My partner suffers from PTSD (undiagnosed). They were raped as a child but never sought help for it or told anybody. They refuse to see a therapist - is there any way I can persuade them to?
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Last Updated: 12/21/2020 at 8:54am
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Anonymous
October 15th, 2018 9:28pm
You can not force them to do something that they do not want to do. All you can do is be there for them and support them. Maybe ask if they want to get some professional help when they feel a little more confident. Try learning about things that may help. Just try and support them as much as you possibly can. Because they will need you to be there. Even if it is reminding them how much you love them. They just need someone that they feel safe wit to confide in. Just try and be there for them. Don't press them to much towards it because it could make things even worse.
Trauma is different for every person. Professional help can be very important, but if your partner is not ready to open up or talk about it to a professional, don't try to force it upon them. Try to have them open up to you about it. Let them know that you are there for them and will love and support them in this difficult situation. Over time, you can persuade them to seek help from a professional, but if this is something they aren't ready to do yet, respect their wishes and try to understand how they are feeling. The best thing you can do is show them how much you care about them and make them feel loved.
The time needs to pass and your partner needs to become ready to seek help by themselves. In the meanwhile, you can just be next to them and support them to the best of your ability. And, even maybe see a counselor, if supporting your partner becomes too challenging.
They are going through a trauma processing that may take years before they even recognize what is happening to them.
As a result of rape, some particular behaviors may occur, like self-doubt, manipulation, feelings of rejection, self-sabotage, selfishness, promiscuity, self-mutilation and eating disorders, self-isolation and flashbacks, blame shifting and justification, critical attitude and problems with authority. These are normal and expected reactions in a person who has undergone rape.
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