Nicolettte, I couldn't have said it better myself....I totally agree !
Aunt flo, i don't know how new you are to PTSD, but will realize it is everending ups and downs and you have to recognize the signs in your boyfriend. Everyone is different and when triggered it gets even worst. What one day was ok, isn't anymore....OMG what am I saying...day ? let's say more from minute to minute. :) The 2 years I was with my exboyfriend, we talked a lot and when he was in his good moods, which were often, he told me what to look for, he told me what he needed from me...and I observed all the time....I wasn't on eggshells, but very observant.
He needed me to tell him "I love you", he needed me to touch him a lot "secuirity for him, he wanted to know I was there" but he also needed space and I gave it to him, whether it was convenient for me or not....PTSD is not something to take lightly...it is a "lifestyle" change, many adustments on your side and if you are not wiling to take this disorder as seriously as it is then I am sorry to say....it is better to move on. I am not being mean or anything like that, I am just saying it as it is.
When my exboyfriend left...badly triggered...he was not the same man I knew..when he contacted me from time to time...he was very contradictory and he even didn't realize it...one day he loved me, the other day he didnt't want me to touch him...etc...I had to respect that BUT there does come a time where we have to say to ourselves "is this what I want in a relationship???" "is it his PTSD that is keeping him away, or something else ?"
You say: " I feel as tho ive blown it, but his friend said if i had, he would have told me there and then, regardless if it was by text" Not necissarily aunt flo...sometimes they don't even know themselves what they want or how to express themselves, sometimes too stressful!
I wish you luck aunt flo, and I hope you make it with him...remember we always make mistakes, while we are learning...nothing makes me happier then hearing of a couple make it...even with this dreaded PTSD :)