General Still Has Denial At Times.

[IvyMillie]

My husband with PTSD still has moments where he is in denial. This blows my mind. He has gone to therapy for it, and knows something is wrong with im. I tell him that he does have PTSD. I guess maybe he is afraid to admit it at times. He has all of the symptoms. I wonder why he has this denial sometimes.

Does your sufferer have the same pattern?

 

[amethist]

Sure does Ivy, all the time.

My husband cannot fully except that he cannot do what he used to do. Been to therapy, takes the medication, has the flashbacks and nightmares, but on really good days, can't understand why he is so different to what he was 4 years ago.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I think PTSD is a 'loss', as in death, because the old life is gone, and we have find a way to move forward. It takes a LONG time to adjust to the new reality, especially because it was forced upon us. It can take years for it to 'sink in'.

I'm in denial that I can't hold a baby more than 10 pounds but...until I see one...and miss it with my whole heart! I still get a glimpse of the 'old' me...and the sorrow bubbles up, and the self-worth goes down. Why aren't we stronger...?? We ask our selves that every day! Denial is more comfortable, requires no effort, and it involves admitting we need help.

Best of luck in your journey with your husband! Take care of you!

 

[Toria]

Hello IvyMillie - yes I have the same problem. I think partly it's a coping mechanism for Husband - if he denies it then it isn't really happening (and I bet a lot of us could think of a time we've done the same thing!!!) and he can ignore it and it will go away - except it doesn't happen like that in real life. I think this could be one time where it is harder for the carer than for the sufferer because the behaviour is then without a cause - does that make sense? My Husband shouts at me and rants and raves about things - but it isn't the PTSD because it doesn't affect him - ergo it must be his personality that is coming through. That's probably just confused things even more!!! What I'm trying to say is that my Husband tries to deny that it affects him day to day, but I know that the man I live with is not the man I married and that the changes came about after the PTSD... so either the PTSD is affecting him or the timing is a coincidence and he is just an %$@* :p