Posts by Dawson McAllister

Breaking Up: Why Can’t I Make a Relationship Last?

When Relationship Issues Persist

I know it can be hard to navigate dating and relationships. Life is challenging, and relationship issues can seem to persist, even if you are with different people over the years. If breaking up is a pattern in your dating relationships, it’s natural to wonder why you can’t make relationships last.

But it’s important not to beat yourself up as you think things over. There can be any number of things influencing how your relationships turn out. The important thing is to be willing to learn about yourself, and to work towards a sense of healing and wholeness that will help you grow, whether on your own or in a dating relationship.

Looking for Patterns

If you’ve dealt with multiple breakups and are trying to understand why, it’s often helpful to look for patterns. Think back on your past relationships:

  • How you met
  • When you started noticing problems
  • What arguments were about
  • How disagreements were handled

Do you notice any common threads? There may be unhealthy patterns when it comes to how you view relationships, your communication style, or your anger management that may be impacting how smooth or rocky your relationships are over time.

Committing to Finding Common Ground

It’s fun getting to know someone you’re interested in dating. You can experience a strong sense of connection early on that makes you feel like the relationship will last a long time. But when problems hit, it turns out the relationship is not as stable as you thought.

I understand that frustration. This may be happening because, in spite of the attraction between you, you have different priorities, or a different way of seeing the world. Maybe you believe in God, and some of your partners haven’t, or vice versa.

True compatibility is more than chemistry, it’s having enough common ground to be able to set similar priorities and make decisions as a unit, so conflict is less likely when challenges arise. You don’t need to have everything in common or have identical beliefs. But you should have a sense of how one another makes decisions, and what you will prioritize in the relationship.

Facing Pain and Healing

Sometimes breakups happen even when there is high compatibility and thoughtful attention to the relationship. While we don’t always know right away why this happens, I’ve noticed that many people get into relationships too soon after a very painful situation (like trauma, abuse, or grieving). If we get into relationships without first working to understand and heal the pain in our lives, it’s likely that more of our pain will be brought into our new relationships.

If you need help or emotional support after a recent breakup, you’re in a good place to feel heard and valued. Talk to a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine to explore some possible root causes of relationship issues. You can also explore our many resources on relationships, including blogs, ebooks, and podcasts with dating advice. We are here for you, and we have high hopes your future relationships will only get stronger.

Are you having trouble forgiving someone that hurt you in a relationship? Here a few things to help you understand the forgiveness process.

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5 Tips for Getting Over a Bad Breakup

Breakups are Messy

Getting over a breakup: it’s never easy. But it’s even harder when it’s a bad breakup with a lot of messy emotions. I’m sorry you’re dealing with something so painful, especially during an already difficult time.

I hope that I can offer you some encouraging steps you can take in an effort to get past the hardest part of your breakup and move forward toward a greater sense of peace.

How to Get Over a Breakup

1. Be Kind to Yourself

If your breakup was full of conflict and arguments, chances are you are feeling especially wounded. I want to stress the importance of being kind to yourself as you process the comments, events, and actions of your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. Try not to spiral into guilt, shame, or rage toward yourself. Treat yourself with the same care that you would a friend or family member going through a similarly painful experience.

2. Allow Time to Rest

Dealing with the aftermath of a failed dating relationship is physically and mentally exhausting. Let yourself rest. Take time to make sure you are taking other important steps toward healthy self-care. Eat meals regularly that both comfort and nourish you. Stay hydrated. And try to move in ways that you enjoy. Activities like exercise, walking, hiking, or riding your bike could offer a nice release, as well as a healthy distraction from the tough feelings you’re facing.

3. Focus on Others

One of the most important things I’ve learned about getting through a tough time is this: focusing on others helps me get out of my own head. Remembering that people close to you are also experiencing lives full of ups and downs may be a good way for you to feel less isolated in your pain, and more hopeful that you can get through this time. It’s also encouraging to people who care about you to know that you are thinking of them, too. Those bonds of family and friendship are going to be crucial to getting through a tough breakup in a healthy way.

4. Remember Your Spirit

Your spiritual wellbeing is always a priority, but especially when you’re grieving the end of a romantic relationship. Be sure you are taking time to spiritually recharge in whatever way you can. Prayer (or asking others to pray for you), or reading uplifting verses, can be great reminders that God loves you unconditionally. No matter how hard it’s gotten, He has never abandoned you.

