Helping Someone With PTSD

Living with and Helping Someone with PTSD

Virginia J. Duffy PhD NPP

Research with veterans has shown that PTSD can take a severe toll on intimate relationships. Problems often occur in many areas of marital and family life when one partner suffers from PTSD. Spouses, children, extended family, friends, peers and social contacts can all be at risk. The VA reports that 38% of marriages of soldiers returning from Vietnam ended in less then 6 months after return.

PTSD can result in severe family stress including:

• general family dysfunction

• mental health problems in partners and children

• poor parenting

• violence

• divorce

• sexual problems

• caregiver burden and burnout

• divorce

Friendships can be lost by:

• avoidance

• feelings of not being understood

• personality changes

• irritability and anger

• misunderstandings

• fear

Work Relationships can be difficult due to:

• lack of meaning in work

• inability to concentrate

• feelings of special entitlement

• anger

• loss of connection to peers

In the articles that follow you will find some ideas about how to live with and help a loved one who has PTSD

This site is entirely funded by Dr. Duffy Please send any email correspondence to: