If you have a family member who is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to their time in the military, you may be feeling at a loss as to how to help them. It can be difficult to see your loved one suffer, and even more difficult to know how to make it better. This blog post will discuss some ways that you can help your family member overcome their war-related traumas.

Work With A Professional Mental Health Institute

One of the best ways you can help your family member who is struggling with PTSD is to work with a professional mental health institute. This type of facility will be able to provide your loved one with the care and treatment they need in order to overcome their disorder. At a mental health institute, your family member will be able to receive therapy, helping veterans is their specialty and they have a lot of experience in this area. This type of facility will also be able to provide your loved one with medication if necessary. If you are not sure where to find a mental health institute near you, you can search online or ask your family doctor for a recommendation.

Learn As Much As You Can

Your family member has been through a lot, and it’s important for you to try to understand what they’re dealing with. Learning as much as you can about PTSD will help you be a better support system for them. There are a ton of materials available, both online and at your local library. Take some time to read up on the condition so you can better understand what your loved one is going through.

Knowing is half the battle, and being informed will help you be a more supportive presence in your family member’s life. They need all the love and understanding they can get as they try to heal from their traumas. Every step of the journey, be there for them.

Prepare For Violent Outbursts

Your family member who is struggling with war-related traumas may exhibit violent outbursts as a symptom of their condition. It is important to be prepared for these episodes and to know how to best deal with them. First, try to stay calm and do not take the outbursts personally. Second, provide a safe space for your family member to vent their anger, whether that is through physical activity or simply talking. 

Lastly, be sure to follow up with your family member after the outburst to ensure they are doing alright and to provide support. If you can remain calm and understanding during your family member’s violent outbursts, you will be helping them immensely.

Become A Better Communicator

If you have a family member who is struggling to overcome war-related traumas, there are things you can do to help. One of the most important things you can do is to become a better communicator. This means learning to listen more effectively and communicating in a way that is supportive and helpful. It may also mean attending counseling sessions together or attending support groups. Whatever you do, the goal is to help your family member feel heard, understood, and supported.

Learn Their Triggers

When your loved one experiences a trigger, it can send them into a tailspin. It’s important that you learn what their triggers are so that you can help them avoid or cope with them. Anything from a sound to a smell to a sight might serve as a trigger. Once you know what their triggers are, you can help them avoid them or have a plan in place for how to deal with them if they do occur.

This can be a difficult task, as your loved one may not be aware of their own triggers. Pay close attention to their behavior and try to identify patterns. If you can’t figure it out on your own, consider talking to their therapist. Once you have a good understanding of their triggers, you can help them create a plan to avoid or deal with them.

Don’t Forget Yourself In Everything

If you are supporting a family member who is struggling with war-related traumas, it is important to take care of yourself as well. See our tips below for taking care of your own mental health while caring for a loved one.

It can be difficult to watch a loved one suffer from PTSD, but it’s important to remember that you can’t help them if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Make sure to schedule time for activities that help you relax and decompress. This could be something as simple as reading, going for walks, or spending time with friends.

Remember that if you have a family member struggling with war-related traumas, you are not alone. There are things you can do to help them through their journey. Be sure to educate yourself on the condition, become a better communicator, and don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. With love and support, your family member can overcome anything.