Relationship Boyfriend Diagnosed With Ptsd - Dont Know What To Do, Need Help!

[BeeSweet]

This is my first time posting in a forum ever. I decided to give it a try as I have read lots but never reached out.
My boyfriend was diagnosed with PTSD over a year ago and we haven't been able to fine the right help. The doctors keep trying to put him on SSRI's and I dont think this is a solution. He has gone to one therapy session recently and hope he will continue.

We are in a terrible position because he had a outburst that scared the people we were living with and have been asked to leave. He ran out of the house during his outburst and has been living in his car since. He has no job and basically no money. His anxeity has taken over his life and is unable to get a job as he can't be around people. The thought of talking to someone to submit a resume paralyzes him in fear let alone going to an interview.

I have basically been his only support through this and I feel like I have no where to turn to. I am absolutely terrified that he will hurt himself or end his life and am doing everything I can to listen and be there for him. BUt I cannot force him to do anything obviously.

I am so overwhelmed by all of this i cannot sleep, eat or work at my job. I fell like the system has failed us and that I will loose him. If anyone has any help to offer or even kind words I am open to anything.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I am moving your thread as it is the wrong section. Please be mindful of where you post. This is the sufferers section while you are looking for the supporters section. Just keep it in mind.

The doctors keep trying to put him on SSRI's and I dont think this is a solution.

I don't think it is the 'solution' either. In my mind it is a step, possibly something helpful, short term and to help aid therapy. IMO there is little therapy can do, by itself, if the patient is so far gone as you are telling us. Medication can help stabilize enough for therapy to actually help. And again it can be short term.

It is just my 00.2 cents. Best wishes.

 

[BeeSweet]

Thank you, sorry about the wrong location - i've never posted before.

 

[Luigi]

I hope you don't mind me giving my two cents even though I'm a sufferer and not a supporter. People tend to resist medication as a "crutch", and people with PTSD resist sharing or even reporting their symptoms when it's uncontrolled.....it's part of the lack of trust. I would like to encourage you and he to take whatever professional assistance you can get, including medication, to get some stability. You can't really make any progress when you're standing on wobbly ground. Maybe it could be a 'just for 30 days' plan. I do take SSRIs, which are sometimes helpful with PTSD, in my case they put a bottom on my depression.....my depression is very low level, but when I get triggered it can get extreme, so the SSRIs give me a measure of defense.

My resistance to taking medication was I felt like I was putting something foreign in my body (not terrific for a rape survivor), and that I was afraid of side effects. When I finally got a doctor that pointed out to me that as his patient, his goal was that there wouldn't be side effects, and that we'd work together to adjust drugs and dosages so that it worked for me. He in fact told me that he wouldn't take his medication either if it caused different suffering. Won me over. Lastly, in the articles here, there's a guide you can download that is PTSD basics, and I hope you'll check that out if you haven't. I don't agree with all of the assertions in it, but there's some good stuff. And you need to take care of yourself and your life, or you won't be able to help him cope. I'm thinking of you, this sounds like a terrible situation to be stuck in, I hope you get some relief.

 

[Orglethorp]

As a sufferer, I completely understand why your boyfriend doesn't want SSRIs. Not all doctors (in fact I'd say not most doctors) understand how to help people with PTSD. Sometimes the depression experienced by a PTSD sufferer isn't even remotely related to neurotransmitters, like Major Depression is, but is instead completely emotional. In those cases, SSRIs are only going to be a nuisance. I've been on antidepressants twice, and both times the side effects outweighed the benefits. That being said, they did help a little, so when I feel like I'm needing a little extra help, I'll often turn to natural alternatives. SSRIs work by affecting the way our brains handle the neurotransmitter serotonin (HTP). Most places that sell vitamins will sell a natural supplement called 5-HTP, which is the natural precursor to serotonin in our bodies. Instead of changing the way serotonin is handled (SSRIs), 5-HTP promotes more serotonin to be made, and it can have the same benefits of SSRIs without the side effects. That might be an option that you could look into and suggest.

I really hope that your boyfriend does continue with therapy, and I really hope that a solution is found for having a place to live. He's lucky to have someone who cares about him like you do, but don't forget to take care of yourself too. There's always lots of people here to talk to. :)

 

[WillyKat]

I quit meds (SSRI) over two years ago because they weren't really helping. What works for me better than any meds is "talk therapy", meaning a psychologist.

Is your boyfriend a veteran? If so, there might be local veterans groups that can at least provide someone to talk to. Otherwise, I agree with Luigi that the meds might raise the bottom so to speak and provide some kind of base upon which to build some better support.

Next time you talk to him, explain this to him. I know that communication is difficult with someone when they're really stressed and lacking trust. But if he trusts you, maybe he'll listen.