Photo credit: www.sciencedaily.com

Understanding the Emotional Barriers in PTSD and Relationships

Research indicates that individuals experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently encounter challenges in their romantic relationships, as highlighted by studies conducted by Steffany Fredman, an associate professor at Penn State. New findings suggest that a significant factor contributing to these difficulties may be an intrinsic fear of their own emotions.

The latest research involved 64 couples, all of whom had endured traumatic events. The study focused on how PTSD symptoms influence emotional perceptions and communication patterns between partners. Through this analysis, the researchers sought to explore the connection between emotional fears and relationship dynamics.

Findings, published in Behaviour Research and Therapy, revealed that individuals with elevated PTSD symptoms showed a pronounced fear of strong emotions. This emotional apprehension correlated with less effective communication and increased conflict within their partnerships.

“Our research aimed to clarify why individuals with PTSD often struggle with relationship issues,” Fredman explained. “Typically, those with PTSD hold negative views of both themselves and others, leading to feelings of mistrust, anger, and emotional withdrawal. These factors can severely impact romantic connections. Engaging with one’s emotions and fostering trust are vital for overcoming PTSD.”

The study illustrates the cyclical nature of PTSD’s impact on relationships. Symptoms such as aggression and avoidance not only exacerbate personal distress but can also lead to relational discord, which, in turn, may perpetuate PTSD symptoms. Such cycles persist until interventions are implemented.

To address this, Fredman has collaborated on developing couple-focused therapies aimed at breaking this detrimental cycle. Individuals suffering from PTSD may perceive emotions as threatening because of their association with past traumas. Given that romantic relationships are often rich in emotional interactions, these couples may misconstrue such emotions as dangers, prompting negative responses like withdrawal or aggression.

Furthermore, this study evaluated participants across a spectrum of PTSD symptom severity, allowing the researchers to observe how varying degrees of symptoms influenced communication styles. The results revealed that those reporting higher PTSD symptoms were more likely to feel apprehensive about their emotions, leading to less effective communication habits, such as the common demand-withdraw pattern, where one partner seeks engagement while the other retreats.

In the demand-withdraw dynamic, one partner’s attempts to address issues can trigger the other to withdraw, ultimately obstructing constructive dialogue. Fredman emphasized that such unproductive exchanges may reinforce negative perceptions related to interpersonal threats and exacerbate PTSD symptoms.

Participants with heightened PTSD symptoms also reported a significant fear of their emotions, which affected their ability to communicate effectively. The study underscored the importance of recognizing how this fear manifests in interpersonal interactions, which can hinder constructive communication.

“In previous analyses, we struggled to pinpoint how PTSD symptoms related to communication challenges until we incorporated the fear of emotions into our evaluation,” Fredman noted. “This approach clarified the connections, highlighting the fear of emotions as a crucial aspect influencing communication styles among individuals with PTSD.”

Earlier research conducted by Fredman and her team showed that those with significant PTSD symptoms often struggle to manage their emotional responses during discussions with partners. The latest study extends this understanding by establishing that catastrophic thoughts surrounding strong emotions may contribute to the communication difficulties experienced by couples dealing with PTSD.

“Our ongoing work demonstrates that couple therapy can significantly alleviate PTSD symptoms and enhance communication within relationships, sometimes in just one weekend session,” Fredman mentioned. “This recent study sheds light on the nuanced relationships between PTSD symptoms, emotion-related fears, and the resulting communication challenges, underscoring the necessity of addressing these issues concurrently.”

Contributors to this research included Jeesun Lee, a graduate student at Penn State; Yunying Le, a research assistant professor at the University of Denver; Emily Taverna, an Advanced Fellow in Women’s Health at the Women’s Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD; and Amy Marshall, a professor at Virginia Tech.

This study received funding from several sources, including the National Center for Advancing Translational Science and various fellowships at Penn State, illustrating a collaborative effort to further understand and address the complexities surrounding PTSD and relationships.

Source
www.sciencedaily.com