first of all i think it's awesome that you are helping your friend. my friends have been an irreplacable part of my healing process. keep up the good work!

when i have flashbacks, i can feel a little kid inside of me. literally. it's me when i was a kid...it's like my emotions froze every time i was abused so there's me at every stage of my life. so if he talks/acts like a child (i don't know how he was when the traumatic event happened), try to comfort him as you would a child. reassure him that he's safe, etc.

sometimes he might know something but not really accept it, so it sounds totally illogical (because it is), but in his mind it will be true. when i get panic attacks at night, i feel like the guy who molested me is in the house. i KNOW that he's 500 miles away and doesn't know where i am right now, but part of me (the little kid part) is convinced that he's there. so if he says something that sounds illogical, don't blow it off or tell him that's dumb, because he knows that but can't accept it.

when he's calm, find out what some of his triggers are, maybe you can help cut off a flashback before it starts.

that's all i can think of for now...good luck!

well you can just be there allow him to talk you can read about ptsd and flashbacks the way people deal with terror and inteense prolonged feelings of helplessness.

I am trying to get my husband to understand PTSD. I have it. He does not. It is difficult. When you go through a traumatic event like a rape, these flashbacks keep on coming. It has been a tough year for me. Just try to be loving and supportive!!

Check these links out:

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA05-4028/victimforprint.pdf

http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/docs/NASC.pdf

Also check out www.sidran.org to find out more on PTSD.

Hope that helps!

Pjann, well done for trying to stick by him and support him through this...

From personal experience, nothing really helps me when I'm having a flashback. Sometimes they are "minor" and will be almost unnoticeable to others, whereas other times it's much more obvious. I'm not there, I look scared etc... Normally, I just need time to come down from whatever has triggered me. The real pain comes after with the feelings it triggers. A flashback which is over in a matter of seconds may take me many days to shake off...

I've heard that people have some success when a carer talks to them calmly, telling them that they're safe, they're home, and that there is no danger... Never had anyone do that for me so cant comment further.

Take a look at the site at this link. It's got some useful info.

http://www.ptsduk.co.uk/experiences.html


Sammers.

Pjann--
WOW! First of all I commend you for going the extra mile and really trying to understand ptsd. What a great friend u are! You have already done the first thing, and that would be to learn about ptsd. Check out some of the sites people suggested on here. As was already mentioned, talk to your friend. Ask him what would help. There may not be anything specific you can do, but I'm quite sure that your interest and efforts to help will mean a lot.

I relate a lot to what LeoGirl had to say. Triggers are hard to gauge sometimes. There are specific sounds, smells and images that are instant triggers. A loving touch- like a hug or holding my hand can help to make me feel safe. Sometimes comforting word--"it's ok" "I'm here" are helpful, and sometimes just waiting out the trigger with me is all I need. Then I am not alone.

Again, I commend u for being such a great friend!

peace!

I;ve been using a device called alpha-stim and I'm impressed. It's like it's unwiring the source of ptsd. Alpha-Stim is approved by the VA for treatment of ptsd (www.alpha-stim.com)

Some people don't want to talk about what causes the flash backs. I'm one of them. Talking about them can fuel the flame.

Also, check out my 11/3 journal entry, open to the public...one is on PTSD, the other on Sexual Abuse....lots of weblinks there.

All of your advice was helpful this week as my friend went through a particularly hard time. He's doing better today. Thanks for your help.

i wish i hada friend like you.
my dr. and i are going over the idea of me having it..and i have no idea..so i just wanted to say thanks to you for being a good friend that has this terrifing problem

He is lucky to have a friend like you.And its awsome that you are doing research to help him.There are very few people that would do that.God Bless and Take Care.

its a emotional problem hes got to trust medication treatments.

Treat him like you would want to be treated

I do not have as many flashbacks as I use to. Time helps. I have a great support group, family and friends, who see me through the tough times.
Now most of my "flashes" happen in dreams. I am on good meds, for me anyway, that ease my mind during the day. Now when I think about that day that started all of this ( I can remember it all minute by minute) I try to switch my mind to being angry at the situation, proud that I took a stand, fought the system ( I was a Sp. Ed. Teacher)for change and it worked, gave the courage for other teachers voice their "angers" to the central office, and am always there to assist others in getting thru their struggles. I collect angels (happy ones), and believe that one (maybe several) is watching over me. Using my bad experience to help others has been one of my therapies. Sometimes you just have to sit and comfort him, but he has to learn some self- help coping skills so he can fight off the feelings before they blow up. Good luck...he is lucky to have you as a friend.