If you have a history of suffering from sexual abuse or an accident, chances are you might be suffering from PTSD. The symptoms can include flashbacks, anxiety, emotional numbness, and sudden anger. Statistics show that the prevalence of this condition in the U.S. is approximately 4% among U.S. adults and 8% among U.S. adolescents (13–18 years). But what are the PTSD effects on family dynamics and relationships? Let’s discuss!
What are Some Common PTSD Triggers?
If you or your loved one is suffering from PTSD, there are some common triggers that might put them in fight or flight mode. Here’s an overview for better understanding:
- People: Sometimes, you might come across a person who resembles the perpetrator in a traumatic event, leading to a PTSD reaction. For instance, if a bearded man assaulted you, seeing another man of such an appearance can bring back all the memories.
- Scents: Sensory experiences such as scents can also make a PTSD victim upset. Let’s say you are someone who escaped a fire. Next time, even when you come across a smoky smell, you’ll have disturbed mental health.
- Emotions: Well, the way you felt during an unfortunate incident (afraid, helpless, stressed) can stay with you even when that thing is over. Coming across that feeling again can lead to a racing heart, muscle tension, and severe PTSD effects on family dynamics.
- Places: Returning to the trauma location, whether it was a dark hallway or crowded marketplace, can also trigger intense reactions. Even places that look oddly similar can cause uneasiness, making the sufferer stop going out altogether.
- Videos and Footage: Often, a person may experience PTSD symptoms when they come across CCTV footage or an online video of events that are similar to their own, like hate speech, war, or a car accident.
What are the PTSD Effects on Family Dynamics?
There are various PTSD effects on family dynamics, including creating communication barriers, increasing reactivity, and a lack of trust. Let’s discuss these in detail:
Feelings of Avoidance and Isolation
The PTSD victims often see the world as too dangerous, isolating them from their partners and family. You avoid activities, places, or conversations that might trigger symptoms, and you avoid shared experiences altogether. There’s a zombie-like state that takes over you, making connections a hassle.
In some cases, the survivor tends to become overly dependent on the other person, the partner feels exhausted, and the survivor feels guilty. This isolation is often cynical and leads to constant feelings of rejection and aggressiveness.
Communication Challenges
People who experience PTSD often struggle to convey their emotions properly to their loved ones. You might try to share your inner feelings, but the words might not come right. Perhaps you don’t feel safe around others who hinder your sharing and connection.
On top of this, there are many combinations of PTSD symptoms, making it difficult for family members to understand your situation. The lack of communication can leave you and your family feeling frustrated, which can increase conflict.
Lack of Trust and Intimacy
One of the PTSD effects on family dynamics is the lack of trust and intimacy. When you experience trauma, it can shatter your sense of safety, so you aren’t able to trust anyone, even your loved ones. You can also go through feelings of unworthiness. A harmless comment can seem like a betrayal when your brain misinterprets natural cues as threats.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop just there; PTSD victims become emotionally unavailable and avoid or show disinterest in physical intimacy. As your partner approaches you, you freeze or push them away, leading to self-sabotage and unfulfillment. Statistics show that only 28% of men and 23% of women with PTSD said they were satisfied with their sex lives.
Increase in Hypervigilance
Among the PTSD effects on family dynamics is the way your brain’s alarm system, particularly the amygdala, remains in a state of chronic activation. It happens when the hippocampus, which guides the amygdala on whether the situation is safe, shrinks or becomes less efficient.
Your brain then struggles to differentiate past dangerous situations from present, safe ones. As a risk, there’s increased hypervigilance, with darting eyes and heightened senses. Some minor stresses can lead to irritability and outbursts of anger, making your partner feel they are walking on eggshells.
What Therapies are Helpful for PTSD Effects on Family Dynamics?
If you are seeing the PTSD effects on family dynamics, you shouldn’t wait until matters become serious. Rather, take immediate help from a psychiatrist or counsellor to manage your situation. Here are some therapies that are effective in this regard:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive processing therapy is particularly for trauma patients and revolves around exploring a patient’s story and beliefs. The therapist will ask the PTSD patient to pinpoint all upsetting thoughts, symptoms, and feelings. You might also write about the trauma and how it impacts your thought process. This will help you develop an understanding of your situation and change the negative thoughts.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Whether you are suffering from PTSD or C-PTSD, you should undergo the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It’s a psychotherapy treatment that has helped people of all ages overcome this condition.
In this, the therapist guides you to use eye movements, audio tones, and even small buzzers to stimulate the left and right sides of the brain.
Your brain easily processes intense and debilitating memories into simpler ones that don’t get the best of you. What truly makes it stand out is that you don’t have to talk about your trauma and only think about it during the session, which feels comfortable to the victim.
Structured Approach Therapy (SAT)
Having a partner who struggles with PTSD can be really challenging. One thing you can do for them is to take a Structured Approach Therapy (SAT), which is a manualized, couple-based treatment aiming to manage trauma, reduce avoidance, and improve emotional distress.
Unlike traditional therapies, where the complete focus is on changing negative thoughts, SAT relies on stress inoculation. It builds and strengthens emotional coping and paves the way for positive activation.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
The Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) or Tapping is a unique blend of ancient wisdom about the body and current understanding of the psychology of trauma. In this session, you or your practitioner will tap points on your face and body with your fingertips while focusing on a feeling or memory. It’s your roadmap for understanding and expressing your emotions in a healthy way.
Other than these therapies, you can also opt for Communication Skills Training, Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (CBCT), or medications. The exact choice will depend upon your condition, comfort level, expected results, and your budget.
Useful Strategies to Manage PTSD Triggers
Now that you are aware of the PTSD effects on family dynamics, let’s discuss the various strategies that you can follow to manage your PTSD Triggers:
Distract Yourself with Positive Activities
Whenever you feel PTSD effects on family dynamics, you should focus on distracting yourself with positives. Call a friend or start playing sports to stop your brain from falling into vicious thoughts.
Follow Mindfulness
You should also practice mindfulness by taking slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system. Inhale deeply, hold it there briefly, and exhale fully to release all your tensions. If this doesn’t work, you can also try the grounding technique.
Whenever there’s a flashback, anchor yourself in the present by finding the first 5 things you can see and any 3 things you can touch. Sending positive affirmations, such as “May I be peaceful” or “May I stay healthy and happy forever,” to yourself can also bring a sense of relaxation.
Keep Moving
Exercise and walking aren’t only good for your physical health; they also keep you away from negative feelings and PTSD effects on family dynamics. They do this by enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and activating the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, thereby promoting neuroplasticity. The brain reorganizes itself and all its functions in response to a traumatic memory or learning, so you can effectively manage stress and anxiety.
Have a Good Sleeping Routine
PTSD can make it very difficult to sleep, which significantly increases your stress levels. Therefore, another way to stop the reaction is to adjust your sleep schedule.
Start by stopping alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. If during sleep you get a nightmare, don’t panic, do something soothing like listening to music or talking to a loved one.
Write It All Out
When things feel heavy, and PTSD effects on family dynamics, increase; you should tend to write. Know that keeping a journal of all your thoughts can help you process your experiences and broaden your horizons. Your brain no longer feels like a “fragmented hard disc,” and memories become easier to manage.
Conclusion
The PTSD effects on family dynamics and relationships are quite severe, disturbing precious bonds. However, if you struggle with trauma effects on relationships and want reliable PTSD counseling in Louisville, Grace Psychological Services is the one-stop solution. We are compassionate and provide a safe space for you to let go of all your negative energy. So get in touch with us today!
