How Do You Communicate With Someone With Ptsd?

[sun seeker]

When I tell you it's going to trigger me if you do XYZ to me... that means don't do XYZ to me!

I'm not sure how much simpler it can get, but it's amazing how many seem to have trouble getting it.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I'm not sure how much simpler it can get, but it's amazing how many seem to have trouble getting it.

Agreed! I have that issue too!

 

[joeylittle]

This resonates with me:

talk to me like you would other people without PTSD. It's a part of my life, sure, but it doesn't define me.

And this:

respect that no really does mean no

especially in the context of, I say that I would not like to talk in detail about my trauma or recovery process.

However: if you (metaphorical person) do want to talk about PTSD, then you need to respect what I say on the subject. I live with it, and study it, and those things combined make me a bit of an expert - both on what I know, and what I do not know, or what is not known.

And finally - I'd tell them that they were likely to say 'the wrong thing' sometime, so might as well not worry about it. If there's a problem, we can address it when it happens.

I think the understanding goes two ways. With mental health, you're always communicating across a divide. Accept that there will be mistakes made; deal with them openly and respectfully, and it's going to be fine. I'm just as likely to say something upsetting, as they are.