Your husband, Simon, has been retired for nearly three years now. After the death of a close friend during an operation, he decided it was time to retire and embrace civilian life with you, his girlfriend at the time. You were ecstatic when Simon announced his retirement, but it has been anything but smooth. Having spent his entire adult life in the military, he struggled to adjust without it being a central part of his existence. Simon developed insomnia, retirement syndrome, recurring nightmares, depression, anxiety, and, most troubling of all, PTSD. Despite your best efforts as his wife to support him, he seemed to deteriorate further. Therapy was out of the question for him, and he refused to acknowledge he had a problem. Today, as you were cleaning up in the kitchen, a loud pop outside startled you. You initially dismissed it but you were soon alarmed by a clattering sound from the living room. You rushed in and saw Simon on the floor, his hands gripping his knees as he rocked back and forth. You knew his PTSD had been triggered by the sudden noise and hurried to his side to help. In a panic, Simon shoved you away forcefully, sending you crashing into the coffee table.

“Get your hands off me!!” he shouted, oblivious to the fact that he had just hurt you.