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- #13
Sweetpea76
VIP Member
My parents were always pretty supportive. I think there was a little concern at first, especially with news stories like the Chris Kyle murder, that he may be unstable or unsafe, but once they learned more about PTSD and got to know my vet personally, they realized he was not any kind of threat. I made it my job to educate my family... my parents, but also my kids.
Initially I told them that he had PTSD, that he is being treated for it, and that he dedicated to following his treatment. Then I explained what PTSD is and how it worked in very simple terms. Specifically, I told them you get it because you fear for your life so much it breaks you. You don't get it from being very upset or having a hard time... you get it because you went through something so awful you were in danger of dying. Not everybody gets PTSD from trauma, but there are some risk factors that make people more prone to it. However, nobody is sure why some people get it and others don't. It is permanent, there is no cure. Over time, people with PTSD may learn to manage their symptoms, but they will always have them. I also told them how my vet described it felt like having the tingly adrenaline-dump feeling you get after nearly missing an auto accident... only all the time. It breaks your startle response and makes you hypervigilant and on guard all the time, along with anxiety, depression, shortness of temper and a laundry list of other things. I printed the DSM-5 PTSD listing and the PTSD Cup Explanation for them, and also told them if they wanted to read more about it I had books I could lend and websites I could send them too.
It helps a lot. If he ever has symptoms I can explain it to them, and they will understand. It is now no big deal if he has to stand up in the middle of dinner and go sit outside for a minute. Or if he cannot be at large family functions or join us all at the amusement park. They know that since his startle response is exaggerated, if there is aloud noise he will react. They know he isn't "crazy," weak, dangerous, or being an asshole. "The Cup is Overflowing" is a common phrase used in our family... me, my vet, the kids, AND my parents use it and know what it means.
My vet was uncomfortable at first, but now he appreciates it. His family is not close, so he is pretty touched that my family is so accepting and understanding. He is also physically disabled and visibly wounded, and my family had no problem accepting, learning, and adjusting to those injuries as well.
PTSD is a family disorder.
Initially I told them that he had PTSD, that he is being treated for it, and that he dedicated to following his treatment. Then I explained what PTSD is and how it worked in very simple terms. Specifically, I told them you get it because you fear for your life so much it breaks you. You don't get it from being very upset or having a hard time... you get it because you went through something so awful you were in danger of dying. Not everybody gets PTSD from trauma, but there are some risk factors that make people more prone to it. However, nobody is sure why some people get it and others don't. It is permanent, there is no cure. Over time, people with PTSD may learn to manage their symptoms, but they will always have them. I also told them how my vet described it felt like having the tingly adrenaline-dump feeling you get after nearly missing an auto accident... only all the time. It breaks your startle response and makes you hypervigilant and on guard all the time, along with anxiety, depression, shortness of temper and a laundry list of other things. I printed the DSM-5 PTSD listing and the PTSD Cup Explanation for them, and also told them if they wanted to read more about it I had books I could lend and websites I could send them too.
It helps a lot. If he ever has symptoms I can explain it to them, and they will understand. It is now no big deal if he has to stand up in the middle of dinner and go sit outside for a minute. Or if he cannot be at large family functions or join us all at the amusement park. They know that since his startle response is exaggerated, if there is aloud noise he will react. They know he isn't "crazy," weak, dangerous, or being an asshole. "The Cup is Overflowing" is a common phrase used in our family... me, my vet, the kids, AND my parents use it and know what it means.
My vet was uncomfortable at first, but now he appreciates it. His family is not close, so he is pretty touched that my family is so accepting and understanding. He is also physically disabled and visibly wounded, and my family had no problem accepting, learning, and adjusting to those injuries as well.
PTSD is a family disorder.
