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Boyfriend with PTSD in complete shutdown
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I’ve spent the last 10 days reading blogs and posts from other people dating people with PTSD.
For the last 3 months, I’ve been dating a guy and things have been amazing…. It’s the first relationship in a long time that I’ve felt completely compatible with someone. Throughout that 3 months he’s fed me snippets on his mental health and that he suffers frim PTSD after being in the police force for 26 years. 10 days ago, out of nowhere he said he was struggling with himself and is unable to care for anyone else at the same time.
I asked him then and there what he would like me to do, stay or walk away with his response being he didn’t know and that he just needed time. After reading some forums, I sent a text every couple of days checking in and letting him know I’m here for him when he’s ready and I would get a text back, the texts began to get smaller and now I’m not getting any response whatsoever.
I feel so helpless, which by the sounds of things is pretty normal…. But what I’m struggling to work out is if this is his way out or he just needs more time and how much time am I supposed to sit helpless for?
Thanks for reading!
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Dear Belsin~
As another ex-policeman wiht PTSD, anxiety and bouts of depression I can't answer your question, nobody can, though you are probably in a better position than anyone to form a judgment (read guess).
From your point of view there are several things, one of the most probable is to worry that this is his way of ending the relationship. The next is that he may be going though an expected mood-cycle and it will come right. The third of course is that it is a downward spiral.
Interwoven with all that is a need to see to your own welfare, hopefully you have someone -family or friend - to share your doubts with and discuss. You are under probably more pressure than you realize.
OK, when I was going down I became more and more isolated -I needed it that way. I reached hte stage when I'd no idea what I wanted or if I loved anyone. answering even my partner became harder and harder. I also became easily angered plus other problems too.
There were two big things. First although I was putting distance between myself and my partner the fact I believed she would be there for me both then and in the future helped. The second was medical treatment.
So I guess if I was in your position I'd ensure he knew you were there and encourage him to get and make the most of proper treatment. If he is still serving there are resources within the force, otherwise he may have to start treatment then investigate if worker's comp is appropriate. The important thing is getting the treatment itself. That was my mistake and I really regret it now.
If you find you cannot persuade him to see the doctor consider if there is anyone else that might have better luck. Someone he respects from the force, a parent or family member perhaps.
I'm not sure this is going to be a quick thing to resolve, please feel you can talk about things here as often as you would like
Croix
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Dear Croix,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and also for your time in the force.
I'm fortunate enough to have an amazing support network around me, so I will continue to lean on them and come back here whenever I feel the need.
Wishing you the absolute best in the future.
Belsin
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