Relationship Concealing emotions

[AprilMel_]

Hi everyone

I have posted recently under M21_= but have since decided to register an account.

I am wondering if concealing emotions or in fact switching off emotions is a capability for those who suffer with c-PTSD? Or taking it further, the denial of emotions.

For example, I have recently posted about my situation with my now ex fiance. One thing he has done a few times since we broke up is cry and clearly be in emotional pain, then he will suddenly switch that off and say things like he doesn't feel anything and he is fine. If I mention that he was just crying and ask him why he will literally deny he cried, even though I watched it clear as day right in front of me. This is just a small example.

 

[Sweetpea76]

Yep. Emotional numbing is a symptom.

 

[scout86]

And, occasionally, a useful survival skill.

 

[EveHarrington]

Yes, it’s very possible for emotions to switch off suddenly. I discovered how I can do it on command, but don’t do it anymore as it’s a dangerous path to travel down.

 

[Freida]

Oh yea - turn them feels off and move forward. If you are always in fight flight or freeze you see the things around you as a threat. And you cant successfully concentrate on the task at hand if you are all mushy. I think you might be missing how deep these survival skills run. It's not something I think about. It's something I react to. They are as automatic as blinking. And until very recently I didn't even know they existed.

he will literally deny he cried,

He honestly may not know. My T has told me a couple times that I was crying -- and I had no idea. I thought she was out of her mind.

 

[Still Standing]

I grew up hiding my feelings. Most people have no idea how upset, hurt, or frustrated I am when around others. Only a couple of friends can read me. It takes a lot of energy to do this. You ex sounds like he dissociates when he cries, not remembering it when he comes back to the real world. But then again maybe he looses control and cries and then denies the obvious because to do so makes him look weak or not "manly". Sadly, you are probably not the one to help him with this, especially since you guys are in a stressful place in a relationship. If is he not in the care of a therapist, he needs to be gently encouraged to be. Sorry this is a frustration for you. Us, PTSDers, can throw some challenging issues in relationships.