If a parent's PTSD goes untreated for a long period of time, then the chances of his or her spouse and children becoming traumatized during the course of living with the post traumatic stress disorder in the household increases. Partners of people with chronic PTSD quite frequently find most of their time is taken up dealing with the problems of the person who has been traumatized so long ago. Sometimes they have little time left over to be attentive parents.
Children and partners of people with PTSD often struggle with:
Children living with a parent who has PTSD, whether from the Vietnam War or childhood sexual abuse, sometimes struggle with many difficult feelings including:
Straight Talk about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Kay Marie Porterfield provides detailed information about how a parent's PTSD can affect young people. The effects of combat stress, especially from the Vietnam War, is explored in depth.