coming into contact with these things.
2. Shower himself with love and affection
People with PTSD often isolate themselves from friends and family as a way to avoid remembering their trauma. Even so, isolation will actually make him vulnerable to remembering the past.
Showing love and support for people with PTSD is not always easy. They feel they can't trust others or even themselves. PTSD can also make him irritable and depressed because he will always see the world as a very dangerous and frightening place.
However, as a good partner and committed to "having a hard time together", it is important for you to build a sense of trust and security for him. For example, by continuing to spend time together every Sunday night as usual, or inviting him to visit other relatives.
Always make sure there are no triggers Flash back trauma when the two of you go out together
Your comfort and ongoing support can help her fight feelings of helplessness, sadness, and hopelessness. In fact, trauma experts believe that face-to-face support from others is the most important factor in the recovery process for PTSD.
3. Be a good listener
You shouldn't force your partner to talk about past traumas or for them to tell you what triggered them. However, this does not mean that the lines of communication between the two of you have to be completely cut off.
Let your partner know that you are willing to listen when they are feeling really overwhelmed. Listen to your partner sincerely without interrupting the conversation. Moreover, to judge him or corner him. Even though it may be hard to hear him, make it clear that you really care about him. Offer him advice when he needs it.
If your partner doesn't feel like talking, show caring and affection in other ways. For example, offer "services" for mere accompany him and become a place to lean on in silence.
4. Take control of yourself
As with any physical illness, recovery from a mental illness such as PTSD is a time-consuming process. Stay positive and maintain the support you give your partner.
You have to be patient and don't get provoked. Stay calm, relaxed, and focused on calming her down any time her PTSD symptoms recur.
Apart from that, you need to enrich your knowledge about PTSD. The more you know about the PTSD symptoms, effects, and treatment options available, the more skilled you will be at helping and understanding your partner's condition.
