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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Ozmum62
Ozmum62
Hoping to learn heaps and find something to help my kids.

My dd15 had an intense flashback yesterday and I was called by the school to pick her up. The poor teacher had no idea how to help or what was going on as we haven't really told any of the teachers what our family is dealing with. I feel so out of my depth to help my dd as I am also struggling with many symptoms of ptsd and every time my children react I seem to get worse.

Any advice or suggestions on how to help my girls cope with flashbacks? They are both in counselling and I don't want to interfere with that. Their counsellors are great, but there is so much ground to cover I'm not sure what gets dealt with. I know that flashbacks can be very exhausting and difficult to cope with.
john12as
john12as
Do role plays with them where you practice how to process the intense feelings that come flooding in.

Breathing exercises, grounding techniques, etc.... there are hundreds of strategies, practice the ones that work for them.

For some people, flashbacks are opportunities to heal... But this kind of healing takes practice... Thus, the role play exercises.
Ozmum62
Ozmum62
Thanks for the replies. Some food for thought there. I spoke with dd's counsellor today and she said that my approach was exactly right. She will discuss what happened and how to possibly manage it with dd and also suggested a combined counselling session as a possibility to cover some issues I raised. It's so hard as the mum to keep it together for your children's sake when you have your own inner turmoil going on!
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Glad youre here. I dont have any expert advice, but I was a kid who had flashbacks at school, too. I guess what helped was finding something that would ground me, bring me back to earth gently, back to the present with a welcome, not a slap, if you get what I mean. I didnt need to be punished for not paying attention, that sort of thing. My fourth grade teacher was smart and figured out that writing worked for me. I wrote and wrote my heart out for her, stories, whatever, just getting feelings out. It still helps.
LeoX3
LeoX3
Just a big hug for you and yours, and so glad about combined session. my hubby goes to one of mine a week, and he has learned a great deal on when i need what kind of help.

smiles, leo