5. Get Help When You Need It

Even when you’re doing everything you can to cope in a healthy way, you’re going to have overwhelming days, weeks, and seasons of life. I know that’s hard. But there is support available, and there is always hope. TheHopeLine offers mentoring to help people through difficult life issues, including breakups.

Talk to a HopeCoach today about your breakup. We’ll work with you to make a plan for greater peace of mind, healthy coping, and a hopeful future. You can get through this, and we are here to help.

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6 Ways to Turn Your Self-Hatred Around Through Self-Care

You Can Turn Your Self-Hatred Around

If you struggle with hating yourself, you are not alone. Whatever the reason, whether past abuse, trauma, or bullying, I know it’s not easy to break that cycle. It takes a commitment to healthy self-care to turn things around.

Working on self-care to improve self-esteem will look slightly different for everyone, depending on their struggles and their situations. But there are some things I’ve noticed work well across the board. I hope to give you some straightforward ideas you can put into practice right away to start feeling better about your life and yourself.

1. Talk and Think About Yourself Positively 

Self-hatred and self-care: in both cases, “self” is a keyword. That’s because, in both, we play a part. Of course, you’re not responsible for the unkind treatment of others that may have led to your poor sense of self-worth. But you can still make an effort to talk and think about yourself positively each day.

If this feels difficult, think of your friends. You speak to them kindly and make efforts to treat them with respect. Try making that same effort to think and talk about yourself as you would talk about a friend or loved one.

2. Care for Your Spirit

Spiritual care is an important part of self-care because it keeps us grounded. Whether it's reading encouraging Bible verses, talking to someone in your faith community regularly, or spending time in prayer and meditation, committing to our spiritual care can bring us daily reminders of God’s unconditional love.

3. Care for Your Body 

Caring for your body through things like physical activity, cooking nutritious meals, or drinking more water has numerous benefits. It makes you feel better physically. It gives you more energy and better-quality sleep. And the sense of accomplishment that comes with activities like cooking and exercise programs can be a great self-esteem booster. If you’re not sure which meals or exercises would be best for you, your doctor can give you some ideas.

4. Clear Your Mind

Often, I find that cutting out distractions and clearing my mind helps me to calm my anxiety and face my negative thoughts and feelings. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, removing distractions is a great way to put your well-being first and focus on building your self-esteem. This could mean silencing your apps and notifications, spending less time on social media, or journaling instead of watching TV. Try doing at least one of those things for a week and see what a difference it makes.

5. Care for Others

Helping and uplifting others is fulfilling, and it always makes me feel better to know what a difference I can make for people in my family, my friend groups, and my community. Is there someone in your life that can use a kind word, or an organization you care about that needs your help? Think of something you can do to care for others and notice how that softens your feelings toward yourself.

6. Get Extra Encouragement

You may need extra encouragement and guidance from others to break the cycle of self-hatred and move toward self-care. Let people in your life know about your self-care routines so they can check in and see how things are going. See if a friend wants to join in a self-care activity with you so you can share your experiences together. 

If you’re still struggling and feeling overwhelmed, there’s hope. TheHopeLine HopeCoaches are here for you. 

Talk to a Hope Coach today about your struggles with hating yourself, and work with them to build a simple self-care routine you can stick to. You can do this. We believe in you!

Are you struggling to forgive yourself for past guilt and shame? Could this be causing your self-hate? Read why you should forgive yourself

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How to Have Fun Without Alcohol

If you struggle with substance abuse, or simply find that you’re more dependent on alcohol than you want to be, it can be a frustrating journey to growth and recovery. It seems like every social media post and every ad for food and drink features drinking at its center, surrounded by people appearing to have a good time.

But I want to encourage you to remember two things. One: these images are manufactured to sell products or experiences. Reality is a lot bigger. Two: You’re not alone in this struggle, and you don’t have to be. There are a lot of ways to have fun and build friendships with people close to you, without drinking, and without putting your recovery at risk. Here are some alternative good times you can have:

1. Restaurants That Don’t Serve Alcohol

There are lots of places to eat or drink that don’t feature alcohol, and many places don’t even serve it. Finding a coffee shop, tea shop, smoothie bar, juice bar, or kombucha bar is a good start. It’s a fun way to try new things. And many places that don’t serve alcohol have plenty of alternatives that actually make you feel better and promote improved health.

2. Museums

Your city likely has a lot of galleries and museums where you can explore local art and history. These give you an opportunity to pass the time, learn something new, and broaden your horizons, without anything revolving around drinking.

