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Relationship Here we go again.

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TDaily

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Just a little venting here, thanks for the support ahead of time. It does help.

Wife of 3+ years had multiple triggers this week and really went off on me today. I got the "You don't care or respect me; we should separate" talk again. I've had it many times, and when they get really bad, I come on here and this helps me release a bit.

I meet up with some college friends 2-3 times a month. My wife absolutely hates it, but I need a little "me" time every once in a while, correct? I shouldn't say she absolutely hates it, most of the times she disapproves, a few times she's somewhat "supportive," I think she understands why I do it. Either way, she was not happy this time (Monday). The following day, she hosted a cooking party for a friend. There was a lot of people she didn't know and the anxiety triggered her again (Tuesday). Things kinda lingered throughout the week, where it felt like at anytime she would boil over, but it didn't really come until today.

She started blasting me with all the wrongs I've ever done to her since we've known each other; how much I've disrespected her thru the years. To me, they seem like very minor offenses, but I've realized as I've educated myself on PTSD, that they can mean the world to a sufferer. I try to assure her that I've learned from those mistakes and I do really care and respect her. She says "no, you don't." I ask her to name one time in the past year I disrespected her. She can't name any, but says I am. It's all in her head.

It's extremely frustrating, when I don't feel like I am doing anything to warrant this treatment. I do my best to not "punch back" but it does eventually boil over and I take it out by slamming the door, or stomping the ground. She says that triggers her too and I am working on catching myself.

I love my wife very much and am hurt to see her like this. I feel like I'm a good husband. At least, I'm trying my best. It's just tough to be constantly told how awful a person I am.

Apologies for being a little long-winded. Not looking for solutions as I've found time is the only real cure for these things. Just support. Thanks.
 
She refuses any kind of treatment, and for me to suggest it means I'm not "supportive." She really gets upset when I remove myself and give her the silent treatment. Yet, if I do respond to the outbursts, that's a lost cause also. It's a real no-win situation.
 
This seems like a double bind type of situation. I think by giving yourself some space and time to take care of you and refusing to get sucked into the no win situation,, I see a time out is a great tool to take good care of you and to try to make yourself feel better about who you are and just do not get into the circular arguements. I hope that this makes sense.

If she is not getting any treatment, then self care seems to be the most important thing you can do for yourself.
 
Let her get upset if you remove yourself... she's an adult. She needs to learn to check her lashing out behaviors. You however do not have to stand there and be the target of verbal abuse and mind f*ckery.

It's as much for your mental health as it is hers.

It's setting a boundary. "I will not tolerate being berated like I'm an idiot/child. When you're ready to have an actual conversation I will be here." Then leave the situation. Notice your not telling her "you can't talk to me like that". You're saying "if you talk like that I will leave." That's controlling your behavior and not hers. She has no say in your boundary. That's YOUR limit.

Boundaries are essential in a PTSD relationship, for both parties.
 
Just a little venting here, thanks for the support ahead of time. It does help.

Wife of 3+ years had mult...
I just recently (Friday) had to deal with the effects of being blamed for not being supportive during a very crucial time. My bf asked me to leave and catch a ride with someone else because he wasn't emotionally prepared to take me home. I decided to leave and when I did, the next day he went off on me because I did t speak with him before I left. I didn't even know I was doing something wrong. So now he's deciding to leave the state and go work on his emotional and mental health. I explained that I wasn't aware of his needs at that moment and that I thought he wanted me to go. I'm not sure of what to do sometimes and I'm not sure of how to handle things with him at the moment. Early Friday morning we had the most endearing conversation and we seem to be so very close, and due to a certain event that took place on Thursday afternoon (court hearing with ex/stalker) I'm having to pay for it,
 
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