PTSD, Anxiety and Depression

[Linnes]

Hello everyone, It's my first time doing something like this. I've been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression for a couple of years now. All started after a car accident. I've been on SSRI's, psycologists, trauma counselling etc. In a nutshell I've done a lot of work which has been amazing. Still I end up with touches of anxiety which I regulate through many practices I've been taught. Lately though I've been in a trough of anxiety bordering on depression which has affected my ability to connect with my wife sexually and emotionally. It's to the point now that she say's she's done and that we aren't really in a relationship anymore. She's asked me to move out and that when I do she doesn't want to hear from me for at least 6 months. She wants to find someone who can 'fullfill her needs'! Obviously that drives me deeper into myself. I kinda feel abandoned in the marriage and dissapointed that my mental illness doesn't get the same care as a physical illness. Not sure what to do for best here.

[Croix]

Dear Linnes~

Welcome to the Forum. I too have PTSD, bouts of depression and anxiety, however I cam very late to treatment and have taken a very long time to respond. From the sounds of it you had taken prompt action and have benefited a lot.It's been an unfortunate fact that at least for me depression has recurred at times and this as much as anything else has placed a strain on my marriage.

Have you talked with your doctor over this reemergence of depression?

I too have not wanted intimacy, quite the reverse wanting solitude and isolation, easier to deal with.

In all fairness living with such a person is stressful, worrying and frustrating, plus can build up resentment. To put it bluntly it sounds as if your wife has reached her limit, or believes so.

May I ask if you have talked this though with her, maybe even taken her to your doctor to have symptoms explained? I did this and it did make a difference, up until then my wife had the feeling a lot of my problems were caused by her. After she had the confidence to know this was not true.

I'm not sure your partner is the same, she may have very defined limits on what she can put up with and I can't advise what to do there.

Apart from her is there anyone in your life to give you some support at the moment? Family or a friend perhaps? That can make things so much easier.

Please come back and let us kow

Croix