Hi MaryJane

I feel your pain, frustration and hurt and you are worried and scared ! PTSD is very serious and doesn't go away....It just can be managed in a way that makes living easier !

Becvan and all the others made so many great points !

My boyfriend has PTSD and it has been a learning experience, I have read many articles on this illness and it has helped me cope with his moods in a better way ! The way we deal with instances in our daily life is so different then the way they deal with it ! What seems so easy and logical for us ....is not for them ! Lots of love, understanding, patience and support is needed. Sensing their moods before they fully come out is important too. They are scared, panicked, insecure, emotional...the list goes on !

One instance I remember is one time we were at this shopping centre where there was lots of people and they had set a stage where there was a "local" singer...well, I saw his expression change and he said to me "is it ok, if we leave ?" I understood right away and we left....the noise and crowd was becoming too much for him...if I would have pushed him to stay...who knows what would have happened.

Another time, a similar thing happened, we were at a restaurant, crowdy, noisy....I told him "let's leave" before he even said anything to me. I also knew he was having a bad day, so I gave him the chance to talk it over with me in a private place.

It is all about compromising and understanding ! I know it is hard, and at times will feel unbearable !

I know my boyfriend has to always keep busy and many times he needs time to himself, which is ok too ! Often I tell him to relax...and he says "I can't" so I respect that !

I know it affects everyone differently, however, having read so many posts here, and read so many articles...There are so many similarities. I have come to a better understanding about this illness !

Understanding, support, love, patience and respect that is all we can offer them. But they will have to make the bigger, more painful steps to getting better ! It can be done !

With my boyfriend we are at the stage where we can laugh about lots of things, like his forgetting so often !!! lol...we have a sense of humour about it..I call him "my old forgetful man" and he laughs ! He has come a long way with the help of doctors and medicine....Your boyfriend can make it too !!!