Strategies for dealing with people with PTSD?

[Biciclista]

Wahine, you are awesome! You show a lot of courage. Good luck.

[Wahine]

Thank you Biciclista.

There's a fascinating story about how this fella came into my life but it's a very long story. Definitely interesting, but perhaps too long for TE. The Cole's version is I never used to be able to tolerate people who demonstrated self destructive behavior or people couldn't take action when action was needed. When dealing with these patients, I would get very frustrated to the point of it being unhealthy for me. Over the last 6 years, I have worked very hard to understand that some people are just not wired like I am. That their drive is different and that I needed to be more compassionate with those individuals for my own good. I did better but it was still a struggle for me to understand.

The day before this fella came into my life I was involved in a group role playing/problem solving session that went down a very strange path. A path that I thought had nothing to do with my current life circumstances. It ended up dealing with PTSD. The very next day, this man comes into my clinic for an evaluation. He ranted for 30 min at the get go and I sat and listened. I didn't get frustrated, I just let him go. Eventually, we got through it and got on to the business of PT. I was able to help him.

I came out of that appointment knowing that there was a very important life lesson for me in my relationship with this person. So, I've tried to keep that my focus through all of this.

I really appreciate everyone's input and kind words. It is very helpful because I do still struggle with it. Even though I know that when it's all over I will have learned something from it all that will result in a happier and healthier me. So really, it is all about me.