Hello,
I am writing on this forum to try to learn more about PTSD. I can read information on the internet until I am blue in the face, but I wanted to post here so I could get some sort of feed back and/or encouraging words from others who are familiar with PTSD.
Here’s part of the story
I am the wife of a man whom I believe has PTSD (from multiple childhood traumas). Although, he has never had an initial diagnosis, I believe it’s because he is absolutely against the idea of seeking any type of help (from friends, family or professionally) because, according to him that makes him look “weak” and he doesn’t want to “burden” others with “his problems”. He has the nightmares, flashbacks, depression, anxiety, anger, using alcohol excessively and now he is completely shutting down emotionally. In fact, he told me he doesn’t even want me around anymore and that I would be “better off without him anyways” He says that he has shut down.
Overall I feel that our relationship is good (we have been working through problems, but I thought successfully). He feels that earlier in our relationship he gave it his all, opened up, let himself be vulnerable, and regrets it (even seems to resent it) because he feels in his mind that he does not fulfill me! He says that I used to give him the vibe of rejection! I do not feel this way, I love this man whole heartedly and would/will do anything for him and cannot imagine why he ever felt rejection from me! I just don’t know what to do… I want to fight to save this relationship because I love him to pieces, but he just seems like he’s completely giving up, and does not want to… Do I back off? I don’t want to be pushy for fear of upsetting him but I can’t just sit back and let him give up on everything!
I am writing on this forum to try to learn more about PTSD. I can read information on the internet until I am blue in the face, but I wanted to post here so I could get some sort of feed back and/or encouraging words from others who are familiar with PTSD.
Here’s part of the story
I am the wife of a man whom I believe has PTSD (from multiple childhood traumas). Although, he has never had an initial diagnosis, I believe it’s because he is absolutely against the idea of seeking any type of help (from friends, family or professionally) because, according to him that makes him look “weak” and he doesn’t want to “burden” others with “his problems”. He has the nightmares, flashbacks, depression, anxiety, anger, using alcohol excessively and now he is completely shutting down emotionally. In fact, he told me he doesn’t even want me around anymore and that I would be “better off without him anyways” He says that he has shut down.
Overall I feel that our relationship is good (we have been working through problems, but I thought successfully). He feels that earlier in our relationship he gave it his all, opened up, let himself be vulnerable, and regrets it (even seems to resent it) because he feels in his mind that he does not fulfill me! He says that I used to give him the vibe of rejection! I do not feel this way, I love this man whole heartedly and would/will do anything for him and cannot imagine why he ever felt rejection from me! I just don’t know what to do… I want to fight to save this relationship because I love him to pieces, but he just seems like he’s completely giving up, and does not want to… Do I back off? I don’t want to be pushy for fear of upsetting him but I can’t just sit back and let him give up on everything!