blue_eyed_angel
Gold Member
Hello Everyone!! I am new to the forum and just wanted to share my story. I just feel that I need to tell it. I found this forum while I was doing research on PTSD. Approximately 2 months ago I became a carer for an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. I am 22 years old and he is 36 years old. I was introduced to him through a family member of mine. We decided to go out to dinner and have been together ever since. He was very honest and straight forward with me when we first met and let me know that he does suffer from PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression. Which at first made me a little nervous. Only because I wasn't quite sure what exactly PTSD or what to expect. He did tell me that he does have "anniversary dates" during the year and during that time it gets really hard for him. I understand that being a carer is a choice! And I have chosen to be one. In the last 2 months I have seen some changes in him. Nothing that would make me run for the hills or anything. Just small things I guess you could say. He was married for quite some time and was seperated and divorce finalized recently. He is an extremely kind person with a huge heart and would do absolutely anything for anyone. I have learned along the way that there are just little adjustments that you have to make. As in if he is sleeping you don't get in his face to wake him up because it startles him. He does have an issue with being in large crowds as that makes his anxiety kick in. He receives treatment for his issues. He does see a therapist once a week. Now don't take me wrong there are days to where you just have to walk away from certain situations! The least little things can aggrivate a sufferer. I have learned that PATIENCE is a virtue!! And I know that just because he suffers from this I can't let it effect me. I have to stay strong both mentally and physically. There are days that he doesn't even talk to me. And I know that I can't take that personally or get mad. Because under normal circumstances he wouldn't be like that with me. I know that is part of PTSD. He does have a little bit of concern with our 14 year age difference. But I think that stems from he doesn't want to feel like a burden to me or that I am wasting my life by being with him. He wants me to do whatever it is I want with my life. And I am. I am going to start college in the fall to become a psychologist ironically enough. He hasn't had a good "track record" with women. His last relationship only lasted I think 6 months. She basically used him for his money. And he sometimes feels like he doesn't deserve to be loved. Which everyone deserves to be loved. And he has also made me promise to let him know if there ever comes a point where I don't think that I can handle our relationship anymore. And I did make that promise to him. I even told him that even if things didn't work out between us relationship wise then I would still want us to be friends. Because I have grown to really care for him. There are just days that I have to get up and just go take a walk to be by myself because things are so stressful sometimes.
That's all for now. If I think of anything else I will add to it later. :smile:
That's all for now. If I think of anything else I will add to it later. :smile:
