topic Re: CPTSD, family court in PTSD and trauma

CPTSD, family court

Graspingforhope — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:49:35 GMT

first time poster here.

I am 2 years into family court. I’m exhausted. I’ve just finished an assessment with a psychiatrist for a family expert report. I’m ruminating on every question and every answer. My ex was cover abusive mainly through psychological abuse and control but also stalked, surveillances, threatened me. Anti social traits such as disregard for boundaries and lacks empathy unless it impacts him. Has anyone had a similar experience and gone through court and had a family assessment done? I’m so scared because my history has been that my ex is so charming and believable and I come across as the “crazy” one. I’ve lost so much confidence and self belief.

Re: CPTSD, family court

LotusAfterRain — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:15:51 GMT

Hello, hello!

A warm welcome to the forum!

I’m here to listen and support you.🤗

I can tell that you have been carrying a lot at the moment, especially after recently completing an assessment with a psychiatrist for a family expert report. I can only imagine how heartbreaking and frightening it must feel to see someone who was once a loving and gentle husband suddenly become abusive.

The content of a family assessment can vary depending on whether it is ordered by the court or conducted by social services (e.g. child protection).

It may mainly cover things such as:

any family violence or safety concerns

the family’s circumstances and dynamics

the children’s wellbeing and needs (if CP involves

the relationship between the children and each parent (if CP involves

each parent’s parenting capacity (if CP involves

I would recommend contacting a free legal aid service or a DV social worker and asking about the court process and what to expect from a family assessment. Knowing more about the process may help ease some of your anxiety, because sometimes our anxiety comes from not knowing what to expect.

Please be gentle with yourself. You have been dealing with a lot, and it’s understandable that you may feel overwhelmed after such an intense assessment.

Warm regards,

LotusAfterRain

Re: CPTSD, family court

Lana026 — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:31:44 GMT

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Two years of family court sounds incredibly exhausting, and I can understand why you’re replaying the assessment in your head when the outcome feels so important.

Experiencing psychological abuse, control, stalking or surveillance can really affect your confidence and leave you second-guessing yourself, so it makes sense that an assessment like this would bring up a lot of fear. It can also be really difficult when you feel that the other person presents very differently to others than what you experienced privately.

Try to be gentle with yourself around what you said in the assessment. You answered the questions as best you could in a very stressful situation, and you don’t need to find the “perfect” answer after the fact.

If you feel you need some additional support while going through the court process, 1800RESPECT supports people who have experienced domestic and family violence, including psychological abuse, controlling behaviour and stalking. They are available 24/7 on 1800 737 732 and can also help connect you with other appropriate services.

I hope there are others here who have been through a family assessment and can share what helped them cope with the uncertainty. It sounds like you’ve been carrying a huge amount for a long time.

Re: CPTSD, family court

Guest_10565 — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:37:04 GMT

Been through this came out of the other end of it idk I just cut everybody else I don't know who I was who I am and yeah I guess I am that "crazy person" now and my accommodation is in a low socioeconomic area I became a classic case of

you become what your around

Anyway so your crazy! Everybody is Gona call you paranoid if you got kids you got 0 chance in the next 5 years based on this post for getting them back and if you do it'll be cause you have a SO (significant other ) who's a upstanding citizen in the eyes of public or social norms

Idk what to say your post your paranoid but you might not be that's how bad it is but this is what they'll call a mental illness you are more or less likely going to be put on medication

... Gl

Re: CPTSD, family court

Guest_86458786 — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 12:59:52 GMT

I have an ex - we have settled but I need him to pay more maintenance. He continually makes me feel crazy... he makes out that I am a lunatic until I actaully start believing I am. The coercive control and emotional abuse seems to be that the "charming" men do so well. Noone believes you that they are so nasty.. and I dont know if your kids are with you [probably] but you then have noone to even share it as you ocant dump on your kids. I had five really good friends [well, I thought they were] and they all dumped me and they were the friends I thought would be my wrap around model. It is a lonely process and so draining but I think you will get through it... I think I am too. I have just got on this site, but een reading some of these posts makeyou realised that there are lots of people having a really hard time.