My Marine Boyfriends Ptsd Acting Up

[marine-girlfriend]

Hi.... I don't know where to go or what else to do.

My boyfriend did 6 active years in the USMC, 2 tours in Iraq, 1 year active reserves, and now he is in his inactive reserves year. He was a federal police officer with DOD he got laud of due to budget cuts and he had less seniority than the other guys. He wanted to become a state trooper but now he claims he doesn't know what he wants to do. He has stated that his ptsd is acting up. I've been researching the symptoms but he is not distancing himself, nor is he showing any of the symptoms that I have been seeing. He is starting arguments over very small things, he never did before. We got into an argument I left to go to the grocery store to give him space, he followed me in his car it was raining he positioned his car to were his high beams were blinding me I had my 6 year old daughter in the car. For Christmas I bought him a tactical knife, I was on the phone with a friend just catching up he took out the knife started playing with it. He has never acted like this before....I don't know what to do to help him he refuses to go to the VA. He doesn't want to talk to a therapist or anyone else. He says he is fine, I know he it's not. I don't know how to help him with out getting him upset. Everything I suggest gets him mad. I know I will never understand what he went through our what he is going through but that didn't mean that I don't want to help him. I don't want to leave but I have to think about my daughter, she thinks the world of him, she says he is her hero. Please help

 

[keifer]

He has to want help. I don't trust the VA either. In the US, there are veteran centers which are not part of the VA. They are free for combat veterans. Your boyfriend would qualify. Just an option for him to think about.

 

[Keith'sGirl]

This is not an easy road. Just because he is not showing the signs of "typical vet PTSD" it will more than likely show up later. I would keep your distance, but offer help. My vet always believes "I am fine" even when I know that he is not. I would write him a letter explaining how you feel. Please be careful with the words that you say. You do not want to blame this on him because it is not his fault. He paid a price to be a combat vet. Support him and love him in every way that you can. You will all be in my prayers. :)