Helping a Loved One with PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that affects the daily lives of 3.5% of American adults. Following a traumatic event, you can experience a range of concerning and even frightening symptoms that make it hard for you to keep up with your responsibilities.

Loving someone with PTSD can be stressful, especially if you aren’t sure how to help. At Klarity Clinic, our team provides innovative therapies, including ketamine infusion therapy to treat symptoms of PTSD.

We also provide guidance to help you support someone you love as they learn to manage their mental and emotional health after a PTSD diagnosis.

What to know about PTSD

PTSD can develop in anyone at any time. Many people begin experiencing PTSD symptoms after being involved in or witness a traumatic incident, such as:

• Car accidents
• War conflict
• Physical violence
• Sexual abuse
• Natural disasters
• Death of a loved one

Not everyone develops PTSD symptoms right away. It can take weeks or months for you to notice symptoms like flashbacks, negative thoughts, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

If a loved one has PTSD, you may notice unusual changes in their behaviors, like isolation, social avoidance, a loss of interest in hobbies and activities, and being easily startled. You may feel unclear about  how to help someone through the bleak periods of PTSD, and that’s normal.

Supporting someone with PTSD

The first thing you can do to support someone you love who has PTSD is to encourage them to seek treatment. Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy (talk therapy), and medications.

Our team at Klarity Clinic offers ketamine infusion therapy, an effective treatment for PTSD when other therapies aren’t working well. Ketamine is a prescription medication that can increase the levels of glutamate, the largest neurotransmitter in your brain, to restore normal brain function. It also repairs damaged neural connections so your brain can heal.

As your loved one goes through therapy, you can help by:

1. Accompanying them to their therapy appointments
2. Learning what you can about PTSD and its symptoms
3. Listening to what they have to say without offering advice
4. Giving them space but be available for support
5. Helping them build a larger support system with family and friends

It’s also important that you plan activities that help them stay physically active. Exercise is essential for good physical and mental health, and fun activities can provide a needed distraction. If your loved one shies away from social situations, let them know that you understand without blaming or judging them.

Don’t neglect your own needs

If you’re especially close to someone with PTSD or live with them, you also need to remember to take care of yourself. Have a plan in place if the individual acts out violently or recklessly as a result of PTSD.

You also need to spend time away from your loved one, so you can recharge your energy. Building your own support system is just as important for your health and wellness as it is for your loved one.

To find out how ketamine infusion therapy can relieve symptoms of PTSD, call the Klarity Clinic office nearest to you today, or book an appointment online.