
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

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I'm good friends with a guy who has PTSD. I want to help, but am not sure how. Any suggestions are appreciated. I would like specifics on what helps during times he is having severe flashbacks.
Thanks
Thanks
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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!
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!
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.
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!
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
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.