In the moments of not knowing what is going on, think about what you know. When people come out of traumatic events, they change because they are struggling to hang on to the life they knew before at the same time they are trying to ease into being a survivor of it. It is time to drive forward!
The best example is when men and women come home after combat. That trauma is obvious. No one thinks combat is easy. Most of the time you’re thanking God they came back to you.
At first, that is all you think about until the euphoria of the homecoming wears off and you see that there were changes in them. Don’t ignore it. Don’t wait for them to “get over it” because they got over it before. Sometimes, the other times started the change and the last one was just too much. Remember, they are all just humans, being asked to do extraordinary things.
You know them better than anyone else. When you see changes, talk to them and let them know you’re there for them and then get ready to listen.
Today’s featured video is Billy Joel It’s All About Soul.
“It’s all about soul
It’s all about faith and a deeper devotion
It’s all about soul
‘Cause under the love is a stronger emotion
She’s got to be strong
‘Cause so many things getting out of control
Should drive her away
So why does she stay?
It’s all about soul “
When you understand what PTSD, you can get them to go for help by helping them think about it in a different way. Remind them there is nothing to be ashamed of after being a survivor. Remind them that there are over 8 million Americans with PTSD just from what happens living in the civilian world and can hit them with just one event. How many events did they have?
Don’t force them to talk, but make sure you are always willing to listen. Don’t judge them if they don’t want to go somewhere with you but try to let them know they are welcome if they want to go too. Then go, have a good time. Go back home without a grudge because you had to explain one more time why they were not there. If it doesn’t bother you, then it doesn’t matter if it bothers the people you were with or not.
When you do finally get them to go for help, it is a good time for you to find support for yourself too. (I remember what being alone was like and it sucked.) When you find others, you learn from one another, support each other and realize how much power you do have.
This video is from 2008 with the song. I hope it helps!
