5 Things Wives Need to Know About PTSD
Imagine looking back to a time when your husband was calm and happy go lucky. Now looking at the present, you see this loving man challenged with these events swelling in their eyes. Every wife wants to be the answer on how to fix this. Lovingly ladies, instead of the solution we can help be apart of the process to healing. These 5 things will help wives identify and support husbands in this process.
Family and commitment balance
People in the army care for one another. A soldier does not go out into the field without caring for their people. They go out together into battle and they make sure to come home together.
If something goes wrong, a soldier does not leave their companion to be vulnerable simply because they have a family back home. They will stay and help their fellow solider get to safety, putting themselves at risk because that is how they support one another.
Early PTSD symptoms
When it seems like your husband is not the same here are a few signs to look for that could
be symptoms of PTSD:
- Having a short temper
- Not knowing how to respond
- Sudden anger
- Frustration
- Emotional highs and lows
- Overly hypervigilant
- Constantly looking at exists and changes in the surroundings
- Accelerated heart rate and headaches
- Disassociating with people
- Wanting to isolate and remain private
What a partner can do that helps
Being supportive without assuming what it feels like. Giving your partner space. Allow them to figure it out while letting them know that they are not alone. Helping to find the right treatment for your partner. Ask the therapist if they are equipped to treat PTSD and know treatment modules such as EMDR. Be compassionate and patient in the process. Getting professional help is important but pushing your husband into therapy is a losing battle. It needs
to be on your husband’s terms.
Recovery is not overnight
It takes time to move through something traumatic. Keep your expectations realistic in knowing that recovery will take some time.
Encourage your partner to pursue their recovery while holding space for them where they are currently at in their journey. You can validate their current emotions while supporting them to heal beyond them. Just the process of acknowledging your husband will be incredibly helpful and him seeing your patience will help the healing.
Be wary of people in your friend circle
There may be some people who will want your partner to regale stories from their time inaction. Do not let them near your partner and ask them to stop immediately.
Whenever you ask someone to tell you something about their past, the chances are likely that they will relive that moment in having to remember it and talk about it.
Protect your partner by making sure that people are not asking inappropriate question and goading them into telling them action stories. If they want a story, they can watch a movie.
