Had a great question from a new member, whose husband was newly diagnosed with PTSD. She doesnt know much, is just trying to start getting informed, and just recently found out her husband is cheating on her. Her husband excused it as part of his adrenaline addiction, and she wanted to know if this type of behavior can be caused by PTSD and if it really can be excused that easily. What we think.... From our experience, LOTS of bad behaviors can be caused by, or maybe better said, STARTED by PTSD and its symptoms (the new DSM-V actually includes in its symptom criteria Reckless or self-destructive behavior). It helps to know this, because if you dont know what the root cause is of something, then its pretty tough to get proper help or to give proper understanding for it (imagine having a painful back injury, but not having access to modern imaging equipment to know WHY your back is hurting... is it a strained muscle, a bulging disk, a broken vertebrae, etc.). However, we wouldnt try to imply that this EXCUSES the behavior... especially something as serious as cheating on your spouse. In the case above... PTSD and adrenaline addiction are talked about regularly as being related, so that is maybe legitimate as a starting cause, but cheating causes a whole world of pain and distrust in a relationship, and THAT, for most people, cant be just excused away. ~~Michele Smith
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:37:59 +0000
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