One of the first reactions many family members have is sympathy for their loved one. People feel sorry that someone they care about had to suffer through a terrifying experience. They feel sorry when the person struggles with symptoms of PTSD. It can be helpful for the person who has suffered the trauma to know that their family members sympathize with them.

However, too much sympathy from family members can have a negative effect. When sympathy leads to over protecting a trauma survivor it may send a message that the family does not believe the trauma survivor is strong enough to overcome their situation.