• We are a multilingual website again. Read the notice about this.
  • Understand AI use at MyPTSD: all AI use is explained in our AI help page. AI use is by choice here. It exists if you want it, but does nothing unless you choose to use it.

Relationship New To Ptsd

Status
Not open for further replies.
So, I just started a guy with PTSD, when we first started talking and dating he was the sweetest guy I had ever met. The longer we were talking stuff started coming out. How he had PTSD, anxiety, and depression. How he tried killing himself more than once. At first, I thought I could handle it. But the more comfortable we get around each other it seems him PTSD gets worse. Like he's not scared to show it. I try just telling my self it is not his fault, or even mine. I'm always learning to give him space, and in a few hours he will be ok and we can talk about it. But I feel like everything I do is wrong, it is starting to push me away..

We are about to move into our own place with one of my friends. She DOES NOT understand everything. She will say things like "Why do you put up with that", or stuff.

So, how do you deal? And what are some tips for me.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
First, you should read all of anthony's articles in the articles section of this forum. They are in the members section, or posted by members. He explains what PTSD is, what to expect, and so on. See if you can hack all this, before moving in with him. Also, realize that your roommate is not in love with him, not comfortable with him like you are a lot of the time, and may not put up with him. So it would be best not to place the 2 of them in the same living quarters as you and he are in.
 
His doctor gave me a paper trying to explain, saying things like "I cant help", " My love won't do anything" is that true?
I would follow their suggestions on what to say as they would know the issues he is working on. Sounds like based on what the doctor says and on his lack of hesitation in sharing his struggle with you, that he is hoping that your love will fix his PTSD. That is a hefty role he is placing you in, and I think his doc is wise to suggest you hold good boundaries against that.

It would make sense that as you get closer to him, and the more vulnerable he is, and the more PTSD symptoms he will have. Closeness itself can be a trigger in PTSD. It also would make sense that it maybe he is not having more PTSD symptoms, but you are seeing more of it as his walls come down. It could also be both things!

Living together is a very big step. There is a strong chance his PTSD symptoms will get worse, you will have to deal with more of it. Moving in with someone else who doesn't understand PTSD and already thinks you are putting up with too much will likely lead to friction - either between you and her, or you and him, or him and her - very likely between all of you. It brings up some pretty big red flags for me. It sounds like you might be a little bit concerned too? I am really glad you are reaching out here. Can you hold off on moving in together? This might not be the best living situation for the three of you.

How is he pushing you away? He is shutting down and ignoring you? Is he getting angry at you?

His PTSD symptoms are not his fault, nor yours, but it is his responsibility to manage them.
 
Be careful moving in. My boyfriend and I moved in after 2 years (he has PTSD) and it did not go well. It is very difficult
 
As someone outside the situation, I can't say anything for certain and you have to be the judge in the end yourself. However, you need to be sure beforehand that you're willing and able to handle living with a significant other that has PTSD.

I would definitely suggest reading on the subject to get an idea of what you'll be expecting, while keeping in mind that different sufferers tend to have their own brand of suffering to endure. Try and recognize what reactions he has and let them know he's having them, sit down and have a talk once he's calmed down about possible solutions both temporary and permanent. I suggest you do everything in your power to get this talk out of the way before you move in together, so when things get complicated (and sometimes things WILL get complicated) you'll have an idea of what you can do to handle the issues that arise. Communication is the key to any healthy relationship with or without mental illness, but if he seems uncomfortable with the conversation let him go and try again later. However, don't let him go forever. At some point you do need to talk about this, and the sooner the better for your relationship and for everybody's happiness.

Also, as JustMeHere said, it is your significant other's responsibility to manage his symptoms to the best of his ability, and if you make this commitment it will be yours to help him recognize what he's doing and how to curb it. While you should not blame him for having the symptoms, you must not let that be a blank check to get away with whatever he wants. Let him know what your boundaries are, and what you can and can't deal with ahead of time so if something happens and he breaks those boundaries he'll know to expect you being upset as opposed to expecting you to be fine with it since he got a green light to continue with every other action he's made. It's important that you expect the same things you would in any other relationship for a sense of stability without making him feel attacked for being a sufferer. You need to be honest and assertive of your feelings without being aggressive or hurtful, just like in any other relationship.

What your friend said does concern me. "Why do you put up with that?" is not usually a question asked when everything is okay, and says to me that either something is unhealthy in this relationship that you do not realize OR she perceives it as unhealthy due to not realizing that your significant other is suffering from PTSD. Both are issues that need to be tackled, and you're the only one who can decide which is correct. If I were in your position I would definitely make sure me and my significant other sit my friend down and let her know what she's about to deal with. After all, if you're all going to be living in the same place she deserves to know what to expect when you two are living there.

And while I want to say you shouldn't move in together early in the relationship, I would be a hypocrite if I told you not to. My fiance and I have been together for four years, and we moved in together after only 2 1/2 months of dating. So hey, if you think it's right feel free, just remember that any relationship takes effort from both parties to improve themselves.
 
Don't rush it!!! Take your time and make sure! Realize you can't fix him and take care of yourself. All spot on advise that I didn't always follow and really should have.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Donation drives

2026 Donation Goal

Goal
$1,800.00
Earned
$910.00
This donation drive ends in
0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds
  50.6%

Trending content

Featured content

Back
Top Bottom