PTSD can affect people differently, so you need to learn and understand your partner's triggers. Ask if they're comfortable discussing their triggers, and then actively participate by trying to understand possible triggers that may lead to changes in their behavior (e.g., sounds, smells, and places.)
In many cases, they may feel unable to trust anyone, and they often feel misunderstood by everyone in their life. This can make sustaining a healthy relationship difficult (though not at all impossible). Your partner may experience bouts of intense sadness, guilt, anger, or shame related to a past traumatic event.
Research suggests a connection between PTSD and relationship problems. PTSD may add extra challenges to relationships in different ways, including: experiencing a loss of emotional regulation. losing interest in family activities.
To sum up, dating from a trauma informed perspective means not taking things too personally, being curious about a potential romantic partner's behavior, respecting other people's boundaries, and making sure you're clear about your own boundaries.
Survivors with PTSD may feel distant from others and feel numb. They may have less interest in social or sexual activities. Because survivors feel irritable, on guard, jumpy, worried, or nervous, they may not be able to relax or be intimate. They may also feel an increased need to protect their loved ones.
Intimacy in relationships can be affected when you live with certain symptoms of PTSD, such as: lack of interest in enjoyable activities. negative self-image. feelings detached from others, or an inability to emotionally connect.
Being in a relationship with someone who has a trauma history can be uniquely challenging at times. In many cases, individuals who experience trauma may behave in ways that are hard for their partner to understand.
Relationships are complicated, and sometimes, the situation calls for maintaining a relationship with a person who caused trauma. Consider doing so only after you know you can be physically safe. And remember, if the situation gets worse, don't hesitate to do what you need to do to maintain safety.
DON'T force them to socialize or do things they're not ready for. Forcing our loved ones to do things they are not ready for may often cause more damage, and worse, trigger PTSD symptoms. It's important to continue to include them in activities and allow them to decide what they are up for.
Common PTSD Triggers in Relationships
Fear and anxiety around the source of the traumatic event. Becoming emotionally overstimulated. Panic attacks during times of conflict.
People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people.
Traumatic events, on the other hand, can create the most complex and difficult cases of intimacy avoidance. And a few examples of these events include the following: Physical or sexual abuse. Verbal abuse.
These symptom types can exhibit themselves in a variety of ways. For instance, a sound or experience might suddenly trigger a flashback, and the person with PTSD could stop wanting to spend time with loved ones, feel down a lot, have trouble trusting people, avoid certain places, and suddenly become angry.
Though it may be challenging at times, it is totally possible to create a healthy relationship with someone who has PTSD. “The key is understanding, clear communication, and compassion,” says Douglas. First and foremost, you should set up times throughout the week to check-in with each other.
Conclusions: PTSD may lead to arousal and lubrication dysfunction by contributing to higher depression severity and strained romantic relationships. Interventions targeting reductions in depressive symptoms and bolstering relationship satisfaction may minimize the burden of PTSD on sexual arousal concerns.
Complex PTSD Can Devastate Romantic Relationships
Your romantic relationship may be one of those areas. C-PTSD may make your partner unable to fully trust anyone, even those who are closest to them—and that could include you.
While hypersexuality can occur with PTSD, sexual avoidance is also a consequence in some cases. Many people feel hypersexual impulses as their brains are focused on the trauma. They can enter an unhealthy cycle where they seemingly reenact their trauma. As mentioned, this can be a coping mechanism for many.
A person with PTSD has four main types of difficulties: Re-living the traumatic event through unwanted and recurring memories, flashbacks or vivid nightmares. There may be intense emotional or physical reactions when reminded of the event including sweating, heart palpitations, anxiety or panic.