I want to ask if you could please be kind because this is quite traumatic for me to talk about, but I do need advice.
A couple of years before meeting my lovely DH, I was in a horribly abusive relationship. (13ish years ago).
This relationship was not very long in the grand scheme of things, only a year, but had a huge impact on me and left me in absolute pieces. I did eventually rebuild my life, and met my DH, and we’ve been happily married for several years now.
My ex abused me when he was frustrated about “something “.. which I had an inkling about, but was never totally sure. I did ask him a couple of times if he was gay but he would always adamantly deny it. Without going into all the details, eventually lots of things came out, cheating on me (with both men and women), massage parlours, other things.
He was arrested once for assaulting me, I ended up in hospital needing to have glass removed from me.
When it ended, I lost obviously him (thankfully!) but also a lot more, as I’d moved literally to the other end of the country to live with him, so I had to come back to my family home and leave my job - again, very very long story, but no other choice at the time.
As I said, though, eventually, I rebuilt my life, something I’m proud of myself for doing.. and met my DH.
You could not get two more opposite men than my ex, and my DH.. DH is gentle, kind.. loving.. faithful.. I love him with every bit of my heart, and I’m so grateful for him coming into my life (vom! Lol)
A few years ago now, I found out that my ex had come out as trans and now lives as a woman. This was.. unsurprising to me.
Now, finally, after all that rambling, I come for to the reason to my post (thank you, if you have stuck with me this far).
For many years now, I think starting around the time I got married, I’ve had regular AWFUL nightmares. They are extremely vivid and feel very real when I am having them. It’s pretty much always the same dream, but different locations.
In the dream, DH has dumped me and I am completely distraught and begging to get him to take me back, but he won’t hear of it.
I would say this is happening on average once or twice a month, although there have been periods of time over the years when they have been a few months between the dreams.
I do not mean to sound braggy but DH and I are genuinely so happy together! I trust him completely, and know that he would never treat me as my ex did.
The dreams are clearly anxiety related to what my ex put me through, but I REALLY want them to stop, they are very disturbing and I’ve woken up crying before.
Does this sound like a form of PTSD? I am wondering if therapy would help? Has anyone else had therapy for similar reasons and did it help you?
Any advice appreciated.