New To Bf W/ Ptsd..advice Please

[starlet]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Starlet and my bf served in Iraq. He returned a year ago and we started dating a little over a month ago. Last night he started opening up about having ptsd and needing his medications because he started shaking and seemed very jittery. He couldn't stand to have his back toward the door. He also made me sleep against the wall to 'protect' me. On occassions he gets somewhat angry quickly and I just let it slip through to not make it worse. I started researching ptsd to learn more about it. I want to be supportive and understanding, and at the same time I want to feel safe around him. He smokes a lot and picked up drinking even more. He showed me pictures of when he returned home and looked very in-shape, but now the beer-belly is there. I'm just worried and would like any tips with helping him or ways to be supportive without nagging. Our relationship is barely beginning and I want it to start strong, as well as healthy.

Thank you :)

 

[MurphyJB]

Hi Starlet.
Welcome.
My fiancé is also an OEF/OIF veteran.
Be careful with his drinking...set limitations and boundaries. Make sure he knows what is acceptable and unacceptable.
Is he seeing a therapist at all?
Read around in the supporters section. There is a lot of good info. :)

 

[revelry]

Starlet,
Read up on ptsd, as much as you can. (I believe my BF has it as well---too many deployments in special forces, but he wont get help) He has snapped at me for no reason, accused me of things and is now isolating. I made a bunch of mistakes early on, because i didn't know enough anout PTSD, and couldn't understand why at times he was being a jerk. I wish i would have had more information early on. You need to be prepared, this isn't going to be easy.