Is your marriage being affected by PTSD? Does Post-traumatic stress disorder have an influence on the likelihood of you staying married or getting divorced?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as war, violence, abuse, accident, or death. It can cause various symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, or isolation. It can also affect your relationships, especially your marriage. In this blog post, we will explore how PTSD can affect your marriage and what you can do to save it.
The Impact of PTSD on Marriage
PTSD can have a negative impact on marriage in many ways, such as:
• Emotional distress and detachment. PTSD can cause emotional distress and detachment for both the partner with PTSD and the partner without PTSD. The partner with PTSD may experience intense emotions, such as fear, sadness, or rage, or may feel numb, empty, or disconnected. They may also withdraw from their spouse and family, and avoid intimacy, affection, or communication. The partner without PTSD may feel hurt, rejected, confused, or helpless, and may also lose their emotional and social support.
• Communication and intimacy problems. PTSD can interfere with the communication and intimacy in a marriage. The partner with PTSD may have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings, or may become defensive, hostile, or abusive when confronted. They may also have trouble trusting, listening, or empathizing with their spouse, or may say things that are insensitive or inappropriate. The partner without PTSD may feel ignored, neglected, or disrespected, and may lose trust and affection for their spouse. This can lead to a loss of connection, understanding, and sexual intimacy in the relationship.
• Family and legal issues. PTSD can also affect the family and legal aspects of a marriage. PTSD can cause parenting problems, such as inconsistency, impulsivity, or lack of discipline, which can affect the children’s behavior, development, and well-being. PTSD can also lead to legal issues, such as divorce, separation, custody, or child support, which can have long-term consequences for the family.
The Statistics of PTSD and Divorce
PTSD and divorce are closely linked, as PTSD can be a major cause or consequence of marital breakdown. Here are some statistics of PTSD and divorce:
• In the UK, 65% of marriages where one partner has PTSD end in divorce.
• In the US, the divorce rate for couples with a spouse with PTSD is 70-80%, compared to 50% for the general population.
• According to a study of US veterans, the risk of divorce increases by 62% for men and 35% for women after being diagnosed with PTSD.
• Some of the factors that contribute to the higher divorce rate among couples with PTSD are financial stress, emotional distress, communication problems, intimacy issues, family conflicts, and legal troubles. These factors can result from the symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, or isolation.
What You Can Do to Save Your Marriage
If you or your spouse have PTSD, there are some steps you can take to improve your relationship and overcome the challenges of PTSD, such as:
• Seek professional help. PTSD is a serious mental health condition that requires professional diagnosis and treatment. You can seek help from a doctor, therapist, or coach who specializes in PTSD. You can also contact the National PTSD Helpline on 0808 168 9111 or visit the PTSD UK website for more information and resources.
• Be honest and supportive. Honesty and support are essential for recovery and healing. If you are the partner with PTSD, you need to be honest with yourself and your spouse about your PTSD, and take responsibility for your actions. You also need to be open and willing to accept help and make changes. If you are the partner without PTSD, you need to be supportive and compassionate, but also firm and assertive. You also need to set healthy boundaries and protect yourself and your family from the negative effects of PTSD.
• Rebuild trust and intimacy. Trust and intimacy are the foundations of a healthy and happy marriage. To rebuild trust and intimacy, you need to communicate effectively, express your feelings and needs, listen and empathize, and show appreciation and affection. You also need to spend quality time together, engage in fun and meaningful activities, and rekindle your sexual intimacy.
• Seek marital counseling. Marital counseling can help you and your spouse work through the issues and challenges caused by PTSD, and restore your relationship. A marital counselor can help you understand the root causes and triggers of PTSD, improve your communication and conflict resolution skills, enhance your emotional and physical intimacy, and strengthen your bond and commitment.
PTSD can affect your marriage, but it doesn’t have to ruin it. With the right help, support, and strategies, you can improve your relationship and save your marriage. Remember, you are not alone, and there is hope. If you need more guidance and coaching on how to deal with PTSD and divorce, please contact us at Goodguys2Greatmen. We are here to help you become the confident, considerate, and masculine man that your wife will appreciate and desire again.
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https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/background-information/prevalence/
