Hi
As you all know that living with a PTSD sufferer isn't a easy ride.
Although I see a psycologist about every 3 mths, today I went to a mental health clinic to see if I was starting to show signs of depression.
I was told that at this stage I'm not but if I'm not feeling "better" in the next two weeks I should see my GP.
So hear is my question- has anyone else felt that they are heading down that road too?
I am asking this to raise awareness so that we remember that sometimes our health suffers too.
We love our partners & try to give them as much support as we can but sometimes all the stuff we deal with can affect us too.

Hey Jods,

I sometimes wonder about the same thing. My fear is that I have stepped into a role where I can't win, no matter what, and both of those points (A-Being the rock for her; B-Not being able to provide her with what she needs) are eating at me, chipping away little bits at a time. I hit a low the other day over something that a few years ago would have rolled right off my back. So maybe it is starting to take it's toll already!

Jods,
You are doing the right thing by getting help for yourself.
Our health suffers greatly and we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves because we are so worried about our loved ones with PTSD.
I feel i have my own problems (not that i got them all from my hubbys PTSD) but problems that i have always have with depression... but, now with him and all the stuff he is going through, its getting alot worse for me too... yet to this day i have not done a thing to get help for myself.. im always too busy worrying about him, or i have to many responsibilities and i seem to "forget" about myself or feel i dont have enough hours in my day to do all that i need to do!! its frustrating.. so i just want to say that you are doing the right thing. and to answer your question, yes i think most of us get there...to the point where it affects us enough to the point where we need help ourselves.

Thanks for your honesty Warren & Andrea.

I had the same thing happen to me Warren this week. It seems we can be going along ok , then pow, we hit that wall hard & fast. That is why I went to seek help. It isn't the 1st time it's happened during this & that was why I was wondering if it continues to happen then it would only be a matter of time that I start to find it harder to get back up.

Hi Andrea, you are right about forgetting about ourselves at times. We must make sure that we make the time for ourselves or we will burn out too.

Spouses most definately can get symptoms of PTSD living with a sufferer, because the instability and mental torture a sufferer can inflict impacts the spouse without doubt. This is why its important for a sufferer to heal and learn how to manage PTSD, not only for themselves, but for their spouse, children and anyone else that relates with them daily. Spouses, family and those who interact with a sufferer daily, who's PTSD is not managed, must ensure they take care of themselves, they talk issues out to help avoid them also being dragged into symptoms, ie. depressive states, panic attacks, anxiety, etc.

Hi Jods sorry to hear that you are not feeling great. It is ok to feel like we are losing it sometimes. Its not much fun living with someone when you are not sure what reaction you are hoping to get from them sometimes. I had to go on Zoloft at the start of this year it is a 6 month script and I am just about finished and I think I will be fine without them. Hubby starts clinic next week so we will see how that goes. Things are ok at the moment probably because I only see him about 4 hours a day
What are your symptoms that you think you are getting depressed?
You will get through this! Thoughts are with you!!
Jen

I definately agree that our health can suffer and suffer a lot if we are not careful. I believe a combination of things, including the PTSD spouse thing contributed to my early start of maternity leave. A combination of that and continual illnesses just made it almosts impossible to get well, stay that way and cope with the normal life stressors. Also I had not found time to establish the support mechanisms that I had in place in Townsville...........I have started to re-establish those here in Melbourne and am finding that it is helping heaps. I have found myself a good acupuncturist, which I know some consider a luxury but I prefer them rather than a doctor. I have found an osteopath, which I am lucky in that VA pays for my visits as a result of a work injury years ago and I am starting to do some things for me. I am back doing yoga and plan to have lunch with a girlfriend as soon as she is back from holidays. Every little bit helps. Personally, I find acupuncture and yoga to be of the greatest benefits. I am not keen on most doctors, partially because of their tendency to hand out pills at the slightest sign of depression. I tend to agree with Anthony's bent on that, being that they are good for a temporary fix but in a nutshell are really only a bandaid. Like those with PTSD, spouses need to make lifestyle adjustments to ensure that their own wellbeing is taken care of. Easier said than done I know!

Jods, sorry that you are having a rough time of it. I think we all need to tape this mantra to our bathroom mirrors 'spouses must look after themselves as well, we are just as important in the scheme of things'.

How true, Andrea. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to squeeze in any type of therapy for ourselves. And even if we did make the time, what is there anyway? Do insurance companies routinely cover "PTSD Spouses"? And if you were sitting down with someone trying to describe what you are going through, how much sympathy would you get from them? More than likely you'ld get something like, "So, they have mood swings, I put up with that with my spouse all the time!" or, "If it's that bad, just leave!" Hell, we can't even understand what your spouses are going through, how do we tell someone what we're going through as a result of them?

At least we have each other, that has been the greatest therapy for me. Thanks all!