Hi all,
I'm in a bit of a pickle, and would like to see what kind of input both sufferers and supporters have on the situation.
A friend of mine, well, we're not "friends" anymore, I guess, has combat PTSD. Nobody in his family knows, none of his friends know, and he isn't getting treatment for it, and I doubt he's going to any time soon, if at all. He's been out of the Navy for over a year, and, as far as I know, he still displays many of the symptoms.
He recently shut me out of his life, saying "I'm still against me for you." and saying that we were moving in "destructive circles" (we initially dated, then he wanted to break up, and we became good friends, then he wanted to come back to me, but then he decided to call us quits all together. This all happened over the course of a couple months.). I was the only person in his life who knew/knows about his PTSD, and I feel like that's why he deleted me, even though I showed nothing but support and understanding. I have never done anything to hurt him and vice versa. We had a very trusting relationship.
He refused to give me a proper, face to face good bye after texting me that he didn't want us to talk anymore. He's not the type of person to bail on a proper good bye.
Being that nobody in his life knows about his PTSD, and he hasn't gotten an outsider's perspective on it for over a year, I'm conflicted as to whether or not I should approach him about it. I know his PTSD isn't my responsibility or my problem, but I really care about him and feel like this is maybe a low point for him, and I want to be there for him, but he won't let me.
We haven't talked in a week, and I don't know if he'll even give me the time of day, so I wrote him a very long letter that he hopefully doesn't tear to shreds upon delivery. I really think he'll eventually come around, and maybe I should just wait until he does to give it to him, but then there's the possibility that I could waiting forever... I know I should really leave him alone and give him the space that he/we both need right now, but I want to at least lay it on the table that I am here for him and won't judge him. After I get those words to him, then I will continue to leave him alone.
What I am asking for is any kind of input on the situation.
I'm in a bit of a pickle, and would like to see what kind of input both sufferers and supporters have on the situation.
A friend of mine, well, we're not "friends" anymore, I guess, has combat PTSD. Nobody in his family knows, none of his friends know, and he isn't getting treatment for it, and I doubt he's going to any time soon, if at all. He's been out of the Navy for over a year, and, as far as I know, he still displays many of the symptoms.
He recently shut me out of his life, saying "I'm still against me for you." and saying that we were moving in "destructive circles" (we initially dated, then he wanted to break up, and we became good friends, then he wanted to come back to me, but then he decided to call us quits all together. This all happened over the course of a couple months.). I was the only person in his life who knew/knows about his PTSD, and I feel like that's why he deleted me, even though I showed nothing but support and understanding. I have never done anything to hurt him and vice versa. We had a very trusting relationship.
He refused to give me a proper, face to face good bye after texting me that he didn't want us to talk anymore. He's not the type of person to bail on a proper good bye.
Being that nobody in his life knows about his PTSD, and he hasn't gotten an outsider's perspective on it for over a year, I'm conflicted as to whether or not I should approach him about it. I know his PTSD isn't my responsibility or my problem, but I really care about him and feel like this is maybe a low point for him, and I want to be there for him, but he won't let me.
We haven't talked in a week, and I don't know if he'll even give me the time of day, so I wrote him a very long letter that he hopefully doesn't tear to shreds upon delivery. I really think he'll eventually come around, and maybe I should just wait until he does to give it to him, but then there's the possibility that I could waiting forever... I know I should really leave him alone and give him the space that he/we both need right now, but I want to at least lay it on the table that I am here for him and won't judge him. After I get those words to him, then I will continue to leave him alone.
What I am asking for is any kind of input on the situation.
- Should I even bother?
- Should I wait for him to come around to give him the letter?
- Should I give him the letter at all?
- Sufferers, what do you feel is the best approach to speaking to somebody about their PTSD is?
- Would me going against his wishes of us not talking to talk to him about his PTSD only enrage him more, or do you think I would be able to reach him?