Supporter Hello, There... Wanting To Be A Good Supporter

[baileytherobot]

Hi there! I'm a 25 (almost 26) year old female from California. My boyfriend is a Marine veteran after two tours through Iraq, he's got a lot of issues. We've known each other about 11 years and just recently became a couple. (Stars aligned and all of that fun stuff. He's currently in a rehabilitation facility in our town, working on his heroin addiction of two years. Before that, he had a lot of other drug problems and abuse.

I love my boyfriend and hope to marry him someday. I just want to be a good supporter and not aggravate his PTSD and I was told to seek friendships with other people going through what I am.

He's a sweet person with tendencies toward aggression (never toward me, he's always been very loving) but he's got night terrors and all kinds of other side effects from being in combat for so long. I want to make sure that I am there for him while maintaining good boundaries and everything...I have a young daughter that I would like to introduce to him when he's out. Although I love him, she's my main priority and I just want to do everything right.

Any friends would be appreciated!

 

[LisawithPTSD]

Welcome to the forum, robot. I have PTSD. Though I don't quite fit your needs (my history is non-military) there are some basic truths none-the-less. There are quite a few people on this forum that will be able to provide you the right support and there are plenty of threads dealing with the particular issues you will be interested in. I found my support team (people who help me) gained a greater understanding about PTSD from a book call The PTSD Sourcebook. It should be available at your neighborhood big-box bookstore if you're in a bigger city. Lisa

 

[Kintsugi]

Welcome to the forum Bailey. You sound like you're really healthy! (Re: maintaining boundaries, daughter priority)

This forum has a lot of resources and support to offer. I'd recommend you check out the supporters section. We also have a sister forum for Combat PTSD... Never been there but maybe there's a supporter section there too.

Well wishings.

 

[baileytherobot]

Thanks, guys! I will check out everything and be combing the site for resources to help!

 

[kahlan]

The combat site miss anti s is for sufferers from combat only. The supporter section here is full of some great people though and its been a great help to me in keeping my head straight. :) best of luck

 

[intothelight]

Welcome to MyPTSD forum! :)