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Supporter The Girlfriend Of My Ptsd Lover

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Hello all, I'm just basically here to try and get advice or support. I have an off again on again love of 1 1/2yrs bf whom I love but sometimes I don't if this is then end or maybe the biginning I'm so confused just trying to understand it all....really....:(

Is it me or am I overreacting...sometimes he's loving & I don't want it to end other times he's so distant even looks at me in discust. I love this man, even though he won't make us official & sometimes even acts as if I can walk away & he won't care. We stop talking for weeks or months sometimes then somehow reconnect & then it's back at stage one again.

He finally said he loved me but it was after I said it 1st and he said it low so I didn't make a big deal out of it. I will admitt he didn't sound sure of hiself when he said it though. He's older than me my 11yrs that part doesn't bother me at all cause I don't his age just him. He acts very secretive with me sometimes I can actually get him to tell me what his plans are but other than the he doesn't like to discuss his feelings. So far he has said he doesn't just want to be friends when I gave him that option just last week. He even gets a big smile when he runs into me on accident so thats a good thing right? Idk.

The thing that bothers me most is alot of times I can't get him to text or call me back, much less even answer my calls. He acts so sweet & very talkative with others but with me he's not so open...sometimes makes me feel like he doesn't want me around. I try my best not to nag him or ask to much questions but what am I supposed to do when he makes me feel so distant. He sometimes just stares at me as if he doesn't know what to say when I ask or have serious talks with him about how im feeling about "us". How do you know when enoughs, well enough?

He isn't going to ptsd therapy like he's supposed to but is seeing a dr about his sleeping problem. I know he's a very busy man with his job, school, and kids....but sometimes he just makes me feel like i'm a nobody in his life. *sigh I don't know what to do or think anymore.
 
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Relationships are much harder when you have to read between the lines and the print tends to get microscopic! Read up, and find some other supporters that you can trust.

Welcome!

Bear
 
Is it me or am I overreacting...sometimes he's loving & I don't want it to end other times he's so distant even looks at me in discust. I love this man, even though he won't make us official & sometimes even acts as if I can walk away & he won't care. We stop talking for weeks or months sometimes then somehow reconnect & then it's back at stage one again.

He finally said he loved me but it was after I said it 1st and he said it low so I didn't make a big deal out of it. I will admitt he didn't sound sure of hiself when he said it though. He's older than me my 11yrs that part doesn't bother me at all cause I don't his age just him. He acts very secretive with me sometimes I can actually get him to tell me what his plans are but other than the he doesn't like to discuss his feelings. So far he has said he doesn't just want to be friends when I gave him that option just last week. He even gets a big smile when he runs into me on accident so thats a good thing right? Idk.

The thing that bothers me most is alot of times I can't get him to text or call me back, much less even answer my calls. He acts so sweet & very talkative with others but with me he's not so open...sometimes makes me feel like he doesn't want me around. I try my best not to nag him or ask to much questions but what am I supposed to do when he makes me feel so distant. He sometimes just stares at me as if he doesn't know what to say when I ask or have serious talks with him about how im feeling about "us". How do you know when enoughs, well enough?

He isn't going to ptsd therapy like he's supposed to but is seeing a dr about his sleeping problem. I know he's a very busy man with his job, school, and kids....but sometimes he just makes me feel like i'm a nobody in his life. *sigh I don't know what to do or think anymore.
 
Is it me or am I overreacting...*sigh I don't know what to do or think anymore.​

Hey there! Welcome. Actually, I can say that I've been on both sides of this as a PTSD sufferer and the girlfriend of one for a while. Don't overreact (you're doing a good job of not so far). I'll explain what's going on and why this is happening. He does definitely like you and so you should continue a relationship if you have the patience too. It isn't easy to date someone with PTSD but you seem like a very loving person so I think you should.
He may not make your relationship with him official because he is a man. Often they fear commitment as does anyone. The age difference most likely doesn't mean anything to him since he probably is just as interested in you as you are but may not be able to express it due to his PTSD. When he shrugs off and is really indifferent he may have other things on his mind and needs to be alone for a bit, but sometimes he may just want to make an impact to make sure that he means something to you. So just get good at reading him and approach him about these things. Often people with PTSD can't see much around them because they're really caught up in their past, so just elucidate things for him. Make it simple. Tell him how you feel and he'll open up and do the same. He seems like he has a cynical attitude perhaps due to the PTSD and that much of that is infused into his humour and attitude. Don't take offense to that but accept it and love it about him for being down to earth and perhaps even practical. When it comes to texting, calling back, etc. keep in mind that a lot of PTSD people become very forgetful post-trauma. They also become extremely task-oriented/detail-oriented since it is very hard to diffuse your focus elsewhere. I forget to even call my parents after months because I'm so busy with college. My ex-boyfriend used to find ways to call me and text me everyday with questions (i.e., hey sweetie, how's your day going? or what are you up to later tonight, wanna talk?) and such so that I would get back to him instead of just read the text and smile. I'm sure he appreciates your effort but might be a bit too busy to deal with it at that second. He seems like a busy man as you say and so I wouldn't make it too much of a big deal but maybe ask him in advance if he can call you towards the night or around lunch time because "you miss him" or something. He might have so much in his life aside from being a regular man and having responsibilities. In other words, he could find his life extremely difficult to deal with especially with flashbacks and dissociating. I would say read up on PTSD and apply that to your relationship when you deal with him without bringing up the fact that he has PTSD (might make him feel inferior). But do find ways to let him know you love him and that you care enough to be there to help him, even as "friends." He'll accept you into his heart as more soon enough. Best of Luck!!!

P.S. I just saw this book cover on the recommended titles from our forum (PTSD Books Library) here, I think you would benefit from reading this:

The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship: How to Support Your Partner and Keep Your Relationship Healthy
by: Diane England
 
If I was you, I wouldn't build your life around this guy. I believe you should do your own thing. Go out and have fun and meet new people. It doesn't sound like he's the kind of guy that you want or need.
 
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