Hello, it’s Kim here on the Dóchas blog. When a loved one has PTSD, it affects the whole family. Since June is PTSD Awareness Month and June 27 was PTSD Awareness Day, I want to send out a message of encouragement and support for all families of those who experience PTSD. You can watch it below:

PTSD is a cause that is very, very close to my heart, and National PTSD Awareness Day is a day that’s very important for me to speak about. The majority of my clientele struggle with PTSD, specifically complex PTSD. If you personally have been diagnosed with PTSD, I have a resource here for you too: What it means to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I’ll sometimes say to my clients that when one member of the family has PTSD, they all have PTSD, because the symptoms the family experiences mimic anxiety, depression, and a whole bunch of other things that are hard to understand and really difficult to predict like the experience of someone with PTSD. This means the entire support group of that person can feel as confused and uncertain as the person with PTSD feels.

So you can see how support and compassion can really make a difference to the families of someone with PTSD as well. After everything that is happening and has happened over the past few years, we’re seeing a need in the world for togetherness and connection. Understanding that they may be going through ups and downs, and reaching out to them to see how they’re doing can send that message that they’re not alone in their experience.

This can be as simple as respecting how much they want to talk about their experiences, as well as being a listening ear if they need to process what’s happening with their loved one.

I would invite everyone to contribute their understanding, their kindness, their compassion, not only to the person who’s struggling with PTSD—it’s a very difficult journey of recovery, but a beautiful one—but also that kindness, compassion and support extended to the families who are just trying to support their loved one in the best way that they can. That’s really the message I want to bring out today.

If you want to know more, feel free to contact us. I’m always willing to share information or just lend an ear. You can reach out through email at info@dochaspsych.com, or you could call our main office at (780) 446 0300. You will speak with our amazing business manager who has a lovely warm heart and she will connect you with whoever you need to be connected with. And we all love to share information and just be of support to people. So as always, until next time. Please take care.

About Dóchas Psychological

Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.

Disclaimer

Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.