Posted on Oct 30, 2015
Do you know the 10 ways to support a friend battling PTSD?
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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.
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.
Victory for Veterans (VFV)
PTSD
Suicide
Soldiers
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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7
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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 (Join to see) what do you think about these 20 ways to support a friend who has PTSD
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 (Join to see) what do you think about these 20 ways to support a friend who has PTSD
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SGT (Join to see)
LTC Stephen F., Sir they are great advice. I would caution though, to think they will be your friend. Some will, some won't. Also, don't ask them any personal questions. There might be other problems at home or work. That is none of our business, and unless they want to include that in their PTSD problems as an accessory, don't ask. Lots of times, by what someone else says, it may spark an interest in the vet relating to the person talking. I was introduced to a vet by a VA counselor about 10 years ago. I was asked to show him the ropes. We hit it off right away. We got so close we were calling each other brother. He was a recovering alcoholic. Then one day, about four years ago, he cut off all communication with me and everyone else. He started drinking again, and eventually quit coming to the VA. He wouldn't answer my calls or texts so one day I drove the 21/2 hours to his home. He wouldn't answer the door. He wanted to be left alone so he could stay drunk all the time and not have to worry about being bothered by any friends. It broke my heart and I swore I would still help someone with PTSD, but never get close to anyone again. I call him when I think about it and leave him a message.
One of our group member was friendly and had a great sense of humor. We all knew each other about ten years, and we would discuss some of our problems by talking to each other. We all trusted each other. Then, one day he went home, gave his Harley away, set his house on fire, and shot himself in the head. Some of the newer vets come into counseling and leave before we're finished and never come back. You just never really know what's going on in that brain that has PTSD. But, if you follow these suggestions, all you can do, is all you can do. It's really up to the vet to decide if he wants help, to get help, and go the distance to accomplish that goal.
One of our group member was friendly and had a great sense of humor. We all knew each other about ten years, and we would discuss some of our problems by talking to each other. We all trusted each other. Then, one day he went home, gave his Harley away, set his house on fire, and shot himself in the head. Some of the newer vets come into counseling and leave before we're finished and never come back. You just never really know what's going on in that brain that has PTSD. But, if you follow these suggestions, all you can do, is all you can do. It's really up to the vet to decide if he wants help, to get help, and go the distance to accomplish that goal.
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LTC Stephen F.
SGT (Join to see) - thanks. I would only attempt to apply these guidelines for my own friends not people I don't know. I think trained counselors would be the only ones who should attempt to apply the above rules with people they don't personally know.
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SGT (Join to see)
LTC Stephen F., It is difficult if not impossible, to get a stranger to believe they have PTSD, and get help for it. In a counseling session the counsellors, after the group gets to know each other, depends on feedback from the other members.
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