3. Sober Spaces

As more and more people take ownership of their recovery, and recognize the health benefits of eliminating alcohol, there are more sober restaurants and venues. Try researching “sober space” near you and see what comes up.

If you’re part of a faith community, this can be a great space to strengthen your resolve, remind you of God’s love, and connect with people who want to spend quality time with you in safe, sober spaces.

4. Meet Up Groups

You can search for a sober meet-up group using a site like Meetup. Groups meet around a common interest, activity, or stage of life. If you are in a recovery group, or have friends helping you look for sober spaces, invite them to come with you to a Meetup group so you can feel more comfortable and share the experience with someone.

5. Exercise

Exercise and physical activity are great outlets and healthy distractions when you’re trying to build a self-care routine that doesn’t include alcohol. There are exercise options for all ability levels. Something as simple as walking through a park or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can improve your mood, increase your energy level, and give you time to think things through.

6. Time with Like-Minded Friends

Spending time with like-minded friends who are also committed to sobriety can make it easier to have fun without drinking and build healthy habits. Be sure to let your friends know what your priorities are, and the kind of support you need, to make the most of your recovery and growth.

If you need help along the way, reach out to TheHopeLine. If your life feels controlled or dominated by alcohol, I’m glad you’re here, and I’m hopeful you can get help, starting here, Get HopeCoach mentoring today for encouragement as you learn to take better care of yourself and break free.

Worried you're developing an addiction, or have a history of addiction in your family? Read about the warning signs here

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He's Being Taunted to Kill Himself: EP 43

He Feels Like He Should Just Give In

When Lane was young, his dad killed himself. Now, classmates, family, and friends make jokes about it. Lane’s been told, “Why don’t you just do it now [kill yourself] instead of waiting until your old like your dad!” Lane tries to ignore the taunts, but they do anything and everything they can to get in his head.

Lane wants to prove these people wrong, but then sometimes feels like they are right, and he should just give in.

Don’t Listen to Those Idiots

Lane, you are worth far more than you give yourself credit. These negative, stinky thinking people are trying to bring you down, but the God of the universe created you and loves you! You have tremendous worth! Don’t give in to what these cruel people are saying. Anyone who tells someone else to go kill themself is a person who does not deserve to be heard. You are beautifully and wonderfully made in God’s image. Life has so much to offer, and you have a lot of life to still live!

Peer to Peer Advice on Killing Himself

Marissa, who had thoughts of taking her own life, called in to tell Lane: DON’T DO IT! Brandon had the same message…Don’t Kill Yourself! Roxy points out that suicide passes your pain onto someone else. Brittany says, don’t prove these people right, prove them wrong by living your life and being successful! Here are their responses to Lane:

Don’t Do it! Try to Make Friends! ~Brandon

Brandon - “Don’t kill yourself! I can’t say I know your pain, because I don’t. But I’ve been picked on. I’m in high school right now and it sucks, I hate it. But try to find friends. I have very few in school anymore. Make friends, whether they are in school or out of school. I’ve thought about suicide, but I don’t support anyone who wants to do suicide. One of my friend’s wanted to and I talked her out of it.”

I’ve Been Down the Road of Wanting to Take Away My Life.  ~Marissa

Marissa - “I’m going to speak from a place of personal experience. When I was 14 years old, I went down the road of self-harm and wanting to take away my life. I was raped by my brother’s best friend, and it put me in a really deep hole. I started cutting my wrists. I kept taking pills. I was trying to take that inner pain and started doing physical pain. My family had me go to a psychiatrist and was on medication, but nothing was helping for me.

Then I decided to put my big girl panties on. I was like look, I can’t take away my life from something that happened to me and put everyone else in pain. So, I found out what my passion was, I started writing poetry, and let all my pain come out in my poetry.

Then I found my boyfriend and we’ve been together for 6 years and have a child together. If I would have taken my life away 6 years ago, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m now a store manager.

Don’t give into what these people want, because at the end of the day, it’s not what they want, it’s what you want. Do what’s best for you. Life your life to the fullest. Get out in the world and explore things. Find out what your passion is, work on that craft and perfect it. You are going to find inner peace. Don’t let them get in your head, that’s the enemy talking. You have a beautiful girl by your side, supporting you. Think about it, if you take your life away, that’s going to cause her pain, and you don’t want that. You’re going to get through this!

