Book ~ "Married to Crazy: A Man's Story of Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Recovery" (2013) Clarkson Graham

From Goodreads ~ Clarkson Graham met and fell in love with Olga, the woman of his dreams. Their courtship, engagement, and eventual marriage followed. As their relationship progressed, Olga’s behavior became progressively more volatile and abusive. All along, Clarkson lived in the hope that he could “fix” her problems and live up to her perplexing expectations, until one appalling event drove him to his breaking point. 

Following therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, Clarkson finally put his life back together again and was then determined to share his experience, and especially what he had learned, with other people—and particularly with other men—who might find themselves in a similar situation.

Clarkson met Olga just before he moved out west for a job.  He was attracted to her but she was engaged to someone else.  When he discovers that she is single again, they start corresponding and he eventually gets a job back in Ontario. Olga is sweet and funny and Clarkson soon falls in love with her.  Because they want to start a family and are getting older, they get engaged and make plans to get married.  Olga begins to change and goes into a rage, freaking out for no reason quite often.  Clarkson loves her and continues on with their plans to get married.  It gets worse and he starts to wonder what he's doing wrong.  He does all he can as she rants that he isn't "validating her emotions" ... until it comes to a point where he loses himself and can't take anymore.

This is Clarkson's story to recovery.  It's interesting to read a story about a man getting emotionally and physically abused (usually it's the woman).  The author had way more patience I would have had.  In his situation, I would have left a lot sooner ... Olga sounds like a nut!  Every time Olga freaked out, I kept hoping that this would be the time that Clarkson finally reaches his breaking point.  I was happy that he finally did.  I hope he is able to recover from this experience and carry on with his life.

From the author ...

“I am not a victim, nor will I be. I am a survivor. As a survivor, I was able to subjugate my feelings of weakness and powerlessness and eventually discover the desire, courage, and fortitude I needed to access the support and resources that were necessary to begin the recovery process. I can say that my continuing growth and development has been defined, in part, by my ability to triumph over a complicated life situation, and now, with this book, I am sharing my knowledge and insight as I continue on my healing journey.“

I'd recommend this book.