Many people find their relationships are affected by PTSD. Trauma can leave you feeling that you aren’t safe, and that your future is uncertain. You may find yourself feeling vulnerable, helpless, and unable to trust your spouse, even if you thought s/he was trustworthy in the past. You may feel easily threatened, or that you don’t want to be close to anyone ever again for fear of being hurt. Or, you may become controlling of others as you try to gain control over the things going on in your life.
You may feel shame, unlovable, or guilt related to the trauma. You may feel that no one understands what you’ve been through. You may fear sharing your feelings with others and hurting them through vicarious traumatization.
Isolation becomes a necessary way of life, and it leaves you feeling disconnected from others. You may feel abandoned. You may not feel anything at all, either good or bad, becoming numb. As a result, you have trouble relating with others and expressing any feeling.
Relationships can be difficult when PTSD is present, but treatment can help. Talk to someone: your doctor, clergy, health clinic, group members, or mental health worker. The situation can be improved. PTSD is treatable!