Last updated Thursday, 21-Aug-2008 19:39:44 MST

This page is dedicated to the family and friends of individuals with PTSD. Post-traumatic stress effects more than the individual. Family and friends also suffer terribly when someone they love is suffering with PTSD. The experience can be so distressing that they develop PTSD themselves.

Many family and friends are frustrated because there is next-to-nothing available to support them. Watch someone strong and capable digress into the chaos of post-traumatic stress is confusing. Often, people do not understand why the individual just can't "get over it." What's more perplexing is that the individual who is sick is often the rock in the relationship and has always perserved over tremendous adversity. It is just hard for the people who care about them to adjust and understand that willpower is not enough to get over PTSD.

This page will include the few articles out there dedicated to family and friends. It will also include numerous support articles created by those with PTSD. Please check back often. More importantly, if you suffer from PTSD, please email us any additions and suggestions. If you are family or friends of someone with PTSD, please email us with your questions and comments. We will use these to update and create new informational pamphlets to support you in your journey.

Remember, this is only the beginning. To take your first step towards the carrot, please join the PTSD Online Support Group at www.DailyStrength.org and peruse some of the links below.

Support Resources

What to Expect: This pamphlet is created by Carrot of Hope to help you understand what behaviors to expect. This information is copyrighted. If you would like to share this info, please provide a link to our site rather than copying the information. Thank you.

Supporting the Survivor: A pamphlet created by SAMSHA for family and friends of trauma survivors. This is a two-page pamphlet which you can print double-sided and fold. It gives a brief, broad overview of what to expect and how to support your loves ones after traumatic experiences.

Hope for Recovery: A 13-page booklet about PTSD by Sidran.org.

Hope for Recovery Video: A video describing PTSD, produced by the PTSD Alliance.