1. Never Force Them to Talk About the Trauma
Pressuring your loved one to share details of their trauma before they are ready can lead to distress and worsen symptoms. Let them open up in their own time.

2. Avoid Minimizing Their Experience
Saying things like “It’s not a big deal” or “Just move on” invalidates their feelings and can make them feel misunderstood or unsupported.

3. Don’t Take Their Symptoms Personally
PTSD can cause irritability, emotional withdrawal, or mood swings. Remember that these reactions are symptoms of the condition and not a reflection of their feelings toward you.

4. Do not get caught up in trauma bonding
If you feel deeply conflicted or overly attached despite unhealthy dynamics, it’s important to assess whether trauma bonding might be influencing your relationship. Do not disregard this dynamic but ssek help for both of you.

5. Never Push Them to “Get Over It” Quickly
Recovery from PTSD is a long process, and pushing someone to “get better” or expecting immediate improvement can create additional pressure and slow down progress.

6. Don’t Trigger Their PTSD Deliberately
Avoid exposing them to situations, places, or conversations that could trigger their trauma response. Even well-intentioned efforts to “face their fears” without professional guidance can be harmful.

7. Don’t Dismiss or Ignore Their Symptoms
Ignoring or downplaying their anxiety, flashbacks, or nightmares can cause your loved one to feel isolated and unsupported.

8. Never Try to “Fix” Them on Your Own
While your support is valuable, you are not a substitute for professional help. Don’t take on the role of therapist or think that you can single-handedly “cure” their PTSD.

9. Avoid Losing Patience
Frustration with their progress (or lack thereof) can harm your relationship and hinder their recovery. Try to stay patient and offer consistent, gentle support.

10. Don’t Use Guilt or Manipulation
Guilt-tripping or manipulating them into certain actions, like attending social events or engaging in activities they’re not ready for, can deepen their distress.

11. Never touch them when they are having a flashback
No touching during a flashback, except they tell you it helps them to calm down.
If a person is having a flashback, and you touch them, you might condition their brain to connect your physical touch with having a flashback. This could lead to the situation, you incidentally trigger a flashback through touching them.

12. Never Ignore Your Own Boundaries
While it’s important to support them, neglecting your own needs and boundaries can lead to burnout. Take care of your well-being to ensure you can provide long-term support.