Immediate support
Immediate support

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.

Start a discussion

FAQ

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

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

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

View the guidelines
Categories
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

Sophie_M If you need to talk about Bondi Beach - Our community is here
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, After the heartbreaking events at Bondi Beach on Sunday night, we know many people in our community may be feeling shaken, distressed, or unsure how to make sense of what has happened. Religious and political violence has no place is Aus... View more

Hi everyone, After the heartbreaking events at Bondi Beach on Sunday night, we know many people in our community may be feeling shaken, distressed, or unsure how to make sense of what has happened. Religious and political violence has no place is Australia and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the individuals and families affected by this tragedy. We wanted to create a space where you can share whatever you’re feeling - whether that’s fear, shock, grief, or anything else that has come up for you. If you need support from others in the community, please feel welcome to post here. Violence and acts of terror can bring feelings of shock, grief, profound sadness, anger and fear. It’s normal to experience these emotions while trying to make sense of distressing events. It may take time for these feelings to ease, but it’s never too early to seek support if you are feeling distressed. Beyond Blue is here for you anytime, by phone on 1300 224 636 or via webchat: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor You can also support those around you by being available to them and listening. Thank you for being such an important part of this community, and for the kindness, honesty, and wisdom you continue to share with each other. We remind the community that Beyond Blue is here for all people in Australia, no matter what you believe, how you live or who you worship. Kind regards Sophie M

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

Start a discussion

LexxieRedrum Emotional Support Kitten - Help me Please
  • replies: 3

Hello Lovelies, Obligatory first time poster no idea what I'm doing but I hope your thoughts are peaceful. For the past ten or so years I have struggled with severe Anxiety and Depression. We are still in the middle of finding a diagnosis for what is... View more

Hello Lovelies, Obligatory first time poster no idea what I'm doing but I hope your thoughts are peaceful. For the past ten or so years I have struggled with severe Anxiety and Depression. We are still in the middle of finding a diagnosis for what is wrong. I have tried a lot of things; everything that I could think of and now I would like to ask for some help. I recently learnt about Emotional Support Animals and I was wondering if anyone here has one; preferably a cat, as I am terrified of dogs, and how that is going. I have reached out to a few local trainers and they stress that due to already having cats this may not be viable. However both my Psychologist and GP seem interested in following this path. Has this worked for anyone? I just can't help but think that having another being, a comfort with me would allow me to do things that I am currently limited from doing, but at the same time I don't want to stress out my two already indoor cats. ESAnimals don't have the same privileges as Guide dogs but there is a legal form/letter and everything. I would really like to hear anyone's opinions or personal stories regarding an animal helping with Anxiety in the outside world. This is something I desperately want to try but I don't want to ruin one's lives. Whether it be my roommates or my pets. Thanks for taking the time to read this I look forward to any input. Lexxie

Ben_Nik A day that changed everything.
  • replies: 3

The morning started out like any other. I set an early alarm to begin on another day's journey on my Euro Trip. The day was November 12, 2018. After panicking momentarily to find the station in Marseille, I found my coach 10 minutes before departure ... View more

The morning started out like any other. I set an early alarm to begin on another day's journey on my Euro Trip. The day was November 12, 2018. After panicking momentarily to find the station in Marseille, I found my coach 10 minutes before departure time. So far so good as I got comfy in my seat for a 3 hour journey. After 3 hours our