Struggling to communicate when distressed

Make flash cards. We used them with our nonverbal students in schools. You can have flashcards for all sorts of things and you can add more as you go.

I usually go into give up mode and sound like I don’t take him seriously because I also go non verbal when these things happen and it just happened last night and I just sat there in a daze trying to figure out how to make everything better all at once and wow it was scary but eventually he calmed down and I think it’s just important to explain from the beginning that if you are silent it’s because you really don’t know what to do next or how to help the situation. Not because you don’t take them seriously.

i go through the same thing friend ❤️ itll be ok. when you find the time youre in a better headspace, just have a converstation with them and explain how you feel! communication is the #1 most important thing in any relationship, and i stand by it. when im really distressed, i isolate myself, and i warned my partner about that. as long as youre actively trying your best, they will see that. ❤️

Boy do I wish there is something that could/would help with stuff like that. My now-ex-g/f broke up with me because she was supposedly so sick of me "closing up and shutting down" everytime she triggered something in my PTSD during an argument. And I admit I hate how I feel during and after one of my "system crashes" like that, but I could/can never seem to be able to stop them from happening 😥

Thank you both ❤️

I knew someone who went frequently nonverbal and they carried a little whiteboard around lol. But like Bassbeard said, it would probably help you and your partner if you talked to them during a time when you're in a better headspace and sort of explain how you're feeling when you go nonverbal. That might ease some of their anxiety. It would also be good to try and explain that they don't need to panic because when you eventually go verbal again, then you can talk to them about it, so it's just like a little delay in the conversation.

I've had to have talks with my Fiance about what is really going on in my head when I become nonverbal. I find it easier to write it down before I talk about it because I'm really bad at articulating my thoughts. But she's also really great at understanding and not taking things personally. I also continually reassure her that it's not caused by anything she says or does. I'm in the boat with you my friend. ❤️