Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
I am married to a wonderful man who has PTSD. It has not been easy but we are taking it one day at a time, or I should say one step at a time. But I do have questions so that I can understand PTSD better and hopefully not the only ones that are going through this.
I was wondering if this behavior is part of PTSD and/or has anyone else experienced this behavior and what is the best way to handle this?
I see things differently than he does but completely different. My husband posted a journal entry called I hate it. He briefly talks about everything in a nutshell that has happened in a short amount of time to us. And I was surprised to see how bad he saw the situation becuase to me I saw it as a positive and a blessing and a step forward. But he sees it as the worst thing that happened. How do I help him with feelings like this becuase when he feels like that he gets depressed and his PTSD is horrible. Is there anything I can do to help him with this? It breaks my heart to have him feel this horrible and I wish he could see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I know that he doesn't feel like there its but I truly believe that there is and I am not going to give up. God Bless, Jody
I was wondering if this behavior is part of PTSD and/or has anyone else experienced this behavior and what is the best way to handle this?
I see things differently than he does but completely different. My husband posted a journal entry called I hate it. He briefly talks about everything in a nutshell that has happened in a short amount of time to us. And I was surprised to see how bad he saw the situation becuase to me I saw it as a positive and a blessing and a step forward. But he sees it as the worst thing that happened. How do I help him with feelings like this becuase when he feels like that he gets depressed and his PTSD is horrible. Is there anything I can do to help him with this? It breaks my heart to have him feel this horrible and I wish he could see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I know that he doesn't feel like there its but I truly believe that there is and I am not going to give up. God Bless, Jody
As far as behavior is concerned yes it is PTSD. We can avoid and be weird over the most trivial of things to the lay person.
Basically trauma is stored in a part of the brain we can not get to consciously. PTSD is an anxiety disorder where the nervous system turns on the fight or flight system full force when we are triggered. Triggered is a term for the situation or issue that sets all this anxiety rolling. We can be hypervigilant which means we specificaly seek out and obssess over our weaknesses.
We also have intrusive thoughts which are scary thoughts connectd to iur trauma that just flow at an incredible rate. The other main symptom that is important is disassociation.
When we are triggered or intrusive thoughts are running we an not present but in the past or worrying about the future.
I would recommend reading and researching PTSd.
I believe it takes daily work and a small journal to keep track is key.. You can support him and practice skills that slowly help heal you.
I can give you recommendations on books and some tools that really helpful
Thank you 1wonderer1 your response was a blessing as well. I would love your recommendations becuase the info I have read so far only give me the basics of PTSD but I want to go more into it . I would also like more info on a journal and practice skills we can do. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. God Bless you.
When triggered wirte down why and for how long. Improvement later looks like a shortening of panic episodes.
PTSD is an epimdemic because of all the soldiers deployed. You have to decide which way you want to address his thoughts. This is vital and effects healing. CBT or cognitive begavioral therapy handles your trigger thoughts directly. It is known for taking a long long time.
The other way to handle thoughts is using mindfulness. Two therapies currently do this. DBT and Acceptance therapy. This is the path I followed using acceptance and mindfulness to learn to focus the mind to accept the thoughts.
You stop fighting and trying to control your thoughts. This book gives you an overview of mindfulness and reasons why it works and how.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=mindful+brain&x=11&y=19
I would get this book and read up. He will need support from time to time. You will not understand what it is about and sometimes he will not either. This is not a life sentencce and if you are part of his healing you will been even cherished beyond words.
Having someone being supportive helps healing and his feeling of safety.