I am a woman who has been dating a man. I have had PTSD for most of my life. I am a survivor of child sexual abuse, severe neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and domestic violence.
I have learned only very recently that the man I have been dating is also a survivor of child sexual abuse (also by a male). I feel I should not give any more details. Like me, he made poor choices later in life with regard to relationships with women, i.e. resulting in more abuse. It is especially one incident, a very violent assault by a partner, that causes me to write this post.
For once, I would like to just express that I am hurting so very much for him having been hurt in the ways he has. If it were for me to say, he has quite a list of traumatic experiences (abuse and non-abuse). I am currently struggeling very much with that one particularly violent assault. I also do struggle with some physical assaults that could have left him severely injured or dead when he was a child. I have been crying on and off and can hardly stay awake for more than an hour or two (this has been true only for the last 24 hours). When I am awake, the pain comes washing over me.
Have you experienced a deep grieving for what your partner had to go through? How do you deal with their pain? To those of you who are survivors of abuse and supporters at the same time: Is there anything you can and want to share?
I'd appreciate any kind support.
I have learned only very recently that the man I have been dating is also a survivor of child sexual abuse (also by a male). I feel I should not give any more details. Like me, he made poor choices later in life with regard to relationships with women, i.e. resulting in more abuse. It is especially one incident, a very violent assault by a partner, that causes me to write this post.
For once, I would like to just express that I am hurting so very much for him having been hurt in the ways he has. If it were for me to say, he has quite a list of traumatic experiences (abuse and non-abuse). I am currently struggeling very much with that one particularly violent assault. I also do struggle with some physical assaults that could have left him severely injured or dead when he was a child. I have been crying on and off and can hardly stay awake for more than an hour or two (this has been true only for the last 24 hours). When I am awake, the pain comes washing over me.
Have you experienced a deep grieving for what your partner had to go through? How do you deal with their pain? To those of you who are survivors of abuse and supporters at the same time: Is there anything you can and want to share?
I'd appreciate any kind support.