PTSD and trauma

A space for discussing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), domestic abuse, sexual abuse and other trauma. Please note some content may be distressing.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Community Manager
You can win one of five $100 gift cards. Complete our survey by 5pm, 27 June 2025 AEST to enter the draw. Your response will be anonymous so you can't be identified.

Pinned discussions

A_Tech PTSD for Medical and First Responders
  • replies: 276

Hi, Well obviously this my situation. I was hoping to find others here that might have a similar background to chat with, it can be so hard to talk about this stuff with non-med people (and I mean no disrespect, it's just often graffic or upsetting t... View more

Hi, Well obviously this my situation. I was hoping to find others here that might have a similar background to chat with, it can be so hard to talk about this stuff with non-med people (and I mean no disrespect, it's just often graffic or upsetting to others). Im a 40 year old female that has spent the last 10years in the State Trauma Hospital as an Anaesthetic Technician. My PTSD was brought about after years of exposure to shocking traumas, deaths, and no support from management. I would love to hear from anyone that has a similar story, or just wants to chat. Cheers

All discussions

Guest_10220 Moving forward - slowly , but surely gaining pace.
  • replies: 2

Hello, I am getting better , but have been through the mill . My credentials as a survivor of child hood sexual and physical abuse are there. As is my illness and many , many hospitalisations for mania over 30 years as a result . I saw Psychiatrists ... View more

Hello, I am getting better , but have been through the mill . My credentials as a survivor of child hood sexual and physical abuse are there. As is my illness and many , many hospitalisations for mania over 30 years as a result . I saw Psychiatrists for 13 years , a PTSD Psychologist for 2 years and have been with my current Psychologist for 7 years . So, I have put in the hard yards . SO, I wanted to say - it is possible to become well - even I did . Yes, I am on 80 , webster packed , tablets a week - BUT - people need to know - YOU can get better .

ScooterCat Struggling to move on
  • replies: 6

(Safe: in my room listening to music) How do you even move on from all the things people have told you as a child? Growing up, my parents weren’t involved in my life. They used to criticise me, say that I’m a bad person, and tell me that I have to do... View more

(Safe: in my room listening to music) How do you even move on from all the things people have told you as a child? Growing up, my parents weren’t involved in my life. They used to criticise me, say that I’m a bad person, and tell me that I have to do certain things to make them happy. They didn’t care to understand or show any empathy whenever I did something wrong. Even something as small as not finishing my dinner or breaking a glass would incite a lot of criticism. They’d ask me things like ‘why are you always like this?’ and ‘why can’t you be more careful?’ They’d make me feel like a bad person and that I could never change. They’d also make me feel like I was responsible for making them happy - like I had to do something in order to please them. If I didn’t do something, like get good grades in class, they’d withhold any form of affection and ask why I didn’t do any better. And then they tried justifying their abuse, saying that I should be grateful that they at least give me the basic necessities, like food and clothing. They said I shouldn’t feel upset because I could have had it worse, which made me doubt my emotions and feel like they weren’t valid. It’s not fair my parents broke my self-esteem. They made me believe I deserved to suffer, like I had to keep hurting myself because I didn’t deserve anything good. I’m angry that they made me feel I could never achieve anything no matter how hard I try. I’m sad that I struggle to even move on in life, while everyone else is in uni and getting jobs. I’m sad that I’m stuck cleaning up the mess they made.Because of them, I never got to have a proper youth. I never got the chance to explore new things or find new people. I kept to myself and pushed people away because I felt no one would ever listen or be there for me. I felt embarrassed for having any emotions, like it was somehow not right to cry whenever my parents abused me. I thought that I was a burden to everyone and that the whole world would be better off without me. It’s hard to move on from these feelings, let alone talk about them. You keep wanting to talk about these things and ask for help, but then some voice tells you ‘you can’t do it’ and ‘no one would understand.’ And so you give up.

