Worried I’m developing ptsd from the trauma

[Sharpe267]

My sister is going through an extreme episode after her partner left her. She’s back living with my mom and dad and the last year has been complete hell. She blames my parents  for how she is and resents me but is in touch all the time. She is in treatment now but it doesn’t prevent her from spiralling at times. After going through so many traumatic situations of watching her suicidality and self harm I’m worried I’ve developed ptsd. I’m constantly on edge and worried about her actions, and fear her constant contact. Has anyone experienced ptsd symptoms after going through this? What helped you?

[NarcsEverywhere]

Sounds like you're worried about what she'll do a lot. Are you scared of setting boundaries, like I can only talk a few times a week or something along those lines? Or I need more time to myself? Do you feel responsible for her self harm/suicidality? I know that can be overwhelming to deal with, but I dunno if destroying your own mental health to try to help her, is going to work.

[Couscous]

Limiting contact helps, plus realizing that there’s actually nothing you can do to save her. Best to just the let trained professionals handle this. She’s in treatment, and when she’s in crisis she can call her therapist or a crisis line. It’s neither in her nor your best interests to be her crisis counselor.

But doing things together like an art or yoga class, or going to a comedy show, or a museum or art exhibit, etc., while keeping the conversation light are the kinds of things that would likely be beneficial to both of you and will provide her with some distraction. She’ll never get over the breakup if she keeps talking about it.