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Afraid Of The Future

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Greywesty

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About 6 weeks ago after being in the hospital for a previous surgery that has gotten infected and needed to be opened up again my wife talked to me. She told me that my daughter was tired of walking on egg shells not knowing what mood I would be in. That I needed help. I would either be depressed or manic/angry. I would yell over the little things. Yet other days I would be caring and "nice". I was told it had been about 8/9 years. I went to my ADD doctor and asked for help. She put me on a mood stabilizer that after about a week has been working great. I have had no outburst and actually pretty calm.

After about a week being on the medication I really knew what my problem was and decided to tell my wife. I was working one night with a friend and had to check wiring in a high rise apartment building.

When we got in a large group of guys grabbed my buddy and me. He gave up and they raped him. While fighting with the guys holding me one had let go of my leg where I was able to kick one in the face. I then had a free hand to grab my shears and stab a guy in the side. When he screamed and the blood started to poor out they all took off with their now wounded friend. We left without saying a word in our own vehicles. We didn't talk after that just nod at each other in passing. Like it was a dirty secret.

A couple months later he died in a car wreck. I thought he had killed himself. Over what happened. I found out last month is wasn't suicide nut a tie rod failure.My wife was ok at first but then she told me I would have to build back up the trust as I have been emotional checked out. I didn't like it but understood. I was just starting to like myself again.

Then about 2 weeks ago her grandmother had told her that I was mean to my 14 year old son. I was only teasing him about a thing from a tv show. He said he was just mad about having to work that day when he wanted to be skate boarding. I had known that and I was trying to cheer him up.My wife told me that was my last chance though.

When the grandmother things happened I had also gone to two different therapist once each. They were not a fit. I wanted to see one at the place my doctor is located. I heard great things about her but couldn't get an appointment till the next week. Plus already had a visit lined up with another number three therapist.

This is where I screwed up. I knew that it wasn't going to work out with therapist #3. But wasn't worried cause they place I wanted to go said they'd could get me in around 7-10 days. Plus #3 was horrible on the phone. I told my wire I was going and had been to the place where my doctor was at cause I figured she would think I wasn't trying by going through 3 therapists.

The one last Friday ,#4 is a great match. My wife came with me so she could ask some questions at the end. While I was in talking to the therapist I told her how I lied and needed to tell her. She said I should tell. I signed a release so the therapist could tell my wife everything. When my wife came in she asked a couple questions and then asked if it was my first visit with her. The therapist answered it as I asked her to. My wife had heard her introduce herself to me when she came to get me in the waiting room. I know I shouldn't have lied but felt scared to tell her it wasn't working out with the other therapists. I had to let her know the truth though and felt more comfortable finding out at the therapists.

She now wants me to move out. I have not yelled or been mean to her or the kids since I got help 5-6 weeks ago when the medication started to work and I started to face what happened. My doctor thinks it PTSD and maybe a mood disorder.

I have a great relationship with my kids now Boy/Girl 14/15. I feel much better about myself. I still have nightmares but not sad or angry. Feel almost like I used to. I know than not telling the truth was wrong. I have been doing great otherwise. I have always had a good job so she could stay at home with kids and work four months at her families business.

I do the cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping etc..I always have since we married 17 years ago when she was in a nursing program. I also know that I have not been easy to live with for the last 8 years because of the mood swings and yelling. There was times I was good though. She said that she told me to get help before but I never heard her.

I am now scared not only cause I am losing her, won't be able to take care of the kids, but of being alone. How it's going to affect me. While I understand why she is mad I feel abandoned by her when I need family the most. I have no family other than my wife and kids. She has family that are telling and backing her. They think I am not worth trying to help/fix!

Sorry it's so long but needed to explain. I am now starting to have panic attacks and scared about my future.
 
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Hi Greywesty,

Welcome here.

I am very sorry to hear about you dreadful experience and can imagine some of the emotions and thoughts that would follow.

The problem is that from your wifes perspective she has a build up of the other stuff over many years. It usually takes consistently "doing" to earn back trust once that has happened. Especially if there has been emotional distancing happening along the way.

