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Sufferer Hi. [long, but fairly odd/interesting, maybe?—maybe not, though]

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Phoebe_A

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Hi. I was really glad to find this forum ~5 minutes ago. I read a few posts & can really relate, so maybe this is a community where I can begin reconnecting with people other than my spouse, with whom I actually haven't connected well at all the past couple or so years. (And, hey, if you've read this far—about the spouse & all—you may want to skim the next part.)

I'm just getting this out of the way—I'm not seeking support for it. So, this spouse—& I wish I were joking here—& I swear this was certainly not by design on my part, as I've always generally disliked psychiatrists, though my current one: she's good]—so, yeah, spouse is a psychiatrist whose specialty (what he did his residency in/what he principally treats) is trauma. YET! he's generally as non-compassionate, unsupportive, & rageful as one can be without being flagrantly abusive right now. And I almost wish I could say, "Well, surely that's related to some anger issue I have—I'm a mean witch," but I can't—I 'm generally afraid to express (& feel?) anger.

His worst moments are when I [the following are his words] "go exhibiting trauma symptoms aGAIN! Jesus Christ!!" So, if I'm reminded of something horrible & start crying, he's angry. If I say, "I feel so badly & it's just getting worse. I'm unsure what to do, but I'm pretty certain I need some more help," he somehow interprets that as me blaming him & starts raging, "There you go—you ALways BLAME ME for not being able to magically FIX you. I'm busy—what do you want ME to do about it?!" Then I generally shut down after saying some variation on, "I know you're tired and probably burnt out from work—and me. I wasn't blaming you at all ["RIGHT!"] —no, just letting you know. Maybe we can talk some other time."

Okay. I guess I am really sad & feel very hurt about all that. (In the past, he was worse, though—I've had a mild head injury twice &, once, a broken finger. And the first thing is even a bigger deal, because I'm a professional classical musician—that's my "day job," my "bread & butter," what I "do." He stopped doing that stuff somehow. It seems he detached in a way.

Again, I didn't want to marry a shrink. When we first started going out, I knew he was a physician, but he mentioned it in a way that made me think he was a gerontologist! ("Oh, I help elderly people for the most part"— because most of his patients then were elderly.)

Sorry about length. Please don't feel a need to reply to that. I was just getting it out of the way. I have more pressing things to deal with, really. And I want to be as supportive as I can for others here.

Thank you for being part of a great community! —Phoebe
 
Welcome to the forums :)
Your relationship sounds difficult, hope you find this place as helpful as I have :)
 
Hi Phoebe,

Maybe it's worth considering looking for a paid psychologist, so you can work on your issues by yourself rather than through your partner, and find a way to tell him that you understand he's busy & tired but you feel you really could do with therapy, so you want to get a 3rd party psychologist to improve yourself, rather than put any burden on him. I'm sure it won't be easy, but it does sound like you're in a tough situation and therapy really could help you if it's from someone that isn't him.
 
Hi, Phoebe - welcome to the forum!

Hoping you can clarify, as perhaps I am misunderstanding. Your spouse has caused you two mild head injuries and a broken finger?

I do agree with what was said above...seeking therapy that is not with him is in your best interest. Doesn’t sound like he’s willing or able to help you at this point, even if he is professionally equipped to do so.

Hope you find the forum to be a supportive, helpful, and safe place!
 
First, welcome! So glad you feel safe here to vent. Second, if I may make a quick observation, he may be feeling like he is to blame (regardless of what happens) because he may wish he could help you. Many men are "fixers" and it's internally stressful when something can't be "fixed", and it can come across as anger or lashing out. I hope you both can find a way to reconnect and communicate. Hopefully, your psychiatrist can guide you through some coping skills that you can do for yourself. Prayers for wisdom, peace and strength for your journey.
 
You can come here and write if you want, you don't have to not ask for support. I hope you feel comfortable here and are able to work on what is more pressing for you. It's a great site with lots of wonderful articles, caring people with differing opinions, but that's ok here too. Take what you need from what's here, and ignore the stuff that doesn't resonate with you. Welcome!
 
@Phoebe_A
Important: multiple head injuries are medical traumas which can have cumulative effects.. When head injuries/brain injuries are accompanied by other types of traumas (abuse, extreme traumatic situations) and mix in a relationship with some psycho-screwed up boundaries, (in this case you) may begin to doubt your personal power, feel like the bad guy-the stupid one, the dramatic one, etc. , the UNEQUAL PARTNERSHIP-which may have become sick and distorted. When hubby becomes your home therapist or a fixer.......and has a temper to boot-so there is little hope for empathy when you feeling poorly, it's time to think about how healthy your environment is, how emotionally safe you are, and why you remain there. Yep, as others have mentioned, time to get your own, really very well qualified trauma therapist! Good luck.....I realize this is hard, but you need to be safe.
 
Hi. I was really glad to find this forum ~5 minutes ago. I read a few posts & can really relate, so maybe this is a community where I can begin reconnecting with people other than my spouse, with whom I actually haven't connected well at all the past couple or so years. (And, hey, if you've read this far—about the spouse & all—you may want to skim the next part.)

I'm just getting this out of the way—I'm not seeking support for it. So, this spouse—& I wish I were joking here—& I swear this was certainly not by design on my part, as I've always generally disliked psychiatrists, though my current one: she's good]—so, yeah, spouse is a psychiatrist whose specialty (what he did his residency in/what he principally treats) is trauma. YET! he's generally as non-compassionate, unsupportive, & rageful as one can be without being flagrantly abusive right now. And I almost wish I could say, "Well, surely that's related to some anger issue I have—I'm a mean witch," but I can't—I 'm generally afraid to express (& feel?) anger.

His worst moments are when I [the following are his words] "go exhibiting trauma symptoms aGAIN! Jesus Christ!!" So, if I'm reminded of something horrible & start crying, he's angry. If I say, "I feel so badly & it's just getting worse. I'm unsure what to do, but I'm pretty certain I need some more help," he somehow interprets that as me blaming him & starts raging, "There you go—you ALways BLAME ME for not being able to magically FIX you. I'm busy—what do you want ME to do about it?!" Then I generally shut down after saying some variation on, "I know you're tired and probably burnt out from work—and me. I wasn't blaming you at all ["RIGHT!"] —no, just letting you know. Maybe we can talk some other time."

Okay. I guess I am really sad & feel very hurt about all that. (In the past, he was worse, though—I've had a mild head injury twice &, once, a broken finger. And the first thing is even a bigger deal, because I'm a professional classical musician—that's my "day job," my "bread & butter," what I "do." He stopped doing that stuff somehow. It seems he detached in a way.

Again, I didn't want to marry a shrink. When we first started going out, I knew he was a physician, but he mentioned it in a way that made me think he was a gerontologist! ("Oh, I help elderly people for the most part"— because most of his patients then were elderly.)

Sorry about length. Please don't feel a need to reply to that. I was just getting it out of the way. I have more pressing things to deal with, really. And I want to be as supportive as I can for others here.

Thank you for being part of a great community! —Phoebe
Welcome to the forum, Phoebe
 
Hi Phoebe and welcome to the forum ( yes I know it’s been a wee while but I missed you joining)
I get what you say. My husband is a (now retired) psychiatric nurse and I expected better understanding when I was diagnosed with CPTSD. But I quickly learned to separate spouse from therapist. Husband is there with me in husband capacity and should not be expected to be my therapist. But, I got another therapist and made it clear I would not discuss therapy with husband.
For us it worked well. I am now discharged from therapy, but still happily married.
I hope you manage to find the same separation as both aspects are needed in your life. I guess it boils down to healthy boundaries.
 
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