A very devoted partner would like some advice from suffers as to how he can help her through her pain. Send him your ideas/thoughts/experiences in our comment section, please. Hello, My incredible girlfriend suffers from non combat Complex PTSD. I thought, Hey, I am a smart caring man who has seen therapists for myself on a regular basis over the years for depression and acute anxiety/panic. I am fairly enlightened and caring and thought my own experiences would help me I thought I could deal with her PTSD through my good sense of intuition and love and smarts. Boy was I wrong. And, I feel as though I have let her down. I have been looking for support groups for those of us who are intimately involved with a loved one who suffers from this incredibly complex and life altering disorder. But what I have found is mostly focused on Vets and their families. I understand that there is overlap and that PTSD whether in Vets or non Vets is PTSD. Lives are altered. The brain is altered. While this page seems to be focused on the people suffering from PTSD, I thought perhaps someone had some links or ideas for the caregivers. It seems to me that my biggest problem is recognizing when she gets triggered..... as she puts on her armor, or as she calls it soldiers up to get through her life and keep her job and care for her ill daughter and be in a relationship with me. And that is what I read and act on...the Armor.. not understanding that barely under the surface she is deep in her disorder. I have asked her to make a list of what triggers her, and to use a specific word or touch to let me know when her triggering is happening...that way I can learn her body language to recognize the beginnings. I also realize that sometimes the trigger is unknown, and that sometimes she is in it before she even knows it is happening. She has just begun serious therapy. So I am reading .....but words on paper for some of us just do not cut it or sink in. I need to talk to people. I now understand her telling me that knowledge is paramount. I am speaking to my therapist.....but want to do more and I cant afford more therapy time. So, I am reaching out for information and connection.... Thank you, and my best hope for all, Michael
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 07:05:25 +0000