Suicide Passes Your Pain Onto Someone Else. ~Roxy

Roxy – “Suicide does not end your pain; it only passes it onto someone else. Think about the loss you will be giving to your friends, your family, and that beautiful girl you have by your side, who supports you no matter what. I can know and understand what you’re going through.

I was a user of heroin and cocaine. I almost tried to end my pain and suffering. If it wouldn’t have been for my one good friend, who’s stood with me to this day, by my side, and I’m married to this person. I would not be here.

When that feeling of you wanting to end your life over what someone says about your dad, don’t listen to them. If you stop and think if your father was here today, and you were standing before him and you asked him what you should do? You shouldn’t do it and he’d tell you the same thing. Your girlfriend would be miserable without you. She deeply loves you. If your friends are making fun about your father’s suicide, they are not your friends.

I’ve watched one of my friends kill himself in front of me, and it’s not even fun. Not being able to get there quick enough, not being able to help that person, you regret it. You feel horrible about it. If you need someone to talk to, talk to somebody. Go out hiking for a walk, go visit nature, go to a farm, go do something. Broaden your mind and escape for a little bit. Don’t choose another alternative to end your pain, it’s not going to end it but just make it worse for others.”

Don’t Prove Them Right, Prove Them Wrong. ~Brittany

Brittany - “I need to speak a little bit from personal experience. I was an “oops baby.” I was not supposed to happen. All my life, my stepdad told me every day that I was going to turn out like my mom. That I was not going to get an education. That I was going to get pregnant at a young age. That I was never going to move out of the small town that I lived in.

I got the mindset that I was going to prove him wrong, which is the mindset Lane needs to have for himself. I know he said he wants to give in and prove them right. He needs to do the exact opposite. Don’t prove them right, prove them wrong. Go out and do the exact opposite of what they want you to do. Surround yourself with people who enjoy your company, who enjoy the beautiful life you have. If people are telling you to kill yourself, they are not your friends. I can’t tell you enough how much hurt you doing that would bring to people around you, whether you realize it or not.

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

Lane needs to surround himself with people who will support him and be true friends. These people who are taunting him are not his friends and what they are saying is horrible. As everyone agreed: “Lane, you are worth so much more than what these people are saying to you.” We join with you Lane, to say no to suicide.

What advice would you give Lane?

If you’ve been ridiculed or told to kill yourself from others, let us know how you handled it. Who or what helped you keep going? Do you agree with Brittany, who says instead of proving them right, prove them wrong?  Please share in the comments below!
If you are having suicidal thoughts, you are not alone, if you need immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at ‘1-800-273-TALK (8255)’.

Resources for Suicide Prevention:

How to Get Help for and Understand Suicidal Thoughts
Suicide Prevention Resources
eBook: Understanding Suicide
Bible Verse About Suicidal Thoughts – Get Hope from God. Need to talk to someone? Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.

One last thing,

My podcast, our website, everything we do is entirely listener supported. If you’d like to help us to continue our work, please make a gift right now at our Give Now page.

Remember, whatever you do, Never Lose Hope! If you or a friend need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, for free confidential, 24/7 help. For a list of crisis centers around the world and additional help, please visit the suicide prevention resource page.

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4 Ways to Feel Less Lonely When You're Sick

Fighting Loneliness When You're Sick

Being sick often means you have to isolate yourself. Of course, that’s necessary to keep your illness from spreading and to keep others safe. But it can lead to a troubling, persistent feeling of loneliness.

If you’re feeling lonely during an illness, I know that’s tough. But you can rest assured that there are ways to feel less lonely when you’re sick, and to get some encouragement while you rest and recover.
Here are some things that help me during a challenging bout with sickness. I hope they help to remind you that you’re not alone in how you feel, and that they give you some creative ideas for how to fight loneliness.

How to Feel Less Lonely when You're Sick

1. Video Calling with Family and Friends

Video calling is a great way to see friends and family face to face, and hear their voices, without risking the spread of illness. Depending on how you feel, maybe you can start with one video call every other day. That way you’re still checking in regularly without draining your energy. And you have plenty of time to rest in between.

2. Praying Together

Sometimes illness can be scary, and you may feel like you need spiritual encouragement and support from people who share your faith or worldview. Praying together helps me feel more connected to my loved ones, even when we can’t be in the same room. They remind me of how much God loves me, and that He helps strengthen and heal me in many ways.

