sounds like you've been feeling this for awhile.aside from friends here, what would help you feel good? i tend to be a good listener, i know talking helped me thru times like this.((((hugs))))

Its never to late to start over, I know I have been there, No one deserves to be put doen he is no better than you. Just remev=ber that

...maybe you should try talking to him about it.

Yes I have had similar experience. Not as long as your experience because I got out of the relationship. It is called narcissism and the whole of it is based on power over and control thought the illusion of being superior which is why he talks to you the way he does. This belittle you and keeps him in the throws of being superior to you.

Check out "Web Of Narcissism " web site and board. You will most likely find tons of information that will match up with your experience with such a person.

Verbal abuse is unhealthy.

((((gimmestre))))) I know many women who have PTSD from this sort of relationship. For me ...when i was in the relationship , the PTSD escalated and I found a therapist. That is when I found out I had PTSD. I had it before but as I said it really peaked with the relationship.

This surely doesn't help your PTSD. You need 'put-ups' NOT 'put-downs.'

I would try talking to him that you do not appreciate him talking to you like that. But, you may not get anywhere with that, depending on his personality.

I agree with Pageo...read up on that info she wrote about.

You need positive support to help you heal through your PTSD, not put-downs.

This is an area where you may need to set boundaries, and stick to them, that you will not tolerate him talking/treating you like that.

Let us know how things go!

I agree (as usual, lol) with Daisy. You need "put ups." I like that phrase, mind if I steal it, Daisy? :-)

I'd like to offer two possibilities - take them if they may fit, or leave them if they don't.

Do you think he may be trying to show you how things "can be?" I am guilty of reminding my husband sometimes of how I was raised, knowing he didn't have it so easy. My intention is not to put him down, but to suggest to him how we can make our current lives better, based on my previous experiences, which I know he never had the opportunity to experience in his past.
(Hey, I could be wrong - He could just be a plain jackass... but I thought I'd throw that out there.)

Second, does he understand PTSD? If you've been diagnosed, but he doesn't understand what you're going through, his insensitivity might be caused by ignorance. If you think that might be the case, you could print for him the article "Partners With PTSD" (another thing I got from Daisy, lol) at this page:
http://www.sandf.org/articles/PTSD.asp

That helped my hubby understand why I act like I do sometimes, and also what he can do to help (instead of hurting).

If you're in counseling, perhaps he could join you for some couples' therapy?

Of course, if all else fails (and I say it that way because if you've been together 32 years you must see something good in him) you can certainly break it off. There really are still some good men out there.

Hugs,
Wistala