How to Help a Family Member Who Has PTSD

National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Helping a Family Member Who Has PTSD

When someone has PTSD, it can change family life. The person with PTSD may act differently and get angry easily. He or she may not want to do things you used to enjoy together.

You may feel scared and frustrated about the changes you see in your loved one. You also may feel angry about what's happening to your family, or wonder if things will ever go back to the way they were. These feelings and worries are common in people who have a family member with PTSD.

It is important to learn about PTSD so you can understand why it happened, how it is treated, and what you can do to help. But you also need to take care of yourself. Changes in family life are stressful, and taking care of yourself will make it easier to cope.


How can I help?

You may feel helpless, but there are many things you can do. Nobody expects you to have all the answers.

Here are ways you can help:

  • Learn as much as you can about PTSD. Knowing how PTSD affects people may help you understand what your family member is going through. The more you know, the better you and your family can handle PTSD.
  • Offer to go to doctor visits with your family member. You can help keep track of medicine and therapy, and you can be there for support.
  • Tell your loved one you want to listen and that you also understand if he or she doesn't feel like talking.
  • Plan family activities together, like having dinner or going to a movie.
  • Take a walk, go for a bike ride, or do some other physical activity together. Exercise is important for health and helps clear your mind.
  • Encourage contact with family and close friends. A support system will help your family member get through difficult changes and stressful times.

Your family member may not want your help. If this happens, keep in mind that withdrawal can be a symptom of PTSD. A person who withdraws may not feel like talking, taking part in group activities, or being around other people. Give your loved one space, but tell him or her that you will always be ready to help.


How can I deal with anger or violent behavior?

Your family member may feel angry about many things. Anger is a normal reaction to trauma, but it can hurt relationships and make it hard to think clearly. Anger also can be frightening.

If anger leads to violent behavior or abuse, it's dangerous. Go to a safe place and call for help right away. Make sure children are in a safe place as well.

It's hard to talk to someone who is angry. One thing you can do is set up a time-out system. This helps you find a way to talk even while angry. Here's one way to do this.

  • Agree that either of you can call a time-out at any time.
  • Agree that when someone calls a time-out, the discussion must stop right then.
  • Decide on a signal you will use to call a time-out. The signal can be a word that you say or a hand signal.
  • Agree to tell each other where you will be and what you will be doing during the time-out. Tell each other what time you will come back.

While you are taking a time-out, don't focus on how angry you feel. Instead, think calmly about how you will talk things over and solve the problem.

After taking a "time-out"

  • Take turns talking about solutions to the problem. Listen without interrupting.
  • Use statements starting with "I," such as "I think" or "I feel." Using "you" statements can sound accusing.
  • Be open to each other's ideas. Don't criticize each other.
  • Focus on things you both think will work. It's likely you will both have good ideas.
  • Together, agree which solutions you will use.

How can I communicate better?

You and your family may have trouble talking about feelings, worries, and everyday problems. Here are some ways to communicate better:

  • Be clear and to the point.
  • Be positive. Blame and negative talk won't help the situation.
  • Be a good listener. Don't argue or interrupt. Repeat what you hear to make sure you understand, and ask questions if you need to know more.
  • Put your feelings into words. Your loved one may not know you are sad or frustrated unless you are clear about your feelings.
  • Help your family member put feelings into words. Ask, "Are you feeling angry? Sad? Worried?"
  • Ask how you can help.
  • Don't give advice unless you are asked.

If your family is having a lot of trouble talking things over, consider trying family therapy. Family therapy is a type of counseling that involves your whole family. A therapist helps you and your family communicate, maintain good relationships, and cope with tough emotions.

During therapy, each person can talk about how a problem is affecting the family. Family therapy can help family members understand and cope with PTSD.

Your health professional or a religious or social services organization can help you find a family therapist who specializes in PTSD.


How can I take care of myself?

