When people think of the Army, they will often think about a strong man or woman fighting for their country and to keep people safe. Sometimes though, they overlook the strength of the spouse who is there to support them.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is something that has become far more spoken about since the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s not that it is more common in today’s Army society, PTSD has been documented for years, especially after the first and second world wars. Today, we are far more supportive and understand the condition much better, so we are able to support our soldiers and ensure they have the things they need to recover or live with this disorder.
Most of us experience some kind of post-traumatic stress in our lifetime. This can be anything from the way you feel after a car crash to the sudden death of a family member. Post-traumatic stress usually goes away with time and talking. However, if you don’t deal with the issue, then it becomes post-traumatic stress disorder. This is debilitating and can affect someone so severely that it leads them to be a completely different person.
If you believe your partner has PTSD or you have a friend who is dealing with the problem, then you need to be calm and non-judgemental. You will also need a strong support network for yourself as you may find some situations very hard to deal with. There are lots of programs in the military that can help you, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for support.
There have been cases across the world where someone with severe PTSD has taken their own life, and you should consider speaking to wrongful death attorneys with the expertise your case needs, as it may be that there is some help you can get depending on the cause of the PTSD. So if you have found yourself in a situation like this, make sure you explore every avenue to protect your family. Your partner deserved support, and if this was lacking, then you may have a case.
Supporting a friend whose partner is living with PTSD requires a lot of listening and love. They may have found their whole marriage has changed and been desperately struggling to come to terms with it. If you can lift some of their daily burdens, they will be able to dedicate more of their time to supporting their partner. This could be as simple as cooking meals or looking after any children. So speak to your friend and be there for them day or night.
If your partner has PTSD, then let them open up to you when they are ready. You can’t force someone to face their issues, and you could make them close off and retreat even further into their shell. This can lead to complications and a worsening of symptoms. PTSD is a medical condition; it isn’t something that somebody can just shrug off. So be empathic and loving, but always make sure you look after your mental health too. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and love with guide you both through.
