General I Dont Know How To Help Him - Refusing Medication

[Louhitchen]

Hi, my partner had combat PTSD, he was diagnosed a week ago but looking back the signs were there for a while he's been having nightmares and flashbacks so he's hardly sleeping the doctor has put him on sleeping tablets and diazepam, he also become really withdrawn, this I'd where I'm struggling, I don't know how to help him, he's refusing antidessants at the min. A couple of comments on here have been quite helpful is there any advice people can give me on how to help him manage this especially anything I should avoid doing? Thank you ;(

 

[fight4him]

Hello Louhitchen, I think what I have found through all this is that even though the symptoms are much alike, each soldier struggling is an individual and what works for one might not work for another. I can say that one thing that has worked for many soldiers is keeping their world calm and quiet. When my Husband comes home from work, he gets one hour to decompress before he has to deal with home life. Do not hit him with a list of things you need him to do when he steps through the door. Pick one or two of the most important things you want him to get done after he has had his hour. This in itself has really helped.

I will never tell people when not to take Diazapam but I will tell you to tell your hubby to use it sparingly. I had to take it after I started having panic attacks and I took it three times a day like they said and I was a walking zombie. got tired of living that way so came off of it and it was horrible. I started only taking one if I had a bad panic attack but now it has been years since I have had to use it. If your hubby hasn't already joined, have him look at the combat PTSD page. It is one of the best I have found in the 8 years I have been dealing with all this :)

 

[Nicolette]

Hi Louhitchen

I have moved your post into your own thread so it didn't get overlooked :)

 

[Bilby]

Louhitchen, has your partner explained why he is reluctant to try antidepressants? I'm presuming from this that they have been suggested/recommended to him by his doctor?

Becoming withdrawn is very common. My husband does this. He isolates himself and seems to need his own space. I've learnt that if I push during this time, it always backfires. He is better left to his own devices at this point. I appreciate just how hard it is, but there is little that you can do - many sufferers of PTSD need their own space.

I would suggest that he follow his medication regime exactly as his doctor has prescribed it, but if there are things that you notice about his behaviour that don't seem right during this time, it is always important that you make a note of it.

I'm really glad that he is getting some help for himself - this is a crucial step, and one he has to take. There is little you can do for him, as he needs to go through this journey himself. That said, I think that having a look at what you boundaries are regarding certain behaviour/actions is always useful, as is making sure that you have the support that you need for yourself, and have interests/hobbies outside the relationship.

Good luck,

B x