Helping a person with PTSD can be hard on you. You may have your own feelings of fear and anger about the trauma. You may feel guilty because you wish your family member would just forget his or her problems and get on with life. You may feel confused or frustrated because your loved one has changed, and you may worry that your family life will never get back to normal.

All of this can drain you. It can affect your health and make it hard for you to help your loved one. If you're not careful, you may get sick yourself, become depressed, or burn out and stop helping your loved one.

To help yourself, you need to take care of yourself and have other people help you.

Self-care tips

  • Don't feel guilty or feel that you have to know it all. Remind yourself that nobody has all the answers. It's normal to feel helpless at times.
  • Don't feel bad if things change slowly. You cannot change anyone. People have to change themselves.
  • Take care of your physical and mental health. If you feel yourself getting sick or often feel sad and hopeless, see your doctor.
  • Don't give up your outside life. Make time for activities and hobbies you enjoy. Continue to see your friends.
  • Take time to be by yourself. Find a quiet place to gather your thoughts and "recharge."
  • Get regular exercise, even just a few minutes a day. Exercise is a healthy way to deal with stress.
  • Eat healthy foods. When you are busy, it may seem easier to eat fast food than to prepare healthy meals. But healthy foods will give you more energy to carry you through the day.
  • Remember the good things. It's easy to get weighed down by worry and stress. But don't forget to see and celebrate the good things that happen to you and your family.

Get help

During difficult times, it is important to have people in your life who you can depend on. These people are your support network. They can help you with everyday jobs, like taking a child to school, or by giving you love and understanding.

You may get support from:

  • Family members
  • Friends, coworkers, and neighbors
  • Members of your religious or spiritual group
  • Support groups
  • Doctors and other health professionals
Posted on BrainLine August 13, 2015. Reviewed August 9, 2018.

From the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, US Department of Veterans Affairs. www.ptsd.va.gov.

Comments (7)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

My mum tends to accuse me of things like trying to split my parents up, she's been doing it since i was little is that normal

I am concerned for my soldier overseas. He told me in December that he is depressed. Along with his telling me this, he has been up and down with his emotions. One day he says he loves me and i'm his biggest support and the next is fighting and says I have never loved him. Communication has been more difficult the longer he is gone. I feel like I have to walk on egg shells where he is concerned so he doesn't lash out. He even has gone to the extreme of counting how many times I would text in a day if he thought it wasn't enough. I tried backing off real communication in hopes of not upsetting him but that only made things worse. His last communication was a very mean and hurtful text ending our relationship of 2.5 years with "by the time you finish reading this, you will no longer be able to contact me in any way" "you pushed this, good bye." I don't know what to do, I love him so much and am so worried about him. How do I help him being 8000 miles away?

Dealing with a family member who has PTSD, but they won’t tell us what caused it.
Is that typical?

I have a son that was in the Marines that has it. He,and another LTJG Navy Officer pulled 4 crewman out of a crashed Osprey aircraft while on maneuvers. I didn't learn SOME of the story on what had happened until recently . He showed me an e-mail from the LTJG now Major (Yes he's been out for about 8 years). The e-mail told some of the story and the Major's comment said basically for what they did that other servicemen had gotten Bronze Stars for less.I still don't know the whole story but the people in charge of them told them to keep quiet about the incident (It involves another country when it happened and would have stopped their training operation).
MY personal thought is that these boys turned to men that day , give them the recognition they both deserve.

It is very common and it is because a lot of times it brings up too much emotion and they will or could actually have a trigger to relive the incident. If you must know, find a way of letting them know that it would help you to help them if you knew and make sure you put all judgment aside.

If you do end up finding out how it happened, never mention it unless they do and do not use it as a weapon when in a disagreement. Always encourage and reassure them that you will always be there for them and know and understand that it won't just go away. They need to know that you understand this. And that you've taken the time to research how you can help and not hinder in any situation.

Also, remain open-minded because triggers appear out of nowhere sometimes and if you know this you will not be confused, which will confuse them and betray the trust that has been built. Hope that helped.

Very helpful. Thank you

Thank you for the information. I really learned from it.