Guest_50069561 My dad has cancer and wants another baby
  • replies: 1

I've never done anything like this before. I think I just need to talk because so much of this just gets ignored at home.My dad was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer the other day. He's been given at max 5 years to live. A random bump on his neck an... View more

I've never done anything like this before. I think I just need to talk because so much of this just gets ignored at home.My dad was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer the other day. He's been given at max 5 years to live. A random bump on his neck and BAMN... No more dad soon. I got told I wasn't allowed to be sad or cry. All he wants is for everyone to be happy and pretend everything is normal. It's not normal. My step mother refuses to admit it's there. Says I'm trying to cause problems by talking about it. Mind you it's been 3 days since the diagnosis. I'm the eldest of 5 kids (on my dad's side), being 20 years older than my youngest sibling. And the minute he told me all I can think about is how my little sister is going to grow up without a dad. Him and my step mother had been trying for another baby for a year before they had her. As much as I disagreed with my 55 year old father having a newborn it wasn't my say. But now it seems even more selfish. They want to try for another baby before he goes. And I just can't take it. They keep pretending like everything is fine. That they just want to experience life and have a big family. I'm 21 and have to cope with the fact I won't have a father anymore. How can they expect my 10 ye old and younger siblings to understand? He already wasn't going to see my sister graduate high school. Now he won't even get to see her go. They already didn't have the father I had growing up due to his age, and now they will have none. Anytime I try to acknowledge or talk about this they shut me down hard. Tell me I just need to "think positively". About all the good times we will have until then. But all I can think about is after. A life where I don't have my dad anymore. A life where my siblings will see a photo of him and have no idea that's their dad. I don't think I can smile and pretend everything is ok. Not when I'm the one driving him to surgeries and radiation. Not when my little siblings ask if dads ok. Not when all they want to talk about is trying to have another baby. I know they might just need more time to process what's happening, but I'm just so scared. And being quiet and smiling isn't helping.

anonymous73737 sexual assault and relationships
  • replies: 1

When i was 15 i was sexually assaulted by my boyfriend at the time on several occasions. I never pressed any charges against him because i was really young and scared of what would happen. Since then I've been drugged and taken advantage of by a numb... View more

When i was 15 i was sexually assaulted by my boyfriend at the time on several occasions. I never pressed any charges against him because i was really young and scared of what would happen. Since then I've been drugged and taken advantage of by a number of guys since which has really destroyed my self worth and confidence. As a result of this I've developed generalised anxiety disorder which has further impacted my everyday life. I now go to uni and don't speak to anyone, stay in my room the majority of the time and it's been 4 years since it first happened. I've tried to get into relationships since but it feels like my brain always tries to pick apart every guy and find a reason not to trust them so I haven't been in one since because i usually end it before i can get hurt. I just want to be able to live a normal life again but reaching out and talking to actual people about this is way too hard for me to do still. I want to get better, but taking those steps feels impossible for me still. I just feel like I'm forever trapped in a loop of not being able to trust anyone, and picking apart good people for the smallest of reasons. Right now I'm talking to someone again who I really care about and I feel it happening again but I really don't want to ruin this again. I want to be able to trust this person but I'm terrified of enduring that abuse again. I just want to move on with my life but I don't know how to since I've never talked in depth about what i went through with anyone.

Catie 08 Scrambled 2.0
  • replies: 5

I've been away from the forums for a while but tonight I felt it right to reconnect.I've been doing quiet well however I was triggered by a movie I watched and now I feel like I'm back down the rabbit hole.My childhood abuser passed away some years a... View more

I've been away from the forums for a while but tonight I felt it right to reconnect.I've been doing quiet well however I was triggered by a movie I watched and now I feel like I'm back down the rabbit hole.My childhood abuser passed away some years ago and I regret not feeling able to speak up to the authorities and my family sooner so he could have been made accountable for his actions. I have recently found out where his wife moved to and feel like I need to take this opportunity to contact her before she also passes. I know it wasn't her who caused my trauma but she also didnt stop it. I know I feel the need to contact her but I also don't know what I would say, I just know I would regret not taking the opportunity before it no longer exists.

