Understanding The Difference Between Dissaociation And Being An Introvert

[Never Give Up]

I am a supporter of a wife who denies she has ptsd, nor wants to get help. She feels that she is more of an introvert now.

I am really looking for a comparison and a breakdown between them both.
Any help will be appreciated.

Example: my wife will not talk to me, locks her door when she sleeps, anger issues, will not make a decision, controlling issues, avoids others now, sleepless nights, nightmares.

 

[Never Give Up]

I need to fix my spelling error in the title

 

[I'll make tea]

I think what you describe is more than just introversion.

Did she suffer a traumatic experience?

 

[Never Give Up]

I'll make tea Member New I think what you describe is more than just introversion. Did she suffer a traumatic experience?

Yes, in the past year of 2013, my wife had to deal with breast cancer at the age of 40. We also had 3 deaths on her side of the family including her father who she was close to. She was not able to mourn while going through chemo and radiation therapy until she finished. Add menopause into the mix.

 

[I'll make tea]

... and she did not have this issues before?

 

[Echo]

Has your wife been diagnosed with PTSD or do you just think that is the issue?

 

[Never Give Up]

She has not been diagnosed and she will not seek a diagnosis. I had tried to gently offer help...but that seems to trigger anger and then she "shuts me out" and just exists in her own world. It has been happening for the past 5 months.

 

[Echo]

@Never Give Up - maybe the problems lie elsewhere. You are not describing dissociation or an introverted personality, as I understand those terms. She may very well be very upset up about the changes in her body following cancer treatment, and I can quite understand that it could entirely rock one's sense of one's self as a woman, particularly combined with an enforced early menopause. Maybe her response has more to do with things that are wrong in your relationship. It is just not possible for any of us to say. I am just wondering why you have decided it is PTSD. You may find a great deal more information on forums relating to post-cancer changes and relationships, rather than here. Perhaps try reading up on that, but do also educate yourself about dissociation.

Apologies, if she does suffer from those things, but it doesn't come across in the brief mention you make of it here. That said, only professionals can diagnose.

 

[Never Give Up]

A few months ago there was the sleepless nights, nightmare, hypervigilance, mood swings, the constant blaming of the past, dissociation, trauma of the cancer, low-self esteem, always sensing a threat, sitting in the corner back to the wall, lack of memory about actual events things like this that have been happening. She wanted a divorce, I was served papers...then she changed her mind and does not know what she wants. There is also a huge control issue that has been happening lately. I hope a few of these scenarios help.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Dissociation is not being fully in the present moment. Just think of your own dissociation when you're in a car and can't remember the last few exits that flew by while in a long trip. (I mention this as it's a part of normal, everyday dissociation that many people experience.) None of what you describe, other than "dissociation" is actually dissociation.

I think that our advice here is limited as we don't know if we're even advising you correctly as it's not clear that she has PTSD. Just as self diagnosis can be dangerous, so can diagnosing another (or assuming that's what they've got after matching up symptoms found online). It could even be traumatic grief---similar presentation, different healing.

I hope you can take the time to research the symptoms of PTSD as I think that will really help you understand what each symptom involves.

 

[Meadowsweet]

Many many mental illnesses overlap their symptoms. Given that your wife is still going through a grieving process after the loss of her father, and that the loss came at a time when she was ill herself, I think it would be an awful big assumption to make that it is PTSD.

There's nothing to suggest that she is dissociating. Perhaps she is locking her feelings in (if that's what you mean by introverted)

I think it would be good for you to speak to your doctor to get advise on this. Obviously, he can't diagnose or help her unless she asks, but he may be able to point you in the direction of someone who knows how you could handle someone who is in this state of grief.

There is also a site on this network called 'my traumatic stress', that has people there who have lost loved ones and faced illnesses and struggled to adjust. It may be that that would be more helpful in seeking information and advice for you and your wife.

 

[Never Give Up]

Thank You for the website suggestion and the traumatic grief. I will see if I can speak with a counselor who has experience in PTSD. They might be able to help me overcome some of the issues I have been having to deal with. I hope it is not ptsd.