Kerrie -Ann,
I guess I'll direct this to you but can a spouse of someone with PTSD get a type of PTSD also?

The reason I ask is that my first marriage was to an alcoholic and I feel because of the learned coping mechanisms i developed while living with him definitely affect my decision making and actions in this marriage. I mean, I always lived in a sense of fear with my first husband. He never physically hurt me, but he made sure I was bruised inside out. He said terrible things to me and made sure I was never good enough. I could hear his truck coming for miles and I would get chills and anxious at the thought of him walking through the door, not knowing what he would say to crush me.

That is why, with my hubby now, when he withdraws and clams up, or says things that hurt, I get in fear mode. My hubby now does not drink, won't even take aspirin...one great attraction for me, but the words that come from PTSD...well you know what I mean. I just have an overwhelming fear sometimes. It freezes me and I physically get sick sometimes. It affects my concentration. It hurts.

Any thoughts on this?