Hello Ms Blue. Welcome to the forum.

A single, lone therapist was/is not anywhere near enough for my own healing journey. It takes a village to heal. It takes a village to lead a healthy life. Supplementing pro therapy with workshops and peer support makes for a much healthier village. This very forum is one of the doors in my healing village. I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.

Loved ones make notoriously lousy therapists or even peer supporters, even when they are qualified and licensed to therapute John Q Public. That love bond makes them verily incapable of the objectivity required to sort psycho snot knots. Personally, I hope my husband never does get ^it^. I wouldn't wish the inside perspective of PTSD on my worst enemy, much less a loved one.

Hi! Welcome.

Oh yeah... Support from outside is best sought from more than one therapist. I have a thearpist, a psychiatrist, PTSD forum here on Daily Strength, friends, and my husband *and* myself. (And, pre-pandemic, an in-person group therapy!)

I've been with my hubby for 30 years, and I am glad every day he can't "get it". It means someone didn't feel like this, and that gives me hope. People do grow up without this. People do live without this. Not me, but it's not hopeless for the whole species.

That said, he never dismisses me with "stop focusing on that". He leanred early in my therapy journey that he's riding along, so he went to sessions with me, and read up, b/c he wanted to be helpful. it was a journey for him, too.

Meanwhile, we're here. Healing hopes to you.

Welcome Ms Blue.
I have realized trauma is hard to undo. Not everyone understands and it is sad. I have to come to realize that and decided to work on my overall health regardless of what people thinks. Everyone has an opinion but got to do what Best for self in all areas which is not easy to do but I aim for it. At the end of the day I alone is going to stand before God and answer for my life. I can not do it for others nor can others do it for me. Keep propelling forward Ms. Blue do not give it.

Hi Miss Blue,

When one of my sisters was diagnosed with anxiety, my other sisters were thinking that it’s not real. It hurts her that she does not have the emotional support from them.

She refused treatments and it was hard for me to see her struggling. I sent her messages almost everyday just to let her know that she’s not alone. I also encouraged her to join a life group and do things she would enjoy. She is involved in a life group for almost a year now. She has pets and enjoys gardening. She also volunteers in our community. I’m glad to see her mood has been improving,

It’s sad that not everyone understands. Feel free to share anytime, we are here for you. I hope you will find comfort here. Praying for you. God bless.

It's hard to find a partner who gets it, msblue09. What we've gone through can't really be related to second hand very well. You had to have been there to really get what those of us who've been around death and mayhem are on about. That's why I'm like arfie says, someone who has a therapist plus a support group on top of friends and partners.

Welcome to the board msblue..... I am so sorry to read what you've been through...

I agree that you may need more help than a therapist and a psychiatrist might be a big help as well... If you need some medication a psych can evaluate that

I'm sorry that your boyfriend is saying hurtful things... He doesn't 'get' the disorder from what I'm reading or wants to 'speed up the process which he can't do

This is a good board with some great people onboard.... I'm glad that you've found us.... Big hug....xo

Msblue, like others mention, unless your boyfriend has experienced trauma it will be hard for him to understand. Therapists, support groups and forums with those who have experienced trauma are the best support. There are groups like seeking safety that are helpful to understand the effects of trauma and to learn some coping strategies. My husband does not understand either even after talking with my therapist, but it did help him realize that I needed support.