What Is Post Traumatic Relationship Syndrome?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPTRS vs PTSDHistorySymptoms of Post Traumatic Relationship SyndromeGetting HelpMoving On

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

PTRS vs PTSD

History

Symptoms of Post Traumatic Relationship Syndrome

Getting Help

Moving On

Close

PTRS can occur in relationships or after the relationship has ended, and abuse can place at any time, even if it’s not frequent or chronic.

For example, a breakup in which a partner who has not previously behaved harmfully but acts in a manner that isemotionally,verbally,sexually, orphysicallyabusive during the breakup, can cause PTRS. Though it is not a formal mental health diagnosis, research on the subject identifies it as a real disorder.

It’s important to note that people sometimes joke about a relationship having given them PTSD. Though some relationships or partners may be unhealthy, PTRS refers to a relationship in which abuse occurred. Joking about getting PTSD from an unpleasant breakup or bad relationship may be harmful to those with actual PTRS, while also creating further stigma that makes it difficult for people to recognize abuse, speak up, and ask for help.

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PTRS vs PTSD: Understanding the Difference

Considered a subset of PTSD, PTRS has some fundamental similarities with PTSD. Mostly, it is the fact that a traumatic event has left you in a state of hyper-vigilance, restlessness, and persistent distress.

Traumatic events naturally take time to process and many times require professional intervention. It’s common for people to experience intrusive thoughts and unstable mood while they are in their healing process. In that respect, PTSD and PTRS are similar. However, there are other key differences between the two:

The History of PTRS

Mental health professionals believe that for PTRS to occur, abuse has to have taken place in a relational context, the abuse could have taken place throughout the relationship, or at any point during the relationship or breakup.

A person may realize they have PTRS after their breakup, when they find themselves unable to “get over” the relationship, have a hard time forging new romantic connections, or experience symptoms that seem like PTSD.

These are some of the most common PTRS symptoms:

How to Get Help for PTRS

As with any mental health issue, there is help available for PTRS. Although some people can learn to manage PTRS on their own, therapy with a trauma-trained professional is highly encouraged to help them process the event/events. If symptoms are severe and interfering with daily functioning, a visit to a psychiatrist would be recommended for symptom management.

Therapy

Though any type of therapy can be helpful for a person who has gone through a traumatic relationship, the best choice you can make in looking for help to recover from PTRS is to work with someone who understands trauma and relationships. This means that atrauma therapistis a good choice, especially if they also specialize in relationships. Somatic therapies like EMDR, somatic experiencing, IFS, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and EFT are some of the modalities that may be employed.

If you can’t find a trauma-informed therapist, you can work with a relationship therapist if symptoms are mild. They should also be able to help you employ strategies to move past the trauma of your relationship, though they may not have as strong an understanding about the symptoms you’re experiencing.

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Psychotropic Medication

For those who are struggling with symptoms of PTRS, visiting a PCP or psychiatrist for symptom management can be beneficial.

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Moving on

If you’re in the throes of PTRS, it may seem impossible to believe that you’ll ever have a healthy relationship again. But people tend to feel more hopeful after processing trauma and managing symptoms.

There is no specific timeline for recovery from PTRS but most people report improvement in symptoms between six months and a year after receiving the right support.Although recovering from trauma is challenging, most people report higher satisfaction when they treat their symptoms. The work may be tough, but it’s worthwhile, and it will set you up to be in more positive and healthy relationships in the future.

If you are currently in an abusive relationship, help is available for you. One option is to contact theDomestic Violence Support Line, where you can communicate with an advocate via call, live chat, or text. They will help you talk through your current situation, and can work with you on creating a plan to get you out of it.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: a case illustration.Clinical Case Studies. 2006 Jun;5(3):231–47. doi:10.1177/1534650104264934Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: the conscious processing of the world of trauma.Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal. 2003 Jan 1;31(7):675–85. doi:10.2224/sbp.2003.31.7.675Amnie AG.Emerging themes in coping with lifetime stress and implication for stress management education.SAGE Open Med. 2018;6:2050312118782545. doi:10.1177/2050312118782545

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: a case illustration.Clinical Case Studies. 2006 Jun;5(3):231–47. doi:10.1177/1534650104264934Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: the conscious processing of the world of trauma.Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal. 2003 Jan 1;31(7):675–85. doi:10.2224/sbp.2003.31.7.675Amnie AG.Emerging themes in coping with lifetime stress and implication for stress management education.SAGE Open Med. 2018;6:2050312118782545. doi:10.1177/2050312118782545

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: a case illustration.Clinical Case Studies. 2006 Jun;5(3):231–47. doi:10.1177/1534650104264934Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: the conscious processing of the world of trauma.Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal. 2003 Jan 1;31(7):675–85. doi:10.2224/sbp.2003.31.7.675Amnie AG.Emerging themes in coping with lifetime stress and implication for stress management education.SAGE Open Med. 2018;6:2050312118782545. doi:10.1177/2050312118782545

Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: a case illustration.Clinical Case Studies. 2006 Jun;5(3):231–47. doi:10.1177/1534650104264934

Vandervoort D, Rokach A.Posttraumatic relationship syndrome: the conscious processing of the world of trauma.Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal. 2003 Jan 1;31(7):675–85. doi:10.2224/sbp.2003.31.7.675

Amnie AG.Emerging themes in coping with lifetime stress and implication for stress management education.SAGE Open Med. 2018;6:2050312118782545. doi:10.1177/2050312118782545

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