Supporter Girlfriend Has Ptsd And Bipolar

[g6khk0]

Hello everyone,

I'm a newbie to this site and PTSD. What a relief it is to find this sight for advice and comraderie. My girlfriend of 3 months suffers from PTSD and Bipolar for which she takes several meds for.

We are not youngsters as she's 47 and I'm 54. I was prepared for a rollar coaster ride and am a very patient and dedicated man. We have spent every weekend together for the last 3 months, not intimately as I don't want her to feel pressured.

Anyways, after 3 months she is going through a phase of isolating, at least from me. Yesterday and today is the first time in 3 months she has not sent at least an email. This is the first and I'm trying to figure out if I stand back and do nothing, send her a simple daily email just letting her know I care and am here if needed, or just approach her openly about what she's going through. We have at the very least sent an email or text every day to each other.This was out of the blue as we spent a great Friday and Saturday together. When I left her on Saturday night she did say she might take a warm bath as she was feeling stressed. Haven't heard from her since.

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[Lady of Longbourn]

Welcome to the forum. :)

I am also Bipolar and have PTSD. Not a fun combination! It's hell on your body, mind and your life.

My first thought reading your post was medication. Are you sure she is still taking it?

Glad she has you to help her in the journey. My husband is a big comfort for me.

Take care of yourself.

 

[g6khk0]

She takes her meds when I am there on weekends and appears to be very vigilant about always taking it. She came out of a really bad time a couple of years ago where she had shut down for 2 years. She says she never wants to go back to that dark place again. She takes seroquel and lorazipam at night and lorazipam and a mood stabilizer (can't remember the name) in the morning.

I think it would be easier for me to take care of myself if I knew how to communicate with her when she is looking for her down time like she is right now. I just want to do what's right for her. Whether leaving her be alone or any type of communication till she works her way through whatever is troubling her. Thank you for your reply.

 

[TLight]

The stess of a relationship, even of someone helping and supporting, can sometimes feel to 'us'...as pressure. Pressure to return something we just aren't capable of returning sometimes. These diagnosis are hell, as other's have said.

Be strong for her, let her know if she isn't capable of returning feelings, actions, emotions...that's OK. If it isn't OK for you at times, you're in for a long ride.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Different types of communication work best for different people, as well as the frequency. I agree with keeping the lines of communication open as isolating is rough on all parties, and even though she may not be able to speak to you, she'll still know that you care about her and support her.

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[g6khk0]

Thank you all. She did send an email on Monday saying that she needed time as her "frightened self" is trying to take over and she needs to concentrate on gaining control. She said she'll call in a week or two once she has everything back under control. Also requested that I not contact her. I'll honor her wishes.