Mightsurvive,

Two things I've noticed as a running theme through here with people who deal with PTSD-sufferers and care givers-(myself and mine included), is 1-That it's either accepted as a new reality for all involved or not. And 2-Once you accept it, you tend to have a bit of a melt down. Not sure why. Maybe because reality finally breaks through the walls of denial and you get scrambled in the brain for a bit? I'm sure there's a very technical term for it...I just don't have it.

Both my husband and I had our little melt downs. Mine was prior to his. It's hard changing your reality. It's hard for your partner to change their reality. But it is necessary to do for dealing with this or any other chronic mental issues. When my hubby finally had his, I was half relieved, half scared (he doesn't show emotion that much...boy he did that day!) and I lost my tangerine tree. He took it apart piece by piece while ranting and raving about everything. Now that we've both accepted this as part of our lives, it's been a whole lot easier for both of us.

What ruddy said about your hubby needing time to catch up is so true. Remember, his world has been turned upside down just as yours has, too. He's probably scared trying to figure out what happened and how does he get things back to being known and secure.

Being there for each other, being honest and open are some of the best ways to get over this rough patch of working the realities of PTSD into your lives.

Lisa