Hey Brian... I believe in Evie's diary and another thread maybe, we discussed this in much detail for Jim, so if Evie has that info handy, it is pretty precise mate, and should certainly help you out if you have not read it.

I don't think Brian has seen all of that... I forget all about it to be honest. I'll print it all out again, thanks for reminding me.

Brian,
Some important things to remember when dealing with a person who has been triggered and is suffering from the effects of a PTSD event.
Listen!! You can't fix it!! Just listen!! It dosen't matter if she has to tell you ten thousand times what has happened to her, or what she is seeing don't tell her to get over it, or try in any way to invalidate her feelings. Let her vent!! This is the way to heal. It must be allowed to come out. The reason it is so painful is because it has been locked away. Those who suffer and have suffered on this board know that if these locked away emotions are not allowed to come out they will anyway. In a self distructive manner that hurts the sufferer and all involved. Many times when these events occure the person suffering will not even remember what abuse the event was caused by. Only the emotion. Flash backs are a very powerful emotional trauma that can scare the living crap out of the sufferer, and cause them to doubt their sanity. It seems that they can serve a perpose. They can help the suferer to identify the abuse that caused their PTSD! This is a very painful process, but one that leads to healing.
My best freind and wife has been fighting this war for about 3 1/2 years. We have come along way. The first time she was triggered I had to take her to the hospital. Now, when she is triggered, (always a night) we get up and have a snack and talk about it. Then we go back to bed. (usually) Some times it's a couple of days before she is back to normal. She is in the care of a Pysc. and gets some therapy. She gets stronger every day. This woman put herself through undergrad school, raised two kids and put up with an abusive spouse with all of this volcanic emotion, before I knew her. Then when we married, and her spirit knew it was safe all of this came out to deal with. When we get on the other side of this time, both of us will be different, stronger and closer.
Sorry to rattle on so...Just wanted to show the light at the end of the tunnel...
Wayne

waynes- thx for showing us the light and sharing your insight-I hope that we all are able to gain some of the perseverance that you and your wife are showing in dealing with PTSD.

Thank you all for the responses, and my apologies for not coming back here to read sooner.

Kguyton, thank you yes, I have spoken with her psychiatrist. Things are quite complicated as she has some serious physical concerns on top of the PTSD. She's heavily medicated at the moment and we're all hoping it will help her get past the worst of the physical aspects. My mum has joined me here and my dad will be here end of the week. Strength in numbers...

Johnny Longtorso... interesting name. And waynes... you both sound like good husbands. Thank you for the advice, it's very useful to me. I tend to be on the rigid side veiled, so it's good to hear opinions on better ways of dealing with this. And I understand Evie's confusion between hallucinations and flashbacks... it's making my head spin a bit to be honest.

Anthony yes I now have all that information, thanks to Evie. I probably should have done a bit of reading on the site before jumping in and posting about something that was already covered so well.

Cheers, Brian

Brian, it glad to know you are reading and listening! Great family support for her. Yeah... hubs name interesting, that is it LOL. He said it was that or monkey boy. Mystery Science Theather thing he saw. (I prefer monkey boy myself hee hee)

And feel more than free to jump in and ask anything. This site is quite large and can be hard to find info as there is so much here. No one ever has an issue either answering again (thank goodness or I would have been lost) or pointing you to proper threads that cover it. One of these days I think Anthony should turn it into the ultimate self help book really...

Sorry I'm late but welcome Brian.

Great to hear that you are there to help batgirl.

Thank you jods. I am trying, though the last couple of days have been rather hellish. My mum is here now as well, so that helps tremendously.

Cheers, Brian

tcc

It is super that you & your family are all helping Evie. Family that understands or at least is trying is helpful. :claps:

my daughter (firefighterchic) has come on board here as well. So now it's a family thing. my hubby (ranger) got us all started here. He found this cite while being up in the middle of the night, not able to sleep, and having issues with his PTSD.

Any way hugs to you all.

D (wildcritter)

Wonderful for you, wildcritter! Great to know we are not the only family here on the forum. I felt out of place slightly, not being a spouse. Truthfully I'm gaining understanding just from reading what Evie has posted, and even from my dad's writings.

Cheers, Brian