My partner (military/combat PTSD) will be going into an inpatient PTSD program through the VA. Has anyone gone through one of these programs, or anyone a supporter of a loved one in a similar program? I have no idea what to expect or how to prepare myself. My partner will be gone 3-4 months and I am panicking. Thank you!
General Any experiences with VA inpatient PTSD treatment programs?
- Thread starter tacklebax
- Start date
Sweetpea76
Moderator
Don’t panic. Sometimes the inpatient treatment is the best thing.
My vet had 6 months inpatient before we started dating. He needed it. I don’t think he’d be alive now without it. He could probably do with another round honestly. He talks about going back sometimes.
My vet had 6 months inpatient before we started dating. He needed it. I don’t think he’d be alive now without it. He could probably do with another round honestly. He talks about going back sometimes.
torturedsoul4
New Here
What is all involved with the inpatient Ptsd treatment?
Sweetpea76
Moderator
Group and individual therapy, medication adjustments, different treatment opportunities… it’s a place where they can concentrate on working on their PTSD. Sometimes it’s a place for them to go and be monitored to make sure they don’t hurt themselves. It just depends on where he is going and what the program is. My vet’s program was men only, specifically for combat PTSD, and also focused adjusting to civilian life. A lot of them, like my guy, were also physically disabled.
arfie
MyPTSD Pro
i have never gone inpatient, but the lion's share of my own psychotherapy has been through va outpatient clinics. va clinics/hospitals vary wildly, but the va has consistently been the best help i have received in my own recovery. the workshops and support groups are top shelf.
healing requires many, many leaps of faith from both the sufferer and loved ones. steadying support while you take the leap, tacklebox. hope healing happens here.
healing requires many, many leaps of faith from both the sufferer and loved ones. steadying support while you take the leap, tacklebox. hope healing happens here.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thank you. I’m absolutely terrified. We are getting married and I’ve asked him if he wants to postpone the wedding and he asked why, and I said I’m afraid he won’t want me when he’s “better”. I don’t have anyone for my own support as my family and I are estranged because of my choice to stay with my partner through rehab and now this. This is the first time since his discharge (15+ years) that he’s gotten help for first his alcoholism and now PTSD.
My vet’s program is also men only and only for veterans of combat. He has 100% disability due to the ptsd and alcoholism.
What makes you think he won't want you afterwards?
- Thread starter
- #8
He had a very ugly divorce and his ex is incredibly combative. For brief context, she decided after the divorce was finalized that she didn't want to be divorced and get back together. He refused, she now weaponizes the kids. When he was in rehab, she tried to manipulate him into going back to her using the kids. The court system here is very biased and sides with the woman 99%, especially with veterans with PTSD. His ex also told me, to my face, that she will forever have his kids and so he will always go back to her in the end.
Just...a lot to unpack.
Just...a lot to unpack.
Sweetpea76
Moderator
That’s his ex, not him. Ex drama, especially with kids, is exhausting. Don’t feed into it. Seriously. She wants drama and attention. If he wanted her he’d be with her, and if kids made men come back there’d be no single moms.
He does not need drama right now. Be calm, be steady. It’d be a good idea to get some support for yourself. There’s VA caregiver support, and NAMI support groups. I’d research those online for your area. Even just reaching out here is comforting. This part of the forum is for supporters. We get it.
This is a good thing… him getting help. It’ll be rocky, just because trauma therapy is, but it is a good thing.
arfie
MyPTSD Pro
this would be a huge red flag in my strictly personal recovery. it takes a village to live a healthy life, even without the challenges of mental illness, etc. his time in-patient might be a most excellent time for you to begin building your own support network. may i suggest alanon? in my personal herstory, alanon has been great for the double duty of building my own therapy network while simultaneously finding pragmatic suggestions and empathy for supporting loved ones through recovery.
just a suggestion. . .
