does she care or does she not

[statsattack]

How do you tell if your ptsd suffer cares about you or not if she pushed you away

[Hidden]

My first thought was that the one suffering should still show that she/ he has time and energy for you in their life that they appreciate that you are willing to walk through this with them and they should have a willingness to let you enter into their healing process as well as invite you to do the enjoyable things in their life It should be clear that they give you a special place in their life

[ElizaV in reply to Hidden]

True, and I do this with my husband...try to show him I appreciate him, do things with him, include him in what I learn about my PTSD...but occasionally there are several days during the month when I simply cannot, I cannot express my emotions in a healthy way to him so I just don't. After a few days though, I get through it and im happy that I didn't include him in some of it because our relationship is better off that way.

[ElizaV]

That is difficult to say, I would think it depends on specific details, circumstances, etcetera. Sometimes for the person with PTSD, it is just easier to distance yourself, sometimes my partner just brings up so much pain for me that it's better for both of us when I distance myself. I don't love him less, but the intense pain of the closeness is too much for me to handle. I'm going through it right now actually, and when I don't "push" him away, I can actually cause him deep pain. It's happened many times so I'm learning that pushing him away a bit helps me and him. He is very triggering for me sometimes and I think it's hard for him to understand this, as he does not have PTSD.

[mstwixie]

I still think she cares, I speak for my own experiences and I tend to push away when I am hurting. I don't do it intentionally, but when I battle with triggers and flashbacks I feel tremendous pain, and I push people away because I don't want to put them through the agony I deal with. I don't want to push anyone away but I do it anyways, and it has nothing to do with that I don't love them, I just feel so bad and I think I don't deserve to have someone to care for me.

I have told my BF about this, and he knows how I get during my PTSD mood swings, and he's done nothing but being there for me. Even at my worst, and today is one of them days.

[Hidden]

Some of it depends on where the person is in the PTSD healing process. You are looking at months/years, not days and weeks.

[Hidden]

Glad this topic was brought up. I don't know what to expect as there have been so very few that have stayed with me in my process. I am at the point that I want to invite more people into my life.I feel very careful for many of the same things you all mentioned.Mostly not wanting to hurt anyone else. And those that have tried have had little understanding and often revictimized me. I think I know how to make better choices in who I allow in and that should help me maintain more relationships ]

[Equis-Canine Volunteer]

It is normal for those of us with ptsd to withdraw from people. I have to work hard to be in social situations and it can be exhausting. Sometimes it is easier than others. But I always need time alone to recharge.

[statsattack]

Have you guys ever centered all your rage at one person before?