3. Getting a Pen-pal

Finding a pen-pal can be a great way to lift your spirits when you’re not feeling well. And it’s a way of feeling more connected that doesn’t rely on screens and devices. Try asking for pen-pals among close friends or see if a friend from social media who you haven’t been in touch with for a while wants to exchange letters, postcards, or emails. It’s a great way to build a friendship, and it always makes me feel better when I get a heartfelt note or letter in the mail.

4. Asking for What You Need

 It is a way of seeking connection, and it will help you feel less lonely and isolated, even though you’re not engaged in your normal routine. Often people will ask if they can help once they know you’re not feeling well. Let people you trust know what you need. And don’t forget to express gratitude for others’ kindness and care.

Sometimes, even when I’m being creative about connecting with others, sickness can seem overwhelming. If your sickness requires long periods of isolation, or has other symptoms that are emotionally draining, you’re not alone. 

Talk to a Hope Coach at TheHopeLine today. We offer mentoring and resources to uplift you when you’re feeling lonely, and to provide emotional healing as your body recovers. We’re here for you, and we hope you feel better soon!

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Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel During Uncertainty

There Is Hope for Uncertainty

There is always going to be a sense of fear and uncertainty about the unknowns in life. But there will be times and seasons of life when our uncertainty is heightened by a difficult experience, or by what’s going on in the world around us.

If you’re feeling uncertain, you don’t have to be ashamed of those feelings. But if uncertainty and fear are overwhelming you and making it difficult for you to live your life and take care of yourself, it’s time for a shift in your mindset.

Here’s what helps me remember that, even when the unknowns seem to be stacking up around me, there’s still light at the end of the tunnel.

How to Find Hope When Life Is Uncertain

I’ve Made It Through Hard Things Before. 

Think back on your life up to this point. Chances are that this time of uncertainty isn’t the first difficult thing you’ve had to face. Yet, you made it through every difficulty you’ve faced to this point.  That means there’s a very good chance you’ll make it through this time, too.

I am Loved by God and Others.

There’s one thing that doesn’t change, no matter how much is changing around us. God loves us no matter what, and He will never abandon us. Does nature remind you of God’s love? If so, spend some time admiring the sunrise one morning. 

If you have a friend whose kindness builds your faith and restores your hope, check-in with them from time to time. Let them know how you’re doing and ask them what steps they’re taking to stay hopeful.

I Can Slow Down

Sometimes, when there’s nothing you can do, or when you’re waiting for the next steps to become clear, you have no choice but to stop for a while. While this doesn’t mean you feel better about everything, this time of slowing down can be a gift.

Use it as an opportunity to ground yourself emotionally by doing things that make you feel at peace, like journaling, taking a walk, reading your favorite book, or meditating. Remember to unplug from the 24-hour news cycle during these quiet times. Constant exposure to stressors from a never-ending newsfeed often fuels and compounds our anxiety.

I Don’t Need to Have All the Answers

Sometimes, I get stuck in feelings of fear and uncertainty because I feel like I should know more or have a better idea of what to do next. But the truth is, none of us needs to have all the answers to move forward during a time of uncertainty. We can focus on what we need to do each day, take time for ourselves, and stay grounded in our faith until we know more about how to proceed.

And we’re never alone. There are always friends, family members, and loved ones we can turn to for help. For extra support, counseling and mentoring are great options.

The good news is you are already in a supportive community. TheHopeLine offers online mentoring and other resources to help you cope with fear and anxiety. Talk to a HopeCoach today about the uncertainty you’re feeling and find the support you need to be more hopeful about the future. We are here to listen, and we’re all in this together. 

Need to boost your mental health? Read my blog that gives 5 simple ways to improve your mood.

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This May Be Why You Bully Others (Here’s What to Do)

Understand Why You're Bullying

Sometimes we realize difficult things about ourselves. If you’ve noticed yourself blowing up at others or lashing out when you’re afraid you won’t get what you want or need, you could be bullying people around you.

While that can be hard to accept, I want to commend you for looking for ways to stop bullying others. There is always hope when we’re committed to understanding how we hurt others and to stopping our harmful behavior. 

Why Is Bullying Harmful?

It’s probably obvious on the surface why bullying is harmful. After all, no one feels good after being treated cruelly by someone else. But even if the people you bully seem to shrug it off, your choices could have a lasting impact that may make it difficult for them to feel safe or find joy in other friendships and relationships.

