Anxiety panic & relationships

[Jewelz742200]

I met and am still with a great woman. We relate great in so many many ways. Intimatcy is a problem for me. My PTSD gets in the way of us relating. I disassociate at ackward times. It’s like my mind jumps ship leaving me numb and distant. It’s like things go in slow motion and it’s like a wave of terror creeps in. I don’t get it 19 years later and I’m still dealing with this stuff. Its like my mind and body say yes then when start heating up I shutdown. I talk to my girlfriend about some of PTSD issues. I can’t explain why or how this happens to her and stop it either.

Is there anybody else going through this?

 

[EveHarrington]

Hi, I think intimacy issues are common with ptsd. Are you in treatment?

 

[Jewelz742200]

I was but all we did was talk about stuff and I left feeling empty inside and more stuff creeped up. How can I explain to my girlfriend what is going on with me. She is very supportive and caring.

 

[dreesieblues]

I know some time has passed but I see you didn't get a reply to your last comment. If you believe that your girlfriend is supportive and caring, I think starting a conversation about your PTSD while an episode is kicking in would be a good time. She might feel a sense of relief, understanding what you are going through, and possibly she was confused about. If not while an episode is happening, perhaps during discussion about something else relatable. Maybe you can swing the conversation into that direction, feel out her responses or reactions, and give her more details if it is comfortable.
Hopefully enough time has passed that you have had a chance to talk about things with her by now.

 

[grit]

I am sorry I do not understand your question? Are you talking about sexual relations or intimacy (like connecting and relating to each other)? If the first, there are many other things a couple can do instead of the traditional sexual relations. The latter seems complicated because I think expressing even your fears and feelings creates closeness provided the other person feels the same and that itself is intimacy. I think I may not get your question fully.

 

[Jewelz742200]

I know some time has passed but I see you didn't get a reply to your last comment. If you believe...

Thank you I will try it


@grit - Yes sexually