Supporter Girlfriend Of Deployed Airman

[goldenkhild]

Hi!

So my boyfriend is currently deployed and we don't have much of an opportunity to connect. However, the few times that we do, he is just very...different. He says he's "changed" and is "not the same person he was" and he's expressed doubts regarding his religious beliefs anymore because of the things he's said and done. He has a childhood history of some trauma which, from what I've read, can potentially exacerbate his chances of developing PTSD after his experiences at war. I honestly feel overwhelmed and I'm not sure what to do or how to react. He is withdrawing a lot and expresses a lot of doubts about our relationship. There were some issues prior to his deployment but, in my opinion, nothing that couldn't be worked through. Unfortunately, I think those problems are all piling up on top of everything else he is going through.

I am just seeking some support from other military significant others and/or family members who have gone through this situation and might have some advice to give.

Thank you.

 

[KP the nut]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Many here will relate to you. Check out the supporters section - they may even have the kettle on ;)

 

[The Hermit King]

Ok I read about a study done awhile back about Tetris and PTSD and it said that it could help, maybe even prevent PTSD all together. I have no clue if this is really possible because it said you had to play it while you were experiencing your trauma?? I did not have Tetris when I was deployed but I know they have a lot more access to things now than when I was over there or you could mail him a Tetris game of some sort, maybe one of the little portable ones he could keep in an ACU pocket or something and play whenever is convenient.

Hey people may make fun of me for even posting this but I am serious when I say if something like this could have made it so I did not have to live with this beast every day of my life for damn near a decade I would have been walking around with one everywhere I went. Doesn't really help you out so much right now though but maybe in the long run? I don't know, I am not making it up though. I wish I knew about it then so I could have tested it out.