I understand those feelings of abandonment and worry. These are great things to discuss in therapy.

Keep focussed on consistently getting better and working hard and keep yourself one hundred percent honest with wife and children as well as keeping your word with any promises, and see how things go.

It usually takes time for a relationship to be damaged and it takes and time to win trust back. Focus on you now.
 
Gentle hugs, greywesty. That is a whole lot to process. I would be suspecting denial if you were claiming an absence of fear. As it stands I am suspecting intelligent insight and great courage.

The lion's share of my own PTSD fears of the future are family related. My sons are 29 and 33. I have been married 33 years. Still my fears nag me. Will my sons ever heal from having been conditioned from my emotional roller coaster? Will the 3 of them wise up and ostracize me? Worse, will they hang on with the shared goal of exacting vengeance for the stupid things I did while I was lost in the fog? Etc., etc. My fear can spin endlessly through possible scenarios.

I try to accept it as simple fact that I don't get to control what they do, nor do I have an accurate read on the future. When I can accomplish this, I see that there are as many possibilities for positive outcomes as negative. I can trust them to handle their piece of the puzzle while I focus on handling mine.

Just me. Hope you find yours, greywesty.
 
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the advice and experiences of those that have walked in my shoes.

The path of working to getting better is new to me and what I can't control scares me. I really love my wife and my kids. Knowing that I won't be there to take care of them like I have scares me. I also don't know how I am going to afford to live as paying for everything at the house I am getting kicked out of pretty much takes up my most of my pay.

Its been a hard day today but have kept my sanity for the most part. Felt the anxiousness of a panic attack creep on but was able to calm down. Spending the day with my daughter was a big help. Its hard to not talk about my adult problems with her when she senses something is wrong. I won't lie to her but won't tell her about me leaving yet. We are going to wait till next Friday so they have the weekend to be upset before going back to school. We might wait till my wife can go to a therapy appointment with me the week after next. She can't go to next weeks. I trying to be hopeful she will change her mind before then but to not prepare would be naive.

Please keep the advice coming and I like to hear it straight. I can take criticism and appreciate being told how it really is.
 
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I am still trying to keep things normal for the kids doing what I always have. They keep telling me how great I am doing and that's been a huge inspiration. As was a text from my son on Friday thanking me for making sure he had a good weekend.

I almost wish I could get angry and hate my wife but that would be giving in to my illness. It would only be me trying to divert the pain and sorrow that I am facing.

I made a promise to myself that I would deal with everything in the future head on. No matter how painful or scary it will be. Its the only way I can get to the best place possible.

I look forward to seeing the therapist and doctor this week. I wish that there was a support group in this area and hope they know of some.

Turning into a recluse again is not am option. I have not figured this out yet. I used to like to be alone but now that the "secret" is out. Find myself more comfortable being with people.

I am not as ashamed of what happened to me anymore. I still have moments but they pass. Wish I
could accept what's going on with
my marriage and unknown future as
well.
 
Hi Greywesty,
My heart goes out to you brother. You faced a serious threat and came out alive, that took courage and strength. Keeping that bottled up would make anyone feel horrible, and your reactions are normal. You can recover and regain what you lost. You are strong man who has faced some really bad s**t. You can learn to use your experience to make you stronger (emotionally) than you have ever been.

The casualties from the trauma you experienced are still mounting. That is the way this condition works, it keeps taking from you until you deal with what is inside. The wound keeps reopening and spreads to our wives, our children, our friendships. The more we hide it the stronger it gets. I pray it is not too late for you and your wife.

Take into consideration what this condition may have done to your wife. Have you been able to be there for her when she needed you? Have you been fully present mentally and emotionally? Have you asked her how this has made her feel? Find out what she needs from you, tell her she deserves to have what she needs and you need her support to get there. You have one more battle to fight and this one is in the heart.

No matter what has happened in the past, you are still a good guy. Don’t let shame overtake you. Before your wife will forgive you, you have to forgive you. You are on the right path by getting this out in the open, keep it out there.

Have you read the books "Wild at heart?" or "Iron John"? They are a must read for any man dealing with a wounded soul.
 
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