Positivityshine 40 male with Childhood trauma PTSD
  • replies: 5

Good evening everyone. Don’t know if I’m having a mid life crisis or that “thing” hidden in the closet is starting to creep out. im a 40s yr old male with steady job, lovely family with kids. My wife is brilliant with nurturing kids and looking after... View more

Good evening everyone. Don’t know if I’m having a mid life crisis or that “thing” hidden in the closet is starting to creep out. im a 40s yr old male with steady job, lovely family with kids. My wife is brilliant with nurturing kids and looking after me. I am a very lucky man. couldn’t ask for a better life. However, my only darkest secret is that I’ve be exposed to sexual abuse as a child by family members and mentally physically abused by my step siblings. Been hopping to guardians one after the other due to parents not being committed. Not pointing any fingers but the shamefulness is real. On the surface level, I’m a well spoken, family oriented, fatherly figure man but on the inside, lack of self esteem, disengage and shameful I’m always trying to be positive in front of everyone and to my family. I do not want my children to experience what I have endured as a child. i’’m addicted to porn (daily basis) and tends to avoid my wife because i feel disgusted by myself. No one knows about my abuse history and addiction. i don’t have anyone to talk to and don’t have the courage to seek specialist. I’m currently applying ‘self diagnoses” by studying psychology related courses. I guess this is a head space for me to vent and a place to grasp for some air. Sorry to keep rambling but I’ve already feeling much better. please join in for discussion. Positivity shines and I believe we are powerfully to overcome our shadowed past. One step at a time.

Halecia Too much trauma in 2013-2025
  • replies: 1

Hi, I’ve been through a lot and I’ve a lot of my unwelcome family members tell me that I have no right to feel empowered. Well I’ve blocked and crossed them off. As I don’t need that. I’ve always had a fairly solitary adulthood. I had isolation from ... View more

Hi, I’ve been through a lot and I’ve a lot of my unwelcome family members tell me that I have no right to feel empowered. Well I’ve blocked and crossed them off. As I don’t need that. I’ve always had a fairly solitary adulthood. I had isolation from 16-26 but from 12 dealing with childhood and my parents divorcing. I met men and was clinging due to lack of affection and love from my family. The relationships ended usually after a year in disaster. I met men on dating sites. Back then flip phones had limited access to Dating Apps. I always went on chat. I felt I could connect on line. I would still go out. At 18-20 and meet guys in night clubs. But I would always want to talk online. I had a lasting relationship at 17-19 which ladted 2 years. I was kicked out by my parent so I had no choice but to move in with him. When we broke up I stopped seeing my friends. And I took the break up pretty hard. I was really isolated and became even worse so I was manipulated my my older sister to go live at home with my Mum. My mum is Evil. Witch. She feeds off my me falling in life. Not doing well. So she use to call the police on me and kick me out for doing the house work wrong. I was eventually kicked out and I had no choice but to go into a ShareHouse - At 22 - where I met a man who physically assaulted because he made fun of me for my life style. This went on where the Police were called at different properties for 3 Years. Up until 2012. I then went and searched back on line for another comforter and I met a 29 Year old called Joel. Where he assaulted me. And gave me Phycological breathing problems which affected my anxiety. He invited me back to his house. A 30 minute drive. Where he would call the Cops to kick me out, again. He insisted that I keep him as a boyfriend whilst I was trying to get away from him. He abused me through Emails, verbally and then applied to have an intervention order put on me because he abused me. I tried to keep away from him but he kept sending me emails knowing I’d check them, saying things like - I know where’s you live. I told my dad. And the police. My dad I was so estranged and distant from. But the authorities just told me to work on my own Self. I’ve copped it and gone through trauma. Plus been in hospitals and been mistreated for 10 years. I live at the beach. And I Want another reality. I Think. I’m 37.

