Supporter Fiancée with ptsd

[tarjei]

Yes, I think normalizing therapy is crucial. I've emphasized that PTSD is not insanity, it's, well, post-traumatic stress. She has said she will try therapy.
I don't disagree with what you're saying about boundaries, but the thing is her behaviors tend to be things that she has no conscious control over and/or directly only hurt herself - things like social isolation (she has no prolem socializing with my family and friends), insomnia during the night (she doesn't wake me up or anything), sleeping until noon, etc.

 

[Deleted member 8714]

sleeping until noon

It's a given that us PTSDers need lots more sleep than the average person. To feel good I need between 9 and 10 hours of sleep sometimes more. I've been known to sleep for 12 hours sometimes. At least now I can say that when I'm not triggered or working on a memory, I can sleep through a train going through my house. At least that's what my husband has said. It's a sound, knocked out kind of sleep. Never before had this happened with me. And without any medication!

Glad to hear she'll try therapy.

 

[Virtues]

's a given that us PTSDers need lots more sleep than the average person

Self stigma you have fallen victim to. This is not true at all. Take your life back. You may not be ready yet and that's okay, but speak in "I" statements, not for all people with PTSD.

 

[littleoc]

Sleep frequently escapes people who have PTSD, so when sleep happens, it can cause one to sleep in or need more hours. :)

Anything exhausting can cause longer sleeps, for body healing, to put it simply.

I frequently need 9-10 hours as well, especially after several nights of not being able to sleep properly. Then I'll be sleeping for 12 hours or even more sometimes. I have been reassured by doctors and psychologists alike that this is normal for the situation.

This source has tips for helping you/your sufferer to sleep well:
Sleep and PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD