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One in three homeless
men in America is a veteran.
Read More |
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Jeffrey
was a silent hero, touching many lives......
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"Hope For Our Heros"
Rummage Sale! |
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Every dollar generated
goes toward helping combat veterans to receive mental
health care and treatment for combat PTSD” See Details |
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"To thy hands we our souls,
Lord, commend" |
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Loved ones lost to
combat PTSD related suicide.
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Provided by The US
Department of Veterans Affairs
How does PTSD affect family members?
Because the symptoms of PTSD and other trauma reactions
change how a trauma survivor feels and acts, traumatic
experiences that happen to one member of a family can
affect everyone else in the family. When trauma
reactions are severe and go on for some time without
treatment, they can cause major problems.
It's no wonder that family members react to the fact
that their loved one has gone through a trauma. It's
upsetting when someone you care about goes through a
terrible ordeal. And it's no wonder that people react to
the way a traumatized family member feels and acts.
Trauma symptoms can make a family member hard to get
along with or cause him or her to withdraw from the rest
of the family. It can be very difficult for everyone
when these changes occur. Just as people have different
reactions to traumatic experiences, families also react
differently when a loved one is traumatized. In the
section below, many different types of reactions are
described. A family may experience many of these
reactions, or only a few.
Sympathy
Depression
Fear and Worry
Avoidance
Guilt and Shame
Anger
Negative Feelings
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Sleep Problems
Health Problems
Family members of a traumatized person should find out
as much as they can
about PTSD and get help for themselves, even if their
loved one doesn't seek
treatment. Family members can encourage the survivor to
inquire about education and counseling, but they should
not pressure or try to force their loved one to get
help. Classes or treatment may also be useful for stress
and anger management, addiction, couples communication,
or parenting. Therapy for the family can often be sought
through the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as
private practive.
While in the process of getting help, if family members
feel comfortable,
they should let their loved one know that they are
willing to listen if the
survivor would like to talk about his or her trauma. But
the family should stop if anyone gets too upset or
overwhelmed. If everyone is able, it is also
important to talk about how the trauma is affecting the
family and what can be done about it. |
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Resources: |
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US
Department of Veterans Affairs |
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Read More: |
PTSD and Children
Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Understanding The Biology
of PTSD
Diagnostic Criteria of PTSD |
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