Supporter Trying To Understand What My Bf Is Going Through, Ptsd After Military

[RiverEDGE]

Hi,
I have been with my boyfriend for going on 3 years now. I met him after he returned home from Iraq and he was on inactive duty from the Marine Corps. He finally started opening up about what he saw and went through about a year ago. He told me he had PTSD from the beginning, but he always seemed to be doing fine until recently. Something has triggered it again. He has been struggling with depression and withdrawing from his friends, family, and me. I've never dealt with this before so I'm looking for any advice on how to help him.

 

[sisu]

Hello RiverEDGE,
Welcome! You have been lucky not to have seen any withdrawl in the 3 years you have been together. I would just tell you to listen to what he says and give him the space he needs to find his center again. It sounds like he has a pretty good handle on his PTSD if he hasn't triggered much in so long. If he gets the space he needs, he should come around much quicker than if you send him a barrage of texts, phone calls or visits. Please take care of yourself - I know how hard this can be.

Come on over to the supporters section - lots of us have been through this before. There are some pretty amazing supporters on this forum and some pretty amazing people with PTSD willing to share their side for better insight.

Sisu

 

[RiverEDGE]

Thank you sisu! I posted a new thread in the supporter relationships forum that tells our story. It's a long one. I'm glad to know there is a place where people understand what it's like to be close to someone with PTSD. I wish I had found this website sooner.

He has been doing very good managing his PTSD, especially without meds or therapy anymore. I mean he's had spells of anger or extremely short fuse, but normally he can snap out of it fairly quickly. I've tried the repeat text messages and calls and I'm not proud of it, but you're right, it doesn't work. That was more me having no idea what he was going through or even what PTSD really was. I've been giving him his space and it seems to be working, but who knows it could change tomorrow. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.