General Is Dealing With A Sufferer Sending You Bonkers? It Might Be

[AS1975]

There are quite a number of refereed journal articles available which are beginning to show a fairly serious link between the trauma experienced by a person and consequent effects on their spouse (Davidson, Berah & Moss 2006; Franciskovic, et al, 2007; Henry, et al, 2011; Klaric, et al, 2012; Melvin, et al, 2012; Monson, Fredman & Adair, 2009; Monson, Taft & Fredman, 2008; Nelson-Goff & Smith, 2005; Taft, et al, 2011). The bulk of the research has been conducted with Military-related PTSD, quite probably as this is where the largest pool of prospective sufferers (and supporters) can be found in one place.

The results are quite interesting, I'd like some input into a discussion on this - the potential for actual harm, mimicry of symptoms, increases in depression, suicide and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), even full-blown PTSD symptoms are alarming. Have a read and a think please. There is also some potential for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT: Mackinson & Young, 2012) and Conjoint-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (for couples - Monson, Fredman & Adair, 2008; Monson, Taft & Fredman, 2009) to have significant impacts on improving the situation, or at least that is what is reported.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Davidson, AC, Berah, E & Moss, S, 2006 'The Relationship between the Adjustment of Australian Police Officers and Their Partners' Psychiatry, Psychology & Law, vol.13(1), pp.41-48.

Franciškovic, T, Stevanovic, A, Jelušic, I, Roganovic, B, Miro Klaric, M & Grkovic, J, 2007 'Secondary Traumatization of Wives of War Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder' Croat. Med. J., vol.48(2), pp.177-184.

Henry, SB, Smith, DB, Archuleta, KL, Sanders-Hahs, E, Nelson-Goff, BS, Reisbig, AMJ, Schwedtfeger, KL, Boles, A, Hayes, E, Hoheisel, CB, Nye, B, Osby-Williams, J & Scheer, T, 2011 'Trauma and Couples: Mechanisms in Dyadic Functioning' J. Marital & Family Therapy, vol.37(3), pp.319-332.

Klaric, M, Franciskovic, T, Obrdalj, EC, Petric, D, Britvic, D & Zovko, N, 2012 'Psychiatric and Health Impacts of Primary and Secondary Traumatization in Wives of Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder' Psychiatra Danubina, vol.24(3), pp.280-286.

Mackinson, RA & Young, JS, 2012, 'Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Where Counseling and Neuroscience Meet' J. Counseling & Development, vol.90(2), pp.131-140.

Melvin, KC, Gross, D, Hayat, MJ, Jennings, BM & Campbell, JC, 2012 'Couple Functioning and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in US Army Couples: The Role of Resilience' Research in Nursing & Health, vol.35(2), pp.164-177.

Monson, CM, Fredman, SJ & Adair, KC, 2008 'Cognitive-Behavioural Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Application to Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom Veterans' J. Clinical Psychology, vol.64(8), pp.958-971.

Monson, CM, Taft, CT & Fredman, SJ, 2009 'Military-related PTSD and Intimate Relationships: From Description to Theory-driven Research and Intervention Development' Clinical Psychology Review, vol.29(8), pp.707-714.

Nelson-Goff, BS & Smith, DB, 2005 'Systemic Traumatic Stress: The Couple Adaptation to Traumatic Stress Model' J. Marital & Family Therapy, vol.31(2), pp.145-157.

Taft, CT, Watkins, LE, Stafford, J, Street, AE & Monson, CM, 2011 'Postraumatic Stress Disorder and Intimate Relationship Problems: A Meta-analysis' J. Consulting & Clinical Psychology, vol.79(1), pp.22-33.

 

[Bilby]

I haven't read every article (yet) - but what I have read so far is very interesting.

 

[Nicolette]

I totally agree with where you are going.... I think you may even be heading towards secondary PTSD. Here are some links off the top of my head...

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/secondary-ptsd-an-overview.13742/[/DLMURL]

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/ptsd-secondary-wounding.13875/[/DLMURL]

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/ever-heard-of-secondary-ptsd.20586/[/DLMURL]

 

[Bilby]

Thanks for those links, Nicolette.

I have had depression and anxiety for most of my life and have been worrying about the 'new' symptoms that just aren't me ordinarily, depression/anxiety or not - e.g. anger (just to name one).

 

[AS1975]

There are some interesting articles there, it is unfortunate more people haven't read them. In my honest opinion, supporters (especially) need to know what to look out for, what to avoid and whether to seek help themselves. Forewarned is forearmed as it were.

 

[HollyB]

I appreciate the articles, AS. I've been feeling depressed and anxious lately, and having similar feelings about the world (it's all negative, I'm doomed) as my sufferer. It's almost as though his mental state is contagious.

 

[TLight]

This thread makes me concerned about my spouse. I am the sufferer. He seems depressed this entire last year. We've been together 4 years. Sex is pretty much nonexistant and when we do I can't seem to get into it and we have to use lubricants and it hurts (may be because I'm 48 and the meds).....but it's only like once a month. I tolerate and never initiate.

I try to show affection and even joke sometimes........but pretty much I know I'm a lousy partner. I'm there, but NOT. Most of the time I'm dissociated, having a migraine, run down to exhaustion and cranky. Then there's always the rage flare ups. I think he's wearing down.

I'm terrified of being alone, yet....

I yearn to be alone most of the time. Apart from pretty much everyone. Always been my dream. But the thought to trying to make it on my $900 month disability alone terrifies me. Christ, can't even get an apartment for less than $700. How do I eat?

My condition and lack of enthusiasm, excitement for the future, and general mailaise is affecting him, I know.

I honestly don't know why he's with me, other than I'm extremely trustworthy, try my hardest to make things easier for him, and try to not irritate him. Other than that.......I'm not fun to be around. Quiet, can't drive, zoned out, and generally terribly depressed.

 

[Bilby]

I'd suggest it's worth him seeing someone - in fact I think all supporters should really see someone to at least have someone to talk to about how things are in their world.