Dating A Person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Online Resources for Someone Dating A Person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, can affect almost anyone and symptoms can show up at any age. Most people suffer from PTSD as a result of some kind of traumatic event or time period in their life, such as domestic violence, rape or other sexual assault, familial violence, an automobile or airplane accident, war, terrorism, or some other violent or unsettling event. (The most prevalent cause of PTSD in the US is car crashes which happen about every five minutes. Anyone can have PTSD. aw ) Natural disasters such as a volcano, earthquake, tornado, tsunami or hurricane can also trigger PTSD in many people.

While PTS directly affects the person who has been diagnosed, it can also have a serious impact on other people in their lives who are in a relationship with them.

For those who are married to or dating someone dealing with PTSD, it can be a difficult road to travel and frustrating at times. Most people who deal with the problem of PTSD experience “reliving” the event unexpectedly, feel an almost constant sense of fear, have flashbacks of the episode, nightmares, and have a sense of being detached or distant from those they love. They often experience depression and anxiety, a mixture that be quite intrusive and in some cases even cost people their life. Some people also deal with physical problems such as nervous tics, antsy repetitive motions, headaches, muscle aches, and even dry mouth and blurred vision in some instances. The process for coping with PTSD is difficult one but those who understand it have a better chance at dealing with it and nurturing a long lasting relationship.

Sometimes, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can go undiagnosed for many years until the symptoms become so overwhelming that the patient cries out for help. Often it can take several years after a traumatic event has occurred for people to even experience the symptoms associated with it. For others, they may try to hide or mask their symptoms, hoping or believing it is not PTSD. Until the problem becomes intrusive in their life or affects their ability to work or function, it often goes untreated. Some anxiety medications are used to treat PTSD, and more often therapy is used to help people cope with the many symptoms PTSD can bring along with it.

Veterans are the most common group of people that typically deal with PTSD, but it can have an effect on women, children, and the elderly as well. There is no one criteria that a person must meet in order to be diagnosed with PTSD. This can vary on the severity of what they have dealt with as well as their own personal ability to handle it. For partners who live with someone suffering from PTSD, the journey can be difficult. Activities can be limited due to the person’s fear or the possibility that they may encounter a trigger that will spark an attack in public. Sleep can often be interrupted, since people suffering from PTSD usually deal with nightmares that can affect getting a good night’s sleep, and wake their partner up as well. It is important for spouses and friends of those suffering from PTSD to provide each other with support, nurturing, and understanding so that the patient can deal with everyday living.