What We’d Like Our Family Members To Know About

What we’d like our family members to know about living with PTSD

Suggestions from Veterans who were involved in combat in the Vietnam War. Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, 2000

1. Give me space when I need to be alone – don’t overwhelm me with questions. I’ll come and talk to you when I’m ready.

2. Get away from me if I am out of control, threatening, or violent.

3. Be patient with me, especially when I’m irritable.

4. Don’t personalize my behavior when I explode or get quiet.

5. Learn and rehearse a time-out process.

6. Don’t patronize me or tell me what to do. Treat me with respect and include me in conversations and decision making,

7. Don’t pity me.

8. Don’t say ‘l understand when there are some things that you cannot understand.

9. Realize that I have unpredictable highs and lows – good and bad days.

10. Anticipate my anniversary dates – recognize that these could be tough times.

11. I’d like to share my traumatic experiences with you, but I fear overwhelming you and losing you.

12. I want to be close to you and share my feelings, but I’m afraid to, and sometimes I don’t know how to express my emotions.

13. I also fear your judgment.

14. Know that I still love and care about you, even if I act like a jerk sometimes.

15. Don’t ask me to go to crowded or noisy places because I’m uncomfortable in those settings.

Published On:

Last updated on:

Disclaimer: The informational content on The Minds Journal have been created and reviewed by qualified mental health professionals. They are intended solely for educational and self-awareness purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress or have concerns about your mental health, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider.

Leave a Comment

Today's Horoscope

Accurate Daily Horoscope for 12 Zodiac Signs

Daily Horoscope 9 July 2025: Prediction For Each Zodiac Sign

🌟 Ready to unlock the secrets of 9 July, 2025? Discover your personalized horoscope and see what the stars have in store for you today! ✨🔮

Latest Quizzes

Which Labubu Are You? 6 Mischievous Labubu Personalities

Which Labubu Are You? Find Out What Mischievous Energy You Bring!

Labubu doesn’t follow rules, Labubu makes them. Wild, expressive, and a little chaotic. Ready to find your mischief match? Hit "START" and let’s go!

Latest Quotes

The Hardest Part Of Being Emotionally Intelligent - Empath Quotes

The Hardest Part Of Being Emotionally Intelligent – Empath Quotes

People often forget that those who seem the strongest emotionally are also the ones who hurt quietly.

Readers Blog

Smiling Through Storms: A Testament To Healing And Truth 

Smiling Through Storms: A Testament To Healing And Truth 

For the longest time, I have been missing from the digital footprint of my creative nurture, and I might ponder why that was. I have been satisfying my wanderlust of learning new things, meeting new people, seeing new places and adhering to strict schedules. If you ask me how my life has been and how…

Latest Articles

What we’d like our family members to know about living with PTSD

Suggestions from Veterans who were involved in combat in the Vietnam War. Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, 2000

1. Give me space when I need to be alone – don’t overwhelm me with questions. I’ll come and talk to you when I’m ready.

2. Get away from me if I am out of control, threatening, or violent.

3. Be patient with me, especially when I’m irritable.

4. Don’t personalize my behavior when I explode or get quiet.

5. Learn and rehearse a time-out process.

6. Don’t patronize me or tell me what to do. Treat me with respect and include me in conversations and decision making,

7. Don’t pity me.

8. Don’t say ‘l understand when there are some things that you cannot understand.

9. Realize that I have unpredictable highs and lows – good and bad days.

10. Anticipate my anniversary dates – recognize that these could be tough times.

11. I’d like to share my traumatic experiences with you, but I fear overwhelming you and losing you.

12. I want to be close to you and share my feelings, but I’m afraid to, and sometimes I don’t know how to express my emotions.

13. I also fear your judgment.

14. Know that I still love and care about you, even if I act like a jerk sometimes.

15. Don’t ask me to go to crowded or noisy places because I’m uncomfortable in those settings.

Published On:

Last updated on:

Anirban Das

Leave a Comment

    Leave a Comment