A touch of every disorder? I need feedback please!

I have been with my significant other for close to a year now. I feel as though he fits the bill for just about every mental disorder I have studied.

A little background....he is an army veteran, dx with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Also suffers from severe alcoholism. He has obvious symptoms of PTSD. But he has displayed and continues to display the following:

Lack of empathy, illogical thoughts, lacks attachment, sudden bouts of crying that is unusual and out of the norm, fascination with death, suicidal ideations (one attempt in the past with a bottle if tylenol) hears voices (that tell him to hurt people and animals), has lied about being terminally ill, fakes broken bones, has an unusual/extreme attachment to animals, has a very low sex drive for a 20-something male. He also doesnt own up to his faults. He has not been physically abusive but I told him tonight that sometimes he scares me...and instead of a normal response, he ignored my comment and continued to make excuses for other actions.

His father has bipolar disorder. No other familial diagnoses that I know of. Im a little frightened to be honest. He is going to get help soon but I just dont know...will this ever work? I feel deep down he is a good person but then its like a switch, he just flips (usually after drinking). Is anyone experiencing something similar?

Hey nlovewithwho,

We aren't going to be able to diagnose him here either, though it stood out for me personally that he is an army vet... if he is suffering from post traumatic stress, if that's what is going on, it isn't something he can just get over and also if so it's no reflection on you. Just something he is going to need a lot of support and help with.

He has been out of active duty for 7 years now and I know this has caused many of his issues. He has done therapy in the past but is longer getting any. I don't know anyone else like him. I know there are many others...but his behaviors are so extreme and cause me pain and I don't know how to deal with them. He starts an im patient program tomorrow. I know you can't diagnose him but do you think with long term therapy and education for myself as well that we may be successful? I just want to know if there's someone like myself (free of mental illness) is with someone with similar problems as him...and if they make it work.

Thanks for responding!

Definitely get help... I can't tell you how differently my life might have turned out if I had been diagnosed 25 years ago instead of 7 months ago. Whatever his diagnosis turns out to be, it sounds like you both know he needs help, and you might as well get some help for you, too, if your planning to stay in this relationship.
BTW, I have Bipolar Disorder but I tell people all the time it feels like having a little bit of every disorder: obviously depression and anxiety, but also ADHD, PTSD, OCD, autism, alzheimer's, schizophrenia... the list goes on and on!
Best of luck to you.

Hi nlovewithwho,

He is very fortunate to have you to care about him. I agree, for both your sakes, please have him diagnosed assuming he is willing to accept help.

p.s. In terms of guessing, yes I think you are right. It is very possible he has a mix of things going on, such as clinical depression, or bi-polar disorder, plus post traumatic stress. All the more reason to see someone though.

Thank you both so much! Hes started some in patient treatment so we will see how it goes. Hopefully successfully!