A very harmful relationship with an emotionally or physically abusive partner can create trauma that the person will not remember long after the relationship ends leaves.
These days it's called relationship post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Although it's a is a relatively new term, there are many people who really suffer from it.
Thing is, relationship trauma has characteristics similar to normal PTSD. The fact that a relationship can be so damaging to a person is truly terrifying.
If you haven't been through an emotionally or physically abusive relationship, you may not even realize that you are in something so serious is experiencing.
It's really hard to tell if it really is relationship-related PTSD as the symptoms are fairly common and can also have causes outside of the relationship.< /p>
1. You fear and crave obligations at the same time
You've decided not to jump straight into a new one after the toxic relationship you've been through.
But it's been so long and you've turned down all the date invites .
You long to be close to someone and at the same time it is your biggest fear.
Last time you let someone close, they did it will only hurt you.
You're afraid the same thing will happen again – that when you get involved with someone, you can't see the person clearly.
You haven't recognized the early signs of manipulation and abusive behavior and you fear that you will you won't recognize even now.
2. You don't see a ray of hope
Your experience has turned your life upside down.
You went from someone who always wanted to see the good to someone who fears the worst so much that you get anxiety attacks.
All the scenarios you see before have a bad ending. You often find yourself thinking that you're cursed because everything you pick up falls apart.
Actually, the pessimistic thoughts bring negativity into your life.
For example, if you fear that your friend is leaving you, you will bother him so much that he will really see no other option but to leave.
3. Your insecurities deepen
Before this relationship, you never knew how much self-doubt you had.
You had no problem with your judgment to trust or to make decisions.
But now everything is different; you feel worthless and self esteem has become a complete alien.
The thing is, the first thing emotional abusers do is rob your self esteem. They make it their mission to ruin this.
If you have any insecurities, they will do their best to use them against you.
Once you are filled with insecurities, it is easier to manipulate and direct your life in their way fits.
4. You settle for less than you deserve
Even though the bad relationship is over and you want to start something new, chances are you're just moving on to the next best thing lets in.
Your reality is distorted by everything you've been through and you believe that anyone who treats you a little better than your ex is good for you.
When you stop hold and watch and you'll find that it's easy to beat your ex.
He was the worst and everything after him is a step up.
That doesn't mean that you should settle for everything.
You need a normal, healthy and loving relationship and being with someone who isn't right for you is far from it.
5. You have flashbacks
This mostly happens to victims of physical abuse. They are constantly afraid that the same thing will happen again.
Also, seeing or hearing about something similar that is somehow related to the abuser can trigger flashbacks and you bring you back to your greatest fear.
When you experience a flashback, it feels like everything is happening all over again.
You will be able to see, smell and feel everything exactly like back then.
6. You suffer from insomnia and nightmares
Dreams relate directly to our subconscious.
If you have a very harmful or abusive going through a relationship, your subconscious will pick up whatever you are repressing.
Waking up from a dream where you were in cold water or waking up screaming and gasping from a nightmare are things people with PTSD often experience through relationships.
Insomnia is also common. It's hard to fall asleep peacefully after everything you've been through.
7. Health Issues
The trauma and stress of the relationship is often reflected in health.
The first sign that something is wrong is sudden weight gain or loss.
Other signs of unhealthy relationships resulting from a harmful relationship will show up later , such as high blood pressure, gastritis, ulcers or skin diseases.
8. You can't stop blaming yourself
If you've been with a partner who likes to play the victim, you'll take all the blame.< /p>
He probably kept telling you that it was your fault for provoking his behavior or abuse.
Even though deep down you knew that wasn't true, you kept questioning yourself.< /p>
The consequences of this emotional abuse are still built into you.
You still wonder if there was something you could have done differently that would have changed everything .
Maybe you blame yourself for not realizing what he was doing sooner.
In reality, none of this is your fault – you're just used to blaming yourself.
9. You have anxiety
After a harmful relationship, you become easily anxious.
The most common symptoms are racing thoughts, difficulty breathing , sweaty palms, panic attacks, etc. Anxiety disorders are closely linked to PTSD.
If you think you are suffering from PTSD through a relationship, don't hesitate to ask for help.< /p>
You are not alone; many people have gone through the same thing. That's why there are support groups.
The worst thing you can do is do nothing, so at least start telling someone about everything you've been through and it would be natural; It would be best if that were an expert.
PTSD can be cured through relationships. None of this was your fault and the first thing you have to do is believe in yourself.
