husband has PTSD after active duty tours to IRAQ/Afghanistan

[babywilliams6]

My husband and I have been together for nearly a year; we just got married earlier this month. We have been dealing with his PTSD since we have been together. He is part of an outpatient mental health clinich where he "works" every day with therapists doing one on one therapy and group therapy. This is a 3 step process and he recently promoted to the second step, but he does not seem to be doing better at all. His sleep patterns are very erratic and the nightmares are very intense. (They say that the nightmares are a great sign of his recovery, and the more intense they are the better he is getting because he is forced to deal with the things he has been repressing) They change his meds so often it is hard to keep up, they have to send me a med list every week so that I am sure he is taking the correct medications. We have couples sessions with his therapist because I want to be an active part of his recovery so that I know what is going on and the techniques he is learning to cope so that I can be sure he uses them at home. He seems to have no interest in life at times, he constantly complains of being bored with life, and he always seems depressed. He does things that produce an adrenaline, but are very harmful to his relationships. We, along with his therapists, have determined that he is seeking the adrenaline rush he got from the active combat zone so we have come up with other activities he can do with the family or his friends in order to get the rush but not hurt his loved ones. The problem with that is getting him to get up off the couch and out of his depression long enough to do anything; is there anything I can do to help motivate my husband? Is it possible for him to feel the therapeutic effects of any medication if he is only on it for a week before they change it? please help me help the love of my life... anything I can take back to his therapists or medication doctor is appreciated.
- concerned army wife

[brice1967]

It really sounds that you guys are on the right track.  Meds can often take a while to fully take effect.  Sometimes is takes a week or better to get the system pumping those meds through.

I'm no doctor, but it sounds like the therapy sessions are making a difference and you helping out not only benefits him, but you as well.  It gives you a better understanding of what he is going through.

Be patient and be strong.  You both are brave people addressing this.... alot of people let it go the wayside, and it ruins relationships and lives.  You're on the right track.  Be there for him..... it is making a difference.

[babywilliams6]

he turned 21 in Iraq so of course alcohol was a big thing for him when he first got back, but due to all the medications he is on his medical profile prohibits his drinking. Well, that and I do too. He gets extremely violent when he drinks; however, he is a great guy. I have accepted him for who he is; I just want to know how to help him get the help that he needs. A lot of that is knowing what questions to ask, and who to ask them of. Thanks for the response.

[drifter0213]

when i came back to the States all i wanted to do was use alcohol, but i believe that he is heading to the right directions i still get that adrenaline too :)