Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious mental health condition that may be brought on by exposure to trauma. Whether your spouse experienced injuries while in the military or witnessed others in dangerous situations, they may develop this condition and need support to overcome it.
Many people in the military develop PTSD. For example, around 11 to 20 of the men and women who served during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom developed post-traumatic stress disorder within a given year.
For people who were already involved in relationships that may have been struggling, the addition of PTSD could add strain that results in the end of the relationship.
PTSD increases the risk of divorce
The divorce rate for couples where at least one person has PTSD is up to 70%, which is, and should be, alarming. Part of the reason for this is that PTSD often goes undiagnosed. Other times, people may deny that they have a problem and refuse to seek help for the condition.
PTSD is not often the only cause of a divorce, but it can increase the stress of a relationship and result in two people going their separate ways.
What can you do if your spouse has signs of PTSD?
If you believe that your spouse is showing signs of PTSD such as anxiety attacks, depression, night terrors or others, then you should talk to them about seeking help. This condition can be treated successfully in many cases. However, if you are concerned that your spouse is dangerous or that you are at risk, then it is important for you to look into other options, such as separating or leaving the relationship.
If your marriage isn’t working, there is no fault in divorcing. Underlying stressors, as well as new diagnoses, can make it difficult to make your relationship work. It is necessary for both people to do what they need to do to be in a healthy, happy environment where they are able to give and receive love. If that is no longer the case in your relationship and you would like to divorce, it’s possible to seek a military divorce and to walk away from a hurtful situation.
