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Combat Ptsd Epidode And Relationship Question.

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Becksknox

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So my USAF PTSD sufferer went into his shut down mode, not so much isolation mode, because we haven't gone a day without texting or talking or both, since March. His cup overflowed and March has always been a bad month for him. I got him to agree to go to therapy which no one else has ever done. I'm actually the only person he's ever shared this with.
He's gone sporadically but I think he has quit because it was making him face his issues and it was too. At the beginning he ended our relationship, same as last March.
He says he isn't ready for an "in depth" relationship, mind you after being together almost 2 years, living together 8 months and buying an engagement ring blah blah blah. So he has kept me around and lately is going hot and cold. He gets extremely angry at me but says he wants to be friends, yet I am the only "friend" he treats this way. My therapist says it's because they push away the once they love the most bc they feel so horrible about themselves and don't want us to go down with them.
His family and friends say he's always happy around them but he's able to ignore everything with them since they don't know what he's going thru. He said he wanted to start dating slow and see what happens. Then all of a sudden changes his mind because he says if we date slow we both know it will end up where we were. Well, DUH, that should tell you it's meant to be. But I understand his thoughts aren't completely rational right now.

So all that rambling to say, is it safe in this situation to go to the dating "No Comtact Rule" or will it drive him nuts. We argued last Thursday and I told him I'd had enough and to not contact me until he could talk civilly. He has still called and texted each day. I take hours to read and or reply.

Any insight here would be great. I've read that this no contact rule works wonderfully but I don't want to further push him into the pit he is in.
He came over today with the engagement ring and told me to return it and take the money for me. I said I wouldn't do that at all bc it would hurt too much. He put it in his pocket and said he will keep it for "down the road". I know he still loves me and is just pushing those emotions way down right now.

What should I do? Any thing is helpful.
 
What is the dating "no contact" rule?

If its a "rule" for relationships I would be VERY wary of using it on someone with PTSD. Playing games messes with anyone's head. And all the usual "rules" for relationships (eg: he's just not that into you) do NOT apply when PTSD is in the picture.
 
So I should just continue to wait in him to text or call and continue to be patient. He had a super angry week last week and had a long weekend on flights to think it thru and has been very kind this week and has asked to come over the last 3 nights.
I wait for his contact first as I don't want to say or do anything that would add stress or pressure.
 
And the rule is where you go 30 days of not answering texts or calls and totally ignore him. I don't think it's right since he can only trust me with his emotions and his different emotions. While with friends he can ignore it all so it may build and then release. He's always apologetic and ashamed of himself after.
 
He has to build trust with others besides you. You are not a trauma specialist which it is clear that he needs one. He has to do his part to get well. Doesn't sound like he's even trying. And I'm sorry he has this dreaded condition, but in no way does it give him permission to lash out at you in anger.
What have got to lose by cutting contact for 30 days? Either he grows up and gets help or he doesn't. It is totally unfair for you to be feeling that you are the only one he can trust or talk to. That's just a cop out. He and you don't deserve to live in a vacuum devoid of the pleasures life has to offer. If he's abusing substances then by all means, walk away.
 
Stop getting dating advice from normies. (Re: No contact rule....that's most definitely not a PTSD thing!) It will lead you astray much of the time when dealing with a PTSD partner.

ETA

The 30 day rule is crap advice for a non-PTSD relationship, too! I think a manipulative, spiteful woman made up that rule. She's probably 50 now with 17 cats and single. LMAO.
 
Be very, very wary of playing mind games with combat vets. Most of us have about zero capacity for bullshit. Someone wants to start playing games? Ain't worth my f*cking time. I don't need this shit. Done.

You need a break for yourself? Take one. Whatever that looks like. A week, a month, a year, whatever. Taking some space to get your own head on straight? No worries. Totally understandable. That's not manipulation & head games. That's taking some space.

The upsides to not playing games, but taking the time you need? First off, you aren't lying. You can honestly say that this is what you need right now. The BS detector doesn't redline on honesty, cause it's not a head game. ((Although insecurity & anxiety can redline, making us wonder if they're playing games, it's a different feeling / the truth will out eventually, if it's a need, not a game.)) Secondly, if that's not something he can handle? Oh well. It's time you need, whether you stay together or break up, it had to happen either way. It isn't a ploy that backfires on you, that you never had to do to begin with. You're taking care of your side of the street, & he's taking care of his.

Hint: Time limits & rules? Those are game speak. How on earth is anyone to know they won't feel fantastic after 28 days, or might actually need 34.5 days? Or even just 2 days? :shifty::cautious:
 
@FridayJones thank you for your honesty. It wasn't so much to play mind games but bc I need to heal from this process as well and staying in contact with him is keeping me from me. But on the other hand he always contacts me. Even if I tell him to stop, like I'm putting out boundaries for me and he doesn't care. I think @Sweetpea76 was correct when she said it's his way of keeping control over me.
 
@itsKismet Do you have any advice to give me since what I've read doesn't apply in the cases. I don't text or call him unless he intiates bc I want it to be on his terms so I don't catch him at s bad moment. But it is hard on me even though I am taking my time to work on me too.
 
One thing you might try is a double-sufferer trick:

Codes.

Whenever I've dated someone else with PTSD we usually have a get out of jail free code in the form of an asterisk. (Or another symbol. Technically, I think I/we usually had half a dozen quick send codes up and running.). It's a 1 symbol thing, and it's all you have to send. Means can't talk. That simple. For good or bad, it means Zip it! (In a loving way). Can be sent in reply to a text, or just a daily thing to let them know you're alive. No response needed, or even "allowed", exactly except an acknowledgment, unless it's an emergency. It's "good" for 24-36 hours. If the asterisks stop coming, or the person sending them actually calls? Free responses are good to go. Until then? Silence. Peaceful, blissful, silence. It doesn't have to mean that you're holed up & hurting, although it often does. It can also mean that you're just busier than a 1 legged man in an ass kicking contest.

It's a way to stay in contact with a person that you love but just simply cannot deal with at present... Without anyone's feelings getting hurt. Isolation up! LOL Which can get tricky when 2 people are both doing it.
 
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