Relationship How To Help Him Through "the Cloud"?

[Lanes]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and I'm sorry for jumping straight in with a question/ advice, I have been reading the forum and it has helped me a lot so far.

I'm a bit stuck, and I wondered if anyone can help...? It's something I most definitely cannot speak to anyone in real life about so I feel like I'm carrying all this feeling around with me.

I've been with my partner for over 4 years, he has had combat PTSD the entire time I've known him, in fact he has had it for many years (he thinks he developed it aged 18). I get the impression it is all he has known. He entered a treatment programme when we met (off his own back) which has helped lots.

He copes really well on the whole, he doesn't drink much or do drugs, he works very hard and has a lot of pride. However, sometimes he describes "the cloud" which is where his brain goes fuzzy and he can get very aggressive. He says once he was talking to a family member and although the conversation was pleasant, he envisaged headbutting her really violently, which evoked fear, shame, guilt. He also will walk around and not know how he has done it, clenched fists and all. He sometimes will rant for an hour or two about anything and everything.

*chickened out and removed a bit* sorry :(


I don't know how to help. He wants to stop but can't. Is it something that I will just have to accept?

Does anyone have any experience like this? Do you have any advice for me?

Thanks

 

[Sweetpea76]

It sounds like he is using that as a coping mechanism. Does he watch it when you're around?

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Firstly welcome to the forum @Lanes.

I myself have Combat PTSD. Personally I am attending the Warrior Programme therapy through the military and find it to work really well.

I would suggest you make your SO aware of the programme and if wished I can put you in contact with the relevant team for your part of the UK.

If I can be of any help to either your SO or yourself in any way please just ask.

Kindest regards,

Laurie

I also send a :hug: from Devon if accepted.

 

[Lanes]

Thanks for replying!

No it's always when I'm out.
It most definitely is a coping mechanism, which I completely understand, but one he doesn't want to have any more. It's more the fact he cannot stop even though he wants to.

 

[Lanes]

Firstly welcome to the forum @Lanes.

I myself have Combat PTSD. Personally I am a...

Hi, thank you for your welcome :)

He sees a counselor occasionally but when he brought it up, it was swept under the rug, so he gave up, as he can't stand talking about it anyway!

The attitude of the counselor made me think it's a mountain out of a molehill and confused me even more.

Thank you for your help - I will give the Warrior Programme a quick google!

 

[Deleted member 20280]

With warrior he does not in fact have to speak about anything at all.

There are sessions held all over the UK every few months so there will be one close to wherever you and he live. Warrior is also supporter driven and I can pass you onto the supporter coordinator if you wish. There are sessions for veterans and supporters alike.