Just my experience as sufferer, but once Ptsd threatens to damage or destroy a part, or parts, of a sufferer or someone they love, then the sufferer may crave or seek isolation not out of want, but rather out of insight and need.
Though this is often misunderstood and trust suffers, from my experience it is nothing more then need, survival and needed opportunity.
Not to get corny on you Angus, .....but don't know how else to express this, so perhaps corny it is. .........As a caterpillar creates a cocoon for it’s later development as a butterfly, IMO, so must a sufferer sometimes create its cocoon for his or her later unique and desirable development.
Often though this process creates misunderstanding, invites hurt feelings and may even get fouled up. The chances of such misunderstandings occurring, or increasing, ......though naturally cannot be controlled, ...can be improved and influenced through holding a great deal of trust and faith in her strength.
Though it feels personal, it’s more likely not personal at all; From my experience, this desire and need for the sufferer can become just as basic and necessary a need, as food and water is to us all.
The best thing I ever received from anyone while in this phase of redevelopment, is the witness and knowledge of another‘s honest faith, trust and belief in me as gonna make it through successfully. Mine didn’t come from personal relationship, but still it was received very well by me and I set out to prove this person correct while beginning to see through his eyes, what he saw in me. And, as I came into a better understanding that another person in this world had acceptance, belief and faith in me, this kind of gave me some spiritual reasons and permissions again to believe in myself.
The worst things I’ve ever received while experiencing such need for isolation was additional baggage layed on me .....and became added reasons to feel shameful, riddled with guilts, self-blame, greater fear, deeper rejections, and self-loathing and doubt.
What has helped me best is simple trust in my ability to overcome and return all the better and nourished.
IMO, there is no better timing for communication and strength from God, then when frightened and alone with self and God, and able to fully recognize such desire and need for this #1 personal and sustaining relationship.
....pushing Post Reply as this for whatever crazy reason is very hard for me to actually post.:eek: