Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be debilitating for anyone who experiences it. People with PTSD often suffer from panic attacks, night terrors, and other symptoms that can have a significant negative impact on their daily lives. However, PTSD can also affect an individual’s loved ones. The partner, close friend, parent, or sibling of an individual with PTSD can feel like their own life has changed as a result of their loved one’s struggles with PTSD. 

But why does PTSD end up influencing those who don’t have the diagnosis themselves? And what kind of effect can it have on their lives? Let’s explore the answers to these complex questions.

Feeling Isolated

Someone whose loved one is dealing with PTSD might feel isolated in some ways. They may worry that they can’t get through to their loved one. At times, they may even wonder if their presence is helping or hurting their loved one. They might feel guilty that they can’t help, but at the same time, they may not want to express these feelings to anyone, fearing that it might seem inconsiderate when their loved one is going through something so difficult.

Uncertainty

If your loved one has PTSD, you might feel uncertain about your relationship with them. You may look back on the times you spent together in the past, and wish that you could relive those happier days over and over again. Occasionally, you might think about the future and the plans and dreams that you had with your loved one, wondering if you’ll ever get to achieve those goals together. Furthermore, you may simply feel uncertain about where you stand with your loved one now, especially if it’s been hard to communicate with them.

Experiencing Grief

Grief comes in all forms. Yes, seeing a loved one suffer can cause you grief. You might grieve for everything that your loved one has missed out on as a result of their symptoms. You may feel genuine pain for what your friend has experienced, especially if they have ever opened up to you about the details of their trauma. Even if you did not go through these experiences yourself, your empathy and the depth of your connection with your loved one can lead you to personally grieve.

Changes in Routine

Maybe you and your loved one had certain hobbies that you enjoyed together. Now, those activities have been pushed to the back burner. There are holes in your schedule when you used to spend time with your loved one. Or perhaps your loved one is leaning on you a lot more these days, and because they depend on you so heavily, you’ve had to change your routine to accommodate them. It can be hard to deal with changes in your routine and increased responsibilities. You might feel like your own life has been transformed by your loved one’s diagnosis.

Depression and Anxiety

Yes, seeing a loved one struggle with PTSD can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety in others. Mental health conditions are not contagious. But when someone you care about is suffering, it’s practically impossible not to feel affected emotionally. You might notice that you feel anxious more often, especially when you think about your loved one’s wellbeing. Sometimes, you may even feel depressed when you consider how your relationship has changed, and what your loved one must be dealing with as they live with their symptoms. All of these emotions are perfectly normal, but they can be difficult to deal with.

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Are you struggling to help a relative with PTSD? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.