Supporting Someone with PTSD: A Guide to Understanding
Trauma can be likened to an invisible wound that remains after a traumatic event. People's reactions to trauma can vary widely, from no negative consequences to severe ones, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It's important to understand that only medical professionals can diagnose this condition.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a psychological response to a traumatic event experienced. Those with PTSD often try to forget what happened but find themselves unable to do so. The trauma is relived repeatedly through memories or nightmares, causing significant discomfort, leading to insomnia, anxiety, physical pain, concentration difficulties, and isolation. It's as if the traumatic event has not become a thing of the past.
Symptoms include:
- Involuntary recurring experiences
- Increased irritability and anger outbursts
- Hyper-vigilance
- Constant feelings of anxiety
- Risky or self-destructive behavior
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nightmares or poor sleep
What are flashbacks?
Flashbacks occur when a person behaves as if they are in another place and the danger they once faced is happening again. This mechanism seemingly protects the individual, as they behave as if they are saving themselves, which may include screaming, crying, hiding, etc.
Triggers for flashbacks can be:
- Visual images
- Sounds
- Smells
- Tactile sensations
- Certain feelings or emotions
How to respond?
Ensure your safety and that you have the resources to help without being frightened yourself. Remember, for the person experiencing this, it's happening against their will, so it's crucial to treat them with respect. Check if the person has inflicted physical harm on themselves; if so, you may need to call emergency services.
Let the person know they are not alone. Say loudly enough to be heard: "I'm here, I can stay with you, I'm not going anywhere." You can introduce yourself and reassure them that there is no danger: "You're safe, nothing is happening, I'm with you." Start bringing the person back to reality. When you see they respond to your voice, ask them where they actually are. Take your time, and if necessary, repeat. When the person responds better to your voice, you can ask their name, ask them to describe something: "How many chairs are around you? What color are they?"
Ways to help:
- Assess your safety in the situation
- Do not invalidate the person or treat them as ill
- Speak in simple, short, clear, and moderately loud words, but do not shout
- Do not ask too much: "What was that? What did you feel? Oh my God, you scared me!"
- The main principle is to not cause further harm!
What else can be done?
Continuously reassure the person that you are there. You can also offer to hold their hand with their permission, sit beside them. Help them realize reality and regain control over their life.
You can ask a question that involves a choice: "What do you want right now: to eat or drink? What will you do now? Where will you go?"
If none of this helps — always act from a position of your safety and the principle of "do no harm," therefore, seek help from medical professionals.
REMEMBER, all these reactions are responses to abnormal circumstances that the person once experienced. Eventually, they may not even remember what happened at that moment.