Partner with complex PTSD (intimacy issues)

Hi @Littleshining1

Welcome to the forum.
Unfortunately I don't have any answers for you but I just wanted to touch base to and say you are not alone.

While our individual circumstances may be different what you are saying re intimacy sounds like a parrot of what I constantly think but have never had the courage to say out loud, even to a councillor.

Intimacy and affection I think (for me anyway) are basic survival needs even when things are going well but more so when was as individuals are struggling ourselves. Sometimes it would be nice to be the one being held and told 'it will be ok' rather than the other way around. I too love my wife and will do what ever it takes to support her but it can be quite lonely at times without that connection.

As far as what I do to cope? I just accept it (sometimes more grudgingly than others) by trying to understand that engaging is just as hard for my wife as lack of engagement is for me. I would also be interested in anyone else's thoughts as to coping strategies.

I trust you can find the strength to get through this and support your partner while remaining well yourself.

Thanks. It's painful but I'm hanging in there. Went out with some friends tonight. Self care, self care, self care!

Welcome the the forum @Littleshining1

You're absolutely right about self-care and nurturing yourself will do a lot to keep you going through hard times like this.

Have you considered getting some therapeutic or counselling support for yourself? I'm sure there are groups or counsellors who do one on one work who might specialise in areas such as intimacy. Hopefully your partner begins to feel ready to explore this with you again once his own inner work starts to impact him for the better.

I certainly hope you find solace and support on this forum.

Shel49

@Former-Member have a psychologist and psychiatrist and other than helping me deal with my stress by supporting my self care and choices about what is best for me, (and manage my own mental health I have bipolar and ptsd) they seem to to have nothing else to contribute.

i am aware of other specialist to work on intimacy and sex therapy and maybe that will be helpful in the future.

my partner is willing to work in the intimacy issues and is getting help from a psychologist...it's just gonna take time.

Hi All 🙂

@Littleshining1 it sounds like you've got a lot to try and manage at the moment. Your sense of yearning for intimacy, connection and affection is understandable and something I'm sure others can relate to. Sometimes sucha topic is hard for people to talk about so thank you for bringing your experience into light here. I wonder if connecting with others here on the forums can help, even if only in an ever small way.

Sane has a number of blogs we write and I had a look through to se if any might be of interest to you. They can be found below.

Looking after yourself as a carer

Sex, intimacy and mental illness

@Sherry has a partner with PTSD. Perhaps she has some thoughts or discussion that she might like to add? There's also this thread where @Determined and @Darcy write about the up and downs of having a partner with a mental illness, which you might like to take a look at.

Take Care and I hope you all have a nice weekend 🙂

Hello @Littleshining1

How are you tonight xx

Hello @Mandy1, @Littleshining1, @Phanelope., @Former-Member, sending you lots of tender hugs pleas e keep talking to us , xoxo