Are you in an abusive relationship with someone who has PTSD?

Are you in an abusive relationship with someone who has PTSD?

Many women are suffering through an abusive relationship with someone who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. As many are diagnosed with this disorder, those who live with them and love them find that they are the brunt of anger and frustration. Spouses and children often become targets of rage and abuse.

PTSD is a condition in which the sufferer has great difficulty controlling negative emotions like fear and rage. There are a whole host of symptoms that are associated with PTSD, but uncontrollable rage is one of the most damaging and dangerous. At times, one who has this disorder does not possess the coping skills necessary to control their anger and others often get hurt.

If you are in an abusive relationship with someone who has PTSD, you have to protect yourself. Simply put, you must remove yourself from the person, if possible. Many women choose to live in the same household with someone who is either mentally and/ or physically abusive. The risk of you getting hurt is very high and most single women who are able to walk away, do so. Relationships are built on trust. If you can’t trust that you are safe and are going to be treated well, the relationship will eventually end anyways. Do not allow yourself to be abused.  

If you are living with someone who has PTSD, love someone who has PTSD, or are struggling with PTSD, click here for help.

Sadly, spouses and children of PTSD sufferers end up suffering as well.  If you do not feel that you want to leave, you have to set some boundaries. You must point out the behavior and clearly spell out the consequences for certain behaviors. Obviously, timing is everything with this technique, but this discussion is valuable because it outlines the limitations of what you will and will not accept. If your significant other chooses to ignore your boundaries, you must follow through with your consequences. For example, if you tell him that you will leave, you must be prepared to leave.

Some women choose not to distance themselves, instead believing that things eventually will change for the better. While that can be true, you should know that you are in for a bumpy ride. Coping with a spouse’s PTSD means that you must develop the flexibility to deal with frequent mood changes, often irrational behavior, and uncontrollable rage.  It means that you develop a special set of coping skills of your own. It also means that you do what you have to do to protect yourself both physically and emotionally.

Having PTSD is not an excuse or a reason to abuse others. If you find yourself in an abusive relationship with someone who has PTSD, consider your options carefully. Educate yourself about this condition and make a plan of how you will deal with the constant changes. Above all, realize that your safety and well being are most important.