Anniversaries and PTSD

[ailbhe]

Linnea will be four years old in 20 days. Rob and I have been together 9 years.

I think I'm over the PTSD. Some of the remaining symptoms are just exaggerated symptoms of anxiety anyway, which means I'm down to normal levels of, um, stuff. I'm also very sleep-deprived so not really up to a proper post about it.

But we've been together nine years. It's been eventful. Full of drama, noise, books, clutter, and a growing sense of family. We've both changed a lot, but in the same direction, I think. Nine years ago I couldn't have imagined some of the ethical choices I make now, and nor could Rob. We certainly couldn't have imagined our children.

And there's no way we could have imagined that the birth of our first child would lead to such a horrendous catalogue of mental and physical trauma fucked-up-ness. But we're both off antidepressants. We've both learned to do housework and figured out who was expecting what from whom (and ow, was that a roller-coaster ride through ingrained sexisms!) and, well, it all looks set to continue.

From the outside, it doesn't look like we do much, me and Rob. The changes and growing are all on the inside, and they're slow. But we are both, constantly, changing.

Together.

I love it.

(I also like not being nearly half as mad, yo.)

Comments

[khitomer.livejournal.com]

Happy Anniversary.

Hope there's many more

[calieber.livejournal.com]

I don't feel the need to make ultimately getting off anti-depressants a goal, but I come from a cultural background that makes Rincewind look stoic.

[ailbhe]

We're off them because we no longer need them, not because we need them but are stoically rejecting medical treatment.

[calieber.livejournal.com]

If I were willing to risk coming off as hostile (without intending to) I'd point out that getting off them is no less a goal for that; since I am terrified of conflict I will leave it at I personally don't anticipate not needing them, ever.

[calieber.livejournal.com]

Er, that is, I realize it's a different situation; as I should probably have said the first time around, I'm glad you're better. At least in the comparative sense

[pauamma]

Conga rats to y'all!

Re: Anniversaries and PTSD

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

most heartfelt congratulations, and happy anniversary!

[rosefox]

*beam*

Happy anniversary. Thank you for sharing so much of your difficult journeys; I'm so glad you and your family have grown closer through the hard times.

[aquaeri.livejournal.com]

Happy anniversary, and congratulations for making it through some tough shit and coming out the other end, better people. What you do for your children is inspiring.

[k425.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, and happy anniversary.

The changes may all be on the inside, but they're visible from the outside.