It sounds like she needs time off the romantic stuff and could see herself developing a friendship with you. Long lasting relationships are what happiness is made of. In previous romantic relationships I would take breaks during very difficult moments for me, for weeks.
How to nurture your relationship if you have CPTSD
Being intimate with someone during those times was just too much and harmful. It made the shame and self hatred so much worst. I also feel way safer in a friendship setting, there is no physical closeness, touching and kissing that could trigger me.
PTSD is a mental health condition that may affect different aspects of your life, including your relationships. For some time, research has shown that those who live with trauma may also choose relationship partners and connections with people who reenact childhood experiences, often subconsciously. In some cases, this can lead to toxic or abusive relationship dynamics . You’re likely familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder , an anxiety disorder that occurs after a brief traumatic event. I’m friends with my partner now because a platonic relationship feels safer and triggers me less.
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is rarely discussed in public forums, even though healthy connection to others is an integral part of healing. This is a peer support community for those who have undergone prolonged trauma and came out the other side alive and kicking, but with wounds that need tending. This is also a place for friends and family of the victims to come for support. My relationship with my now fiancé took 6 months to develop into something that I took seriously.
What you should most definitely do is consider your own needs. Please be aware that it won’t just go away after a few month, it may remain difficult for years. If you think the relationship is worth it and are willing to try it, go for it! But always remember that you need to think of yourself, too. Sacrificing your happiness for somebody else for prolonged periods is a good way to make you both unhappy.
Loving someone with any mental health condition can be, at times, overwhelming. Be sure to establish your own boundaries and practice regular self-care. Recognize that not every day will go perfectly or be without difficulties. In fact, research shows that many symptoms of CPTSD overlap with those of borderline personality disorder , which is marked by challenges in interpersonal relationships.
I have no idea when I will be able to be romantic again, and putting pressure on it makes it worst. Trauma-informed therapy can help you reduce the emotional and mental effects of trauma. Here are the best options for https://hookupgenius.com/ trauma-focused treatments. Medication may be used to treat and reduce the symptoms of CPTSD. A mental health professional may prescribe you antidepressants like Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac, in conjunction with therapy.
There are a lot of triggers that can come up when we fall for someone, a lot of shutting down and pulling away because this can signal a unsafe situation in our minds. It’s hard to open up, it’s hard to let all these complex emotions come up, especially when the one you’re with is “normal” and doesn’t understand our inner world. If you can just listen, respect her boundaries and be there for her if she wants, without judgment, you are already forming a relationship with her. Dialectical behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD) compared with cognitive processing therapy in complex presentations of PTSD in women survivors of childhood abuse. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be broken down by type and severity of symptoms. Each type has different treatments and ways to manage it.
Just started dating someone with CPTSD, what are the dos and don’ts ?
I just started dating a girl with complex PTSD. She was very open about it, and our many discussions on the subject brought us close together. I’m here because sometimes I’n not sure what to do, how to react to her sudden distanciations, or what kind of help I can offer. If you are in immediate danger or crisis, please contact your local emergency services, or use our list of crisis resources. For CPTSD Specific Resources & Support, check out the wiki. For those posting or replying, please view the etiquette guidelines.
Support groups
I’m in that kind of situation, being the one with cPTSD needing space and time to go through an increase of my symptoms. Romantic interactions are quite difficult right now and I dissociate, have flashbacks, feel scared and crazy. It fluctuates from day to day, I don’t understand most of it and it’s frustrating. Dialectical behavioral therapy can be especially helpful because it gives you the tools to manage stress and build productive interpersonal skills.
If you move on you’ll be closing a door that if you are loving and consistent will be stronger again when it opens. You haven’t been rejected, the cptsd is active, and if you love the person the disease is part of them. Support groups may help you and your loved ones. The CPTSD Foundation offers virtual communities that provide validation and support in an effort to promote healing. Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy , involves talking with a therapist to identify and replace negative patterns of thinking with healthy coping mechanisms.