Do you know the 10 ways to support a friend battling PTSD?

2015-10-30T08:05:38-04:00

Did you know the (10) Ways To Support A Friend Battling PTSD?

In order to assist those struggling to find a way to support a friend through his or her struggle with PTSD, here are a few tips and suggestions.

http://taskandpurpose.com/10-ways-to-support-a-friend-battling-ptsd/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share&utm_content=tp-share

Virtual World Solutions d/b/a Sponsor a Vet Life can provide additional support and many more tips for those veterans and acive duty service members and their families that are fighting this battle.

Check out the newsletter, website, and link to attend a demonstration to get more facts and information about the VWS SAVL program on their RP Group Page:

https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/sponsor-a-vet-life-virtual-world-solutions-d-b-a-sponsor-a-vet-life
Here’s how to show your support.

There is a lot of information circulating about identifying and getting appropriate treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Much of that information discusses how research has consistently demonstrated that social support is vital to recovery and is one of the biggest protective factors against PTSD. Social support has a number of positive benefits following a trauma, including reducing feelings of depression, guilt, loneliness, low self-esteem, stress, and social withdrawal.

While one may recognize the importance of social support for our battle buddies with PTSD, it may be difficult to determine how to go about providing good social support to those who need it most. Some individuals struggling with their symptoms may actually alienate those around them, making it even more difficult for friends to reach out and provide support. This is a difficult dilemma to navigate.

10 Ways To Support A Friend Battling PTSD

Here’s how to show your support.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 30 at 2015 8:06 AM

2015-10-30T08:06:55-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs thank you for the timely post. Let's all pass it on!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 8:08 AM

2015-10-30T08:08:22-04:00

Thanks for sharing COL Mikel J. Burroughs . Great advice.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 30 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-10-30T09:16:24-04:00

Thanks COL Mikel J. Burroughs. I have posted my thoughts in [brackets as usual] :-)
1. Be patient. [good advice]
2. Don’t expect much in return. [That is a very low bar, as a friend I was would expect much in return from my friend - mostly friendship.]
3. Don’t judge. [every day we judge and that is how we make good or bad decisions.]
4. Don’t pressure a friend to talk about their trauma. [4 and 5 seem to be almost opposite]
5. Reach out. [I concur with reaching out; but, I don't see how you can really reach out without "pressuring" your friend to talk - otherwise what is the point of reaching out.]
6. Listen. [good advice; but, sometimes you need to be able to encourage your friend to talk - can be a way of distraction form what is going on inside our heads.]
7. Make your battle buddy feel secure. [that is not our responsibility. People who are depressed or have PTSD will have episodes of emotional outbursts or "inbursts" for the suicidal which we can help them get through but there is no way we can make somebody feel secure when the battle is inside them. All we can do is help stabilize the environment.]
8. Encourage your battle buddy to seek treatment. [hard to do without violating point 4; I would recommend if possible offer to go with your friend to the treatment - take your friend there and spend some time with your friend afterwards.]
9. Be prepared for some confusing emotions and be kind to yourself. [that is part of the daily grind of life for most veterans and others who have led traumatic lives - including long term exposure to mushroom treatment "kept in the dark and fed BS"]
10. Take care of yourself and set boundaries. [okay, nothing amazing there]:-)
SGT Private RallyPoint Member what do you think about these 20 ways to support a friend who has PTSD

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 30 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-10-30T14:38:00-04:00

PTSD requires individual shaping operations as it does not make sense to take on all the symptoms at one time. Survivors of PTSD have a gift and that is experience and a journey.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 30 at 2015 10:02 PM

2015-10-30T22:02:42-04:00

Thanks for sharing. These are some great tips and I do follow most of it when supporting my friends who have PTSD.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Oct 30 at 2015 10:04 PM

2015-10-30T22:04:07-04:00

Yes sir, I sure do.