Bullying is harmful because it creates a pattern of fear. The person fears you and believes you to be in control. The longer the bullying persists, the more difficult it is for that person to break the cycle and get the help they need to heal.

If you’ve found your way here because you want to stop yourself from bullying, I know it’s hard to think about how your choice to bully has hurt others. But you can do your part to break the cycle, too.

Why Are You Bullying?

When I want to stop doing something I’m not happy with, it’s more than just forcing myself to do it (in fact, that’s usually not very effective). I have to think about why I’m making poor choices. When I better understand the root causes of my behavior, I will have a clearer idea of how to change it.

Think back on your life and some of the things you went through growing up. Maybe you were abused by someone close to you.

Or maybe your parents divorced. Trauma like that can definitely make understanding, controlling, and expressing tough emotions like fear and anger difficult without the proper support. 

What Can You Do About It?

There’s good news amidst this challenging work. You can change, and there are people who want to help you make that happen. 

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to ask for forgiveness from the people you’ve bullied. If they don’t feel safe talking things over with you, or if the bullying happened a long time ago, that doesn’t mean you can’t be forgiven. God’s forgiveness is vast, and He is always willing to listen when you reach out to Him for help during a time of change and struggle.

Since ending bullying behavior often means healing from trauma, it’s a good idea to seek out a counselor or therapist who can help you talk about things in a safe place. 

It may also help to talk to people close to you about the things you’re working on, so they can support you if you need to find ways to care for yourself and express tough emotions that are healthier and more constructive.

Above all, don’t give up. Breaking your patterns of bullying behavior isn’t easy, but it is possible, and your friendships and relationships will get so much healthier because of it. 

If you’re not sure where to start or feeling fearful about reaching out to someone, talk to a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine. We are here to listen and help without judgment, and we are proud of your decision to make kinder choices. 

Are you being bullied? Read this blog on how to recognize bullying and how to get help. 

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How You Can Help Your Loved One Deal with PTSD

Being There for Your Loved One With PTSD

Whether you love someone who has been through abuse, suffered some of other trauma, or has served active duty in the military, you already know that helping a loved one deal with PTSD is hard. 

But many couples and families deal with PTSD and are still able to have happy, healthy relationships with one another. If you’re here looking for ways to help, you’re already making a choice that shows your love and care for that person. So, I have no doubt that when you work together, you’ll be able to help and support one another over time.

Here are some things I’ve found helpful for supporting someone with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Remember: It’s Not About Curing Them

Your partner or family member with PTSD does not expect you to cure them or fix their PTSD symptoms. They are making an effort to work through and understand themselves and their illness, and they need your support to do that important work. It’s not something you’ll be able to do for them. 

I know it’s difficult but resist the urge to tell them how to alleviate their symptoms, or to try to prevent anything unpleasant from happening to them. Instead, have realistic expectations for yourself, and let your loved one know you believe in them as they learn, struggle, and grow.

Wait for Them to Open Up

Depending on where you are in your relationship, or how long they’ve lived with you, you may not know what caused your loved one’s PTSD symptoms to develop. That’s okay. They simply need time to become comfortable enough talking about their experiences that doing so does not trigger another PTSD episode. They will share what they are comfortable sharing when they feel physically and emotionally safe doing so.

Give Them Space

Sometimes your loved one with PTSD will need space. They may want to spend time alone, or they may not feel comfortable going to a place you suggest for a date or outing. Giving them space is an act of love and understanding as they take the time they need to recoup from difficult symptoms. 

The space for them is also space for you to take part in vital physical, emotional, and spiritual self-care. You need plenty of time and space to recharge, regroup, and care for your own needs in order to be able to help someone else through their difficulties. 

That includes things like eating healthy meals, getting regular exercise, and keeping up with your spiritual practice. Spending time in prayer and meditation helps me remember that I am not alone in my struggles, and neither is my loved one. God loves us both, and he will not abandon us in our efforts to love one another.

Get Help When You Need It

There will be times when helping a loved one with PTSD becomes overwhelming, even when you are allowing plenty of time and space for healing. It’s good to reach out for help and support when you need it, and you can find it here.

TheHopeLine offers mentoring for anyone looking for help with tough life issues, including relationships impacted by PTSD. Talk to a mentor today to find encouragement and support as you walk with your loved one with PTSD on their healing journey. We are here for you.  

David lived in fear of abuse from his mom's boyfriend. Read his story of how he found the hope to deal with anxiety and PTSD from a HopeCoach.

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