windows Posted November 15, 2014 Posted November 15, 2014 I'm about to enter a relationship with someone who recently told me they have PTSD. I don't know what the trauma was, nor how this is going to affect the relationship. I'd just like to hear from people who have experienced relationships with PTSD. Any words of advice from sufferers or supporters?
smackie9 Posted November 15, 2014 Posted November 15, 2014 You are better off going to a site that focuses on PTSD.
chimpanA-2-chimpanZ Posted November 15, 2014 Posted November 15, 2014 You need to know the nature of the trauma. If they are comfortable telling you they have PTSD, they should be comfortable telling you at least a little about what happened. Ask how they are coping with the trauma. Do they avoid triggers? Do they drink, smoke, exercise, write in a therapy journal, what? How often are they seeing a doctor? You shouldn't play twenty questions, but you should ask how they deal with the condition and their current treatment plan. It may affect your relationship as well. For example, if she has a crippling fear of driving after a life-threatening car crash, you'll have to keep that in mind when you go out. Occupational PTSD is a bit different. You see this in soldiers, policemen, detectives, medical examiners, emergency responders, and so on. These people witness horrendous things in their working lives so they can't just avoid triggers. If your partner has this kind of PTSD they should be open about things they need to avoid and have a healthy outlet for channeling their emotions. One last caution: beware the self-diagnosed. I've heard a surprising number of stories from my male friends about younger (late teens/early twenties) women claiming they have PTSD from a bad breakup and stuff like that. It's not that these women are crazy, they're just prone to exaggeration and want attention. PTSD is a serious condition. Anyone who talks openly about having PTSD, but isn't seeing a therapist or trying to treat it, probably doesn't have it.
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