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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryRelationship PTSD: Signs, Causes, & How to Cope
Table of Contents:OverviewDefining Relationship PTSDSymptoms of Relationship PTSDCauses of Relationship PTSDPhysical abuseEmotional abuseWhat Triggers Relationship PTSDHow to Cope with Relationship PTSDOvercome Relationship PTSD with Talkspace
PTSDRead Time: 7 Minutes
Published On: January 30, 2023
Reviewed On: January 30, 2023
Updated On: October 31, 2023
Overview
Defining Relationship PTSD
Whether a relationship involves physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, any abusive relationship can be a source of deep and lasting trauma. Leaving the intimate relationship can potentially stop the abuse. Still, someone may continue to feel the effects of the abuse long after the relationship has ended. It can even prevent the person from engaging in another romantic relationship.
Relationship PTSD vs PTRS
A truePTSD diagnosisrequires people to show symptoms from 4 categories:
It’s possible to experience any of these symptoms after an abusive relationship, but many victims of intimate partner abuse don’t have avoidance symptoms. Instead, they may fixate on the past relationship and replay events in their head. PTRS also includes symptoms specific to relationship trauma, such as fear of an abusive partner.
Can you have PTSD from relationships?
Relationship trauma often causes additional symptoms distinct from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), but it’s possible to develop PTSD in relationships. Violence and threats of violence or death occur in many abusive relationships and can lead to PTSD. Whether a person has PTSD symptoms or symptoms more specific to PTRS, finding ways to heal from any abusive environment is essential.
Symptoms of Relationship PTSD
Even though there isn’t a documented, agreed-upon list of symptoms yet, experts do believe that the following is likely:
Intrusive
Symptoms that cause someone to re-experience the trauma of their abuse are categorized as intrusive symptoms. Examples of these symptoms include:
Arousal
Traumatic stress can put your body in a perpetual state of high alert. These symptoms are your body’s way of preparing you to respond to the threat of abuse. Symptoms may include:
Relational
While PTSD symptoms can strain many aspects of life, PTRS can cause symptoms more specifically related to current relationships. These symptoms might include the following:
Causes of Relationship PTSD
Expert Insight
Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor (LCSW-S), CIMHP, EMDRCynthia Catchings
Physical abusePhysical abuse occurs when a partner uses force against you or threatens you with bodily harm. It can include throwing objects, pushing, slapping, scratching, choking, or physically restraining a partner. Physical abuse often begins with a single incident but canescalate over time.Sexual abuseSexual abuse involves forcing or coercing someone to engage in sexual activity if they don’t consent or if they revoke their consent. It can also describe behavior intended to control someone’s sexual activity, like tampering with or hiding birth control. Examples of sexual abuse include unwanted touching or kissing, pressuring someone to engage in sexual acts, or sexual violence against someone who didn’t consent.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse occurs when a partner uses force against you or threatens you with bodily harm. It can include throwing objects, pushing, slapping, scratching, choking, or physically restraining a partner. Physical abuse often begins with a single incident but canescalate over time.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or coercing someone to engage in sexual activity if they don’t consent or if they revoke their consent. It can also describe behavior intended to control someone’s sexual activity, like tampering with or hiding birth control. Examples of sexual abuse include unwanted touching or kissing, pressuring someone to engage in sexual acts, or sexual violence against someone who didn’t consent.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse uses emotions to frighten, manipulate, or control another person’s behavior. Examples of emotional abuse include:
What Triggers Relationship PTSDWhen someone has post-traumatic relationship trauma, it can result in them viewing many interactions through the lens of abuse. These interactions could cause PTSD symptoms. There are many triggers for PTSD in relationships, including:Not being given clear directionsFeeling confused or misunderstoodIntense stimuli like bright lights and loud soundsEmotional intimacyAnniversariesBeing given responsibilityStressLoud noisesScents that remind you of an abusive partner
What Triggers Relationship PTSD
When someone has post-traumatic relationship trauma, it can result in them viewing many interactions through the lens of abuse. These interactions could cause PTSD symptoms. There are many triggers for PTSD in relationships, including:
How to Cope with Relationship PTSDWhile relationship PTSD can make it difficult to form connections with others, there are ways to manage your symptoms and heal from the trauma. When it comes tohow to deal with PTSD, first, work to develop coping skills and get the help you need. You can eventually recover from the abuse that you’ve experienced.Find ways to self-soothe:If you’re feeling distressed or anxious, practicegrounding techniques for PTSDthat will help you relax, or other methods you could use for PTSD management. For example, you can try doingbreathing exercises for anxietyor using a weighted blanket.Reach out to others for support:A robust support system can help you throughout your recovery. Talk to trusted friends and family members or join support groups for abuse victims.Try self-monitoring:Tracking your behavior can help identify triggers and make you more aware of your thoughts and actions. It can help you recognize symptoms so that you can address them.Use distraction techniques:When you think about the abuse you experienced or your abuser, look for a distraction. Watch a movie, play a game, or focus on a puzzle until the thoughts pass.Start therapy:Working with a therapist can help you heal from your trauma. In treatment, you’ll be able to talk about your feelings and experiences without judgment. Cognitive behavioral therapy, orCBT for PTSDis a popular, effective form of therapy often used in PTSD treatment.
