Walking on Eggshells: The Lived Experience of Partners of Veterans With PTSD

Partners of Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently serve as the primary caregiver yet their experiences are not fully understood. This study examined internet discussion forum posts authored by female partners of male Veterans with PTSD. Themes raised by the primary caregiving partners included: all-consuming effects of the illness, walking on eggshells, ambiguous loss, alone, and facing PTSD as a unit.