Bloom39 Physical Intimidation and Breaking Household Possessions: Struggling to recognise violence?
  • replies: 2

It's been a while since my last forum post about in the depression section but I can't seem to avoid drama in my life. I'm beginning to think it's a 'me' problem. I'm supposed to be cramming for my assignment but this topic weighs heavily on my mind.... View more

It's been a while since my last forum post about in the depression section but I can't seem to avoid drama in my life. I'm beginning to think it's a 'me' problem. I'm supposed to be cramming for my assignment but this topic weighs heavily on my mind. I have a sibling called S. I got into an argument over unintentionally provoking their dog in order to stop my dog from being chased and attacked. I know that S's dog is overly reactive to loud noises but adrenaline fully kicked in when I saw it mouth my dog on the neck and yelled because my dog has been attacked UNPROVOKED multiple times by this dog. Anyways, S yelled over me for shouting at the dog when I was trying to explain, then proceeded to walk towards me in an aggressive manner and shout pretty much in my face. I honestly thought that I would gonna get hit. After that I talked it out with S and apologised for my outburst; honestly told them what I thought about their dog not being muzzled trained even at home, being over-stimulated around guests and having a history of attacking my own dog and family members and they were calm at that point. Anyways, doesn't sound too violent right now so I'll mention what scares me. S has gotten mad in arguments before, to the point of breaking things. Things that don't belong to them. In fact, even my bedroom door is screwed - I'll leave that up to imagination. So, when S walked towards me, I honestly thought I was next to break. I know that I messed up massively with their dog, but at what point is walking up to someone to shout crossing the line when I can hear them perfectly from across the room? That being said, I am extremely tempted to call the police the next time they react like this over anything, even stress. I understand being crazy angry but I struggle to understand making someone feel unsafe even if they're reacting inappropriately towards your dog. Anyways, I know I'm a bum, but I feel like an unsafe bum? P.S. They also said that I was not acting my age after they slammed a chair down (the same type they broke previously) and walked into what I think is my personal space in retrospect . That seemed pretty hypocritical...unless I'm a real bumbum. Also I don't really think of them as a sibling after they called me retarded (I draw the line at that point) so I think there is some internal conflict about whether I care about getting authorities involved. Thanks for your time and please enlighten me with wisdom so I can act my age. Best wishes

DarkQu I don't know what's wrong with me
  • replies: 5

I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel like I'm always on an emotional roller coaster. I'm new here. I feel like I've reached out to help from GP before and because I have a child that has high level autism I'm just dismissed with not much mental ... View more

I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel like I'm always on an emotional roller coaster. I'm new here. I feel like I've reached out to help from GP before and because I have a child that has high level autism I'm just dismissed with not much mental help I feel like I'm so alone qu I'm sick to trigger I have angry outburst. I cry a lot. I feel so defeated and so alone. I tried to say that I'm going to be better but I feel like I'm stuck in the same cycle and I want so much better for my kids but I just can't seem to get it together

Guest_10170 Abuse.
  • replies: 5

So, when I was 4 I was put into a foster home. And I was abused awfully every day until I was almost 15. I spent almost 11 years in that House, this year I turn 18 and I’m not exactly sure how to cope with the sudden change in my environment. I feel ... View more

So, when I was 4 I was put into a foster home. And I was abused awfully every day until I was almost 15. I spent almost 11 years in that House, this year I turn 18 and I’m not exactly sure how to cope with the sudden change in my environment. I feel like my trauma has made me more jumpy and less trusting. I have a new family now including an adorable younger brother and an amazing mother and father. but recently this abuse has come back to haunt me in ways I could never have imagined I’ve started acting out even to my parents and brother and I’m scared that I’m gonna do something to hurt them. I just wanna be a good daughter and sister but I feel like my trauma is corrupting me and making me a bad person. everyone I talk to about this doesn’t seem to understand that I do genuinely fear becoming like my abusers. I’ve gone to therapy and I’ve done the medication and the treatments. but I feel like at the end of the day it’s very much monkey See monkey do is there anything I can do to prevent myself from going down that path?