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Relationship I Finally Get It.

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sisu

Platinum Member
This is a rant that must come out of my head.

For 3 years I have been in a relationship with someone who suffers from combat-PTSD. I caught him in a few lies over the years - stupid lies. Lying about going for a takeout meal instead of cooking at home - truly stupid sh*t that doesn't even matter. Then there were a few bigger lies which I more recently learned about. For example, I learned that he does drink several beers every day - he had originally told me he did not drink every day or maybe had one beer every few days. And even bigger lies - he has been on 4 dating websites the entire time we were together. Now he was not active on these sites - but why didn't he remove his profile? About a year ago he began activity on one of the sites - I just found out. He did not go on any dates, but spoke to these random women for an ego boost and because it felt good to have the attention. Uh, why wasn't a relationship with a supportive, loving and kind girlfriend enough?

He lives in denial. He thinks that this is all the better he can be and will not consider additional counseling. He broke up with me over the phone - after 3 years of a loving relationship. Now I am questioning all of it. I gave him some slack because of his diagnosis. I felt bad because he got his PTSD from serving our country. BUT, I don't think he deserved any of it. Our relationship always had a foundation of lies and I never knew it. He is a shopaholic - spends every dime within a week of getting paid and then has no money for the rest of the month. He is an alcoholic - drinks many beers each day while on muliple types of medication that do not interact well with alcohol. He is a chronic liar - he lies about almost anything, little or big it makes no difference. He can look you right in the eye and you never know he is lying.

This is not a man I need to be involved in. This man needs help. Unfortunately he does not want or think he needs help. He has more problems then PTSD. This man has major personality flaws. And the really sad thing is this ~ he has children who see how their father behaves and they now think this is "normal".

I am done. I am done being disrespected. I am done being taken for granted. I am done with all of it. He is a liar, a cheater and all kinds of other bad things rolled into one.

It seems as I read through the supporter relationship section that I see so many relationships also imploding due to the PTSD sufferer doing similar things as mine did. Is there any hope for any of these relationships? I just don't know.

Why do these kind women/men get involved with sufferers, fall in love, are willing to work through obstacles and yet the sufferer pushes them away for no real reason. I don't get it. I don't think I ever will.

He will still talk to me - but I am feeling more like an option than anything. That is not okay with me, so I am removing myself from that status. I will never be someones "option".

Rant over.
 
Wow, I am SO sorry you had to deal with that. PTSD doesn't make you a liar and sufferers should not use that as an excuse for a personality flaw. That is really unfair not just to you but to anyone who is involved in PTSD.

Through my healing and journey with PTSD I have found that some people are truly willing to work on themselves and others are not. PTSD is the sufferers responsibility to get help and take care of themselves. You can't make someone get help if they don't want it. I believe it depends on your personality too.

I am just shocked by this story and it upsets me that a supporter has to deal with this. Not only is that great of you and kind, but you should not be taking advantage of that at all. NEVER. That is not okay at all.

I include my fiancée in my journey. I do not and will not blame him or make him take on the responsibility of my past issues that has nothing to do with him at all, that isn't fair and I am not bringing him down with symptoms. I communicate clearly with him, I tell him what I need, what I don't need, what helps me, and what hurts me. He is extremely understanding. I don't lie to him. PTSD or not you cannot build a healthy foundation to a relationship with lies, big or small they are still hurtful. The small lies are the worst because their is no point!!

I dislike liars. I am sure it deals with my life experiences and PTSD.

I think you need to take care of yourself and screw all that bulls***. It is just as important for a supporter to get support as it is to a sufferer. And it seems like he has put you through a lot. Make yourself your number one priority.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hugs.
 
Thank you ashdawn. Really truly from the bottom of my heart. Your response to my rant was exactly what I needed to hear.

I feel so violated and raw with emotion. I went into this relationship with an open heart and I continued that way until it blew up in my face. I have been on here learning for over 3 years, reading books, trying to be supportive in a smart way. But he took advantage of my kindness and love.

I wish you well on your journey and my thoughts and prayers will be with you as well.
 
Yes he did and you deserve to be with someone who does not take advantage of your caring nature and personality. I know it is hard but take care of yourself. Thank you for supporting sufferers. It means a lot to me. So take that as you will. I am sure a lot of other sufferers appreciate it as well.

Thank you for your kind words as well.
 
Likewise @Keepingthefaith5 - this post hit a nerve with me. In fact, it made my chest tighten up with anxiety.

In the early days of my relationship I caught my guy out in a couple of stupid, inconsequential lies, and he has had a number of dating profiles up in the past, which he is probably (hopefully) not still using. I found another one the other day, that looked really old but there's no Last Login Date, so I can't be 100% sure. This plays on my anxiety no end and makes me question whether he is ready for a relationship. He seems to have gotten a lot better in recent months (as in, showing more commitment to the relationship, as well as being more honest with me), and I can see that he is actively working on his issues, but I'm still feeling nervous.

I can understand the strange little lies - I do this sometimes too, without really having any good reason to lie, and afterwards I wonder why I bothered to lie - I don't have an answer for that. It doesn't bother me too much that he does it though.

I am resolved to have a conversation with my guy about the dating profile thing before this relationship progresses any further (ie. before we move in together). I want to make it crystal clear to him that I believe that actively using dating websites is CHEATING. No two ways about it. And it will be an instant dealbreaker. I think it's more likely that he's not doing any of that stuff any more, but the part of me that is still hanging on to the hurts of the past is scared and doesn't want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

@sisu, I would be interested to know how things panned out with you and your guy. I hope you are doing well.
 
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@Wastinglight

Yeah our stories are similar and know that you are not alone. If you ever need anything, PM message me:-) I know sometimes you go throw the doubt period, followed by bliss. It's quite confusing. Should you stay or give up? That's the question I'm currently struggling with. Definitely set your boundaries and assess what your needs and wants are. Can he meet your needs? If so, great! If not, are you ok with him not meeting your needs. You don't know what the future might hold, but definetly take care of yourself and your health. I was letting myself go, before I got a wake up call. Hugs xo
 
Thanks @Keepingthefaith5 and same goes for you. My own anxiety disorder makes life even more interesting (read: harder) and how I feel about my relationship at any given moment usually depends on how anxious I am. But I am slowly learning how to set and enforce boundaries and I am now certain that I am prepared to walk away if he crosses them. To-date my guy hasn't actually committed any hanging offences - so far so good. Hope all is well with you.
 
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