Annie,
Let me give you my take of things as someone who has PTSD. You didn't do anything to make him distant. Emotional flatness is part of the disorder. For me emotional flatness protects me from feeling any more hurt or experiencing anymore fear.
You won't be able to fix him. Just because he doesn't talk to you doesn't mean that he doesn't care. In fact I am willing to bet he loves you very much.
When you have PTSD is hard to discuss with someone that can't relate. I know that sounds cold and is more than likely very frustrating for you, but it a reality. I have talked to friends, family and coworkers about some of my experiences and I either get the "Oh that really didn't happen" look or the "Oh God, then what happened" questions which are really frustrating.
My trauma comes from being in the Military and Law Enforcement and I could tell you about what it's like to have bullets hitting around you, returning fire and knowing that you have taken a life or what I experienced in investigating a fatal car accident that one of my son's friends was in. However, I can't fully explain how I felt, what I experienced and how it's affected me.
I have to agree with Nicky's statement about "listening without judgement". That is a very powerful statement and is one of the most important things to me.
The key is patience especially if he is in therapy. I hope this helps some and if you have any questions feel free to ask me.
Let me give you my take of things as someone who has PTSD. You didn't do anything to make him distant. Emotional flatness is part of the disorder. For me emotional flatness protects me from feeling any more hurt or experiencing anymore fear.
You won't be able to fix him. Just because he doesn't talk to you doesn't mean that he doesn't care. In fact I am willing to bet he loves you very much.
When you have PTSD is hard to discuss with someone that can't relate. I know that sounds cold and is more than likely very frustrating for you, but it a reality. I have talked to friends, family and coworkers about some of my experiences and I either get the "Oh that really didn't happen" look or the "Oh God, then what happened" questions which are really frustrating.
My trauma comes from being in the Military and Law Enforcement and I could tell you about what it's like to have bullets hitting around you, returning fire and knowing that you have taken a life or what I experienced in investigating a fatal car accident that one of my son's friends was in. However, I can't fully explain how I felt, what I experienced and how it's affected me.
I have to agree with Nicky's statement about "listening without judgement". That is a very powerful statement and is one of the most important things to me.
The key is patience especially if he is in therapy. I hope this helps some and if you have any questions feel free to ask me.
