How to Deal With a Military Spouse's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
You can help your spouse recover from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with knowledge and the assistance of qualified helping professionals. Learn more about why this medical condition happens, how you can recognize the symptoms, ways you can help your spouse find treatment and your role as a caring partner.
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Instructions
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Educate yourself about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This medical condition develops when the survivor of a traumatic event witnesses or experiences life threatening circumstances such as combat. Confusion, anger or fear emerge after the event and settle or get worse over time.
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Recognize the symptoms of PTSD and talk to your spouse about ways you can support your partner when they happen. This anxiety disorder requires diagnosis and medical treatment. Nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, impaired concentration, sleep disturbance, nervousness, anxiousness, avoidance of reminders of the trauma and worry over threats are symptoms of PTSD.
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Encourage your spouse to seek the help of a qualified helping professional early before symptoms begin to interfere with daily activities. It may take several attempts to find the right treatment and therapist for your spouse. Accompany your partner on doctor visits, assist with record keeping and help ensure your spouse finds an effective therapist if trust and likeability issues arise. Seek the help of your own therapist, a support group or family therapy to help you cope.
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Plan activities to help your family relax, exercise, laugh and enjoy time together. Along these lines, find time to care for yourself. Stay healthy so you can effectively help your spouse. Build a support network from family, friends, co-workers and your local church for emotional support and occasional help with routine tasks.
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Show patience if your spouse withdraws, refuses to show intimacy or finds it difficult to communicate. Seek the assistance of your spouse's therapist for further help with these issues.
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Find effective ways to listen and communicate with your spouse. Use a time-out system when your partner shows anger. Seek the help of a marriage or family therapist if your family finds it difficult to talk.
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Visit PTSD Support Services, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder websites for access to fact sheets and additional resources.
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