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Becoming a parent doesn’t mean that PTSD goes away. Sometimes, having kids can bring out more of our PTSD than we are prepared to deal with.

You need to remember that it is okay to let everyone in your family, including your children, know your needs.

Parents tend to accept a position in their lives that puts them on the back burner as they place their children first. When you are a parent living with PTSD, you have very serious needs that need to be prioritized at times. Your partner, if you have one, and your children have to understand that there is “you” time that cannot be interrupted and you have certain needs that demand attention sometimes. You are doing the best you can possibly do to be a good parent. In order to be the best parent you can be, you need to be the best you that you can be and that includes taking care of your needs.

You need to remember that when you have an emotional episode it is okay to stop what you are doing and go through the motions.

PTSD can lead to the experience of anxiety attacks and panic attacks in addition to other episodes of emotional turmoil like sudden episodes of depression, dissociation, and more. Having episodes does not make you a bad parent or a bad partner to your spouse. Part of living with PTSD is living with these episodes. With time, treatment, and therapy, you will learn how to predict these episodes, sometimes avoid them, or more adequately learn how to cope with them moving forward.

You need to remember that you get to have private time to take care of yourself.

Your medication doesn’t have to be taken at the same time as everyone else’s. Your morning routine doesn’t have to be done at the same time as everyone else’s. If the family is going somewhere that is sure to set off a series of triggers for you, you do not have to go. Of course, you feel like you don’t want to miss a single moment of being a parent. However, you are more secure in enjoying parenthood ongoing when you make sure you take time to take care of yourself as needed. If you are out and about and you need to take a meditation break, hand your kids over to your spouse and put on your favorite guided meditation. Bring your kids to the daycare at the gym so you can get your exercise time in. There are plenty of options,

The Guest House Ocala offers a private, luxury refuge for clinical care and treatment. Welcoming all those struggling with traumas, addictions, and related mental or behavioral health issues, our doors are open to those ready to heal. There is hope because there is help. Call us today for information: 1-855-483-7800