How to Cope with Relationship PTSD
While relationship PTSD can make it difficult to form connections with others, there are ways to manage your symptoms and heal from the trauma. When it comes tohow to deal with PTSD, first, work to develop coping skills and get the help you need. You can eventually recover from the abuse that you’ve experienced.
Overcome Relationship PTSD with TalkspaceThe trauma of an abusive relationship can be overwhelming and have a lasting impact on your mental health. Talkspace is an online therapy platform that makes getting help easy, convenient, and affordable.When you use Talkspace, you’ll be connected with an online therapist who’ll help you discuss, process, and, eventually, heal from your trauma. A mental health professional can help you manage your feelings and build healthy relationships with others so you don’t have to live with the aftermath of an abusive relationship.
Overcome Relationship PTSD with Talkspace
The trauma of an abusive relationship can be overwhelming and have a lasting impact on your mental health. Talkspace is an online therapy platform that makes getting help easy, convenient, and affordable.
When you use Talkspace, you’ll be connected with an online therapist who’ll help you discuss, process, and, eventually, heal from your trauma. A mental health professional can help you manage your feelings and build healthy relationships with others so you don’t have to live with the aftermath of an abusive relationship.
See ReferencesAbusive relationships: Is a new category for traumatization needed?Debra Vandervoort et al. Current Psychology volume 23, pages68–76 (2004). Accessed October 25, 2022.The Effects of Traumatic and Abusive RelationshipsOrzeck TL, Rokach A, Chin J. Journal of Loss and Trauma. 2010;15(3):167-192. doi:10.1080/15325020903375792. Accessed October 25, 2022.Domestic Violence and Abuse in Intimate Relationship from Public Health PerspectiveRakovec-Felser, Zlatka. Health psychology research vol. 2,3 1821. 22 Oct. 2014, doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1821. Accessed October 25, 2022.
See References
Debra Vandervoort et al. Current Psychology volume 23, pages68–76 (2004). Accessed October 25, 2022.
Orzeck TL, Rokach A, Chin J. Journal of Loss and Trauma. 2010;15(3):167-192. doi:10.1080/15325020903375792. Accessed October 25, 2022.
Rakovec-Felser, Zlatka. Health psychology research vol. 2,3 1821. 22 Oct. 2014, doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1821. Accessed October 25, 2022.
Cynthia CatchingsCynthia Catchings is a trilingual licensed clinical social worker-supervisor, mental health consultant, professor, and trainer for federal law enforcement agencies. Cynthia has over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession. She is passionate about women’s mental health, life transitions, and stress management. Her clinical work, advocacy, and volunteer service have focused on working with domestic violence survivors and conducting mental health research in over 30 countries.
Cynthia Catchings is a trilingual licensed clinical social worker-supervisor, mental health consultant, professor, and trainer for federal law enforcement agencies. Cynthia has over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession. She is passionate about women’s mental health, life transitions, and stress management. Her clinical work, advocacy, and volunteer service have focused on working with domestic violence survivors and conducting mental health research in over 30 countries.
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