Tips for Overcoming PTSD from an Alcoholic Parent

Are you experiencing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from an alcoholic parent? Are you unsure on how to overcome PTSD from an alcoholic parent? To help understand what types of post traumatic stress someone who has had an alcoholic parent may experience and for tips on overcoming PTSD from an alcoholic parent, I have interviewed psychologist Hillary Glick, Ph.D.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
"I am a clinical psychologist , in private practice for about 20 years. I also spent 15 years working in research. I work primarily with PTSD of all different types, mood disorders , including bipolar disorder , and people with relationship difficulties. I provide both individual and group therapy. My groups focus on survivors of trauma in childhood, specifically physical, verbal and emotional abuse and severe neglect. This naturally tends to include many children of alcoholics ."

What types of post traumatic stress does someone who has had an alcoholic parent experience?
"There are many different types of alcoholics but what tends to be similar in alcoholic households is an absence of reality testing and a high degree of secrecy and denial. Children of alcoholics may be physically, sexually or verbally abused or they may witness abuse. They are often hypervigilant, distrustful, at risk for substance abuse themselves and may have difficulty regulating emotions and self esteem . In particular, they often struggle with issues of shame."

What are some tips for overcoming the PTSD from an alcoholic parent?
"It is rarely helpful to confront the alcoholic parent, especially if they are still drinking. What is helpful is to have the opportunity to hear from others who have had similar experiences and are open to talking about it, either in a therapy group or a 12 step group such as Al-anon. Often getting some distance from the family can be helpful as well. Certainly being very aware of one's own patterns of substance use is extremely important since alcoholism has a strong genetic component. Also paying attention to other potentially related problems, such as depression, and making sure to seek treatment quickly rather than trying to tough it out. Finally, not falling into patterns of social isolation or repeating the bad relationship with the parent by choosing an alcoholic partner or spouse is especially important."

What type of professional help is available for someone that is trying to overcome PTSD from an alcoholic parent?
"For adult children of alcoholics with health insurance there are many therapists in private practice with considerable expertise and experience in these issues. I tend to recommend a psychoanalytic or at least psychodynamic approach as these therapies take into account the relationship between therapist and patient and the issues that may arise between them. Often it is in the relationship that early parental issues may show themselves or may be addressed. 12 step programs are free of charge and in large cities there are usually analytic training institutes that offer therapy with therapists who are pursuing post-graduate training at very low fees."

Thank you Dr. Glick for doing the interview on tips for overcoming PTSD from an alcoholic parent. For more information on Dr. Glick or her work you can check out her website on hillaryglickphd.com

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