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Relationship Does Pointing Out The Facts Help With Denial ?

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horizons

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My partner's ptsd has been caused by his job in the emergency services, exacerbated in times of stress by childhood issues that then crop up. It is his job that continues to trigger him, with politics and moreso incidents he attends. He is up to 50 fatalities and acknowledges this has had an effect on him, but does not want to accept that staying with his job runs the risk of increasing damage to him. It is supposed to be a part time position, with the others in the place having full time jobs as well, but his focus on it has been so high that our business is all but non-existent.

He kept blaming winter for quiet times, now that it's summer and nothing is happening he still won't accept that it's his lack of focus.

The most recent exit from our relationship has been an incident of a motor vehicle accident. Even though he knows somewhere in his brain that this has been a trigger, he maintains it's to do with childhood issues suddenly coming up because he was contacted by his mother. In fact he'll use every reason under the sun, including faults with me, for his actions. Every reason except the fact, especially when going through these episodes of removing himself from me. In fact any mention of ptsd being related to his work in my texts over the last week have been met with enormous anger.

I fear that the next fatality will send him over the edge to a place where he will not only lose me, but also his job and any sense of reality. The politics in this place of work are so entrenched and so bitter that two previous captains have left due to ptsd. I was told he has taken on "warrior syndrome" where he feels he must stay there to save his crew from falling apart.

Is there any point to stating facts to someone in such strong denial? 18 months ago he even managed to convince his therapist it was any other issues rather than work - until my therapist conferred with his. At that point he was referred to someone who did EMDR, something which started a healing journey and 12 months of a loving and positive relationship. Until he took on the captain's role. I'm thinking of sending a text with a timeline of facts. But am worried it will only be met with extreme anger as it has done in the past. If I don't, will it never click, and will he continue on this path to self destruction, supported by people who have no idea what's going on in his mind?
 
It is so hard when they fail to see what is so obvious to us. However, in my relationship with my husband timing is so important. I have to choose the right time to bring things up. Even then I will approach it delicately. I try to find a time he is relaxed and maybe bring up PTSD casually and feel out how he is feeling on the subject.

If he seems to respond positively I will add what I wanted to. He will be more accepting when he is ready to be open to it at his time and on his terms. I also don't go on about it.

Finding this right time---means a bit of patience. He apparently doesn't want to acknowledge this point so you will have to approach it ever more kindly. You may also try to just show concern and care. Sometimes they may think we are being accusatory or sometimes my husband thinks I am berating him--treating him like a child. I don't think I am, but one has to be super careful.

His job may also be part of his identity in some ways so for him this may just not be an option. It might be like asking him to chop off his arm. So you have quite a challenge on your hands. I know it's frustrating for you, but just do the best you can. He may not be ready now to be open to it. You can only control yourself, so don't put it all on your shoulders. He is ultimately responsible for himself.

I hope it goes okay. Hang in there.
 
Facts do seem to make a difference to my H. But only if they are uncontroversial - observable things. I keep a calendar and track episodes. (I am a bit of a data lover.) If you present the timeline without interpretation or demands - but just offered as information to be used, it might be helpful to him. The hard part is making sure it contains NOTHING but the facts as neutrally stated as possible so "phone conversation with your mother" not "angry with mother on the phone". Don't text it. Put it on paper where he can see it when he is off duty. (Texts, in my mind at least, demand instant attention. And you don't want this to be perceived in any way as a demand, right?) If he is always triggered these days - I don't know what there is to do/say. Probably nothing. When my H is "in it" no new information penetrates the matrix.

IvyMillie is right and it bears repeating - this is HIS problem. You have No Control over it/him.

Seems like you guys are in a hell of fix. Wishing you a way out... (((((horizons)))))
 
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