thanks Anthony, your insight is amazing. It's likeI was walking around with both my eyes shut before I read your words.

I'm not sure if she'll come onto the message board (to be frank, I'm afraid to ask), but we have had a therapy session with a psychologist who actually knows about PTSD which is really promising. We've been given a workbook written by our therapist and have a few new things to try out.

I'm sad to say that I really am a big part of the problem here - I have some issues of my own (a lifetime of anxiety, low self-esteem, a desperate need to please others and problems with lying). It's grossly unfair on her that she has to deal with me as well as her problems. Of course, I've got to figure out how to take care of myself without turning that into neglect for her. Geez, who knew that a little balance could be so difficult to find?

It'll get better though. In some ways, it already has.