Ptsd Friend Want Be Alone And Worried

[Belgium rules]

I have a friend who wants to be alone and worried about him. What to do? Should I reach out or give him space..

 

[RecedingMoonlight]

If he asks you to leave you alone, it's best that you respect that decision and leave him be. Individuals with PTSD will sometimes become overwhelmed or triggered by something and want to be left alone to either process things or feel safer - it can sometimes last days or weeks, even months. It's a common occurence.

If you feel truly concerned about your friend, wait a few days and see if he comes around. If he does, try and see if he'd be comfortable in talking about what you should do should he desire to isolate again, and what kind of things he'd find helpful in the future. But this all depends on how close you are to him. If you've been a friend - or perhaps an acquaintance - for a short ammount of time, do not be surprised if he has no desire to speak about his disorder with you. Some individuals just aren't comfortable in talking about their PTSD.

 

[Friday]

Worried because you're not used to people who isolate, or worried as this is in some way breaking their usual patterns and setting off alarm bells for you, or worried that they're suicidal? Or...?

 

[Freedomfighter]

I have a friend who wants to be alone and worried about him. What to do? Should I reach out or give him sp...

It is common for a PTSD friend that wants to be left alone, they have a brain that can overload, or they may be deep in a trigger and in those times you can not reach them. If you aggressively attempt contact during such times be prepared for a hellish reply from a PTSD person but if you are patient you will be glad you gave them extra time.

 

[Dan28]

Tell him/her that you are available whenever you're needed, and you'll listen to anything he/she has to say. But until they ask you for it, give him/her space. Put the control back on your friend---he/she controls the situations they're in and can get help when needed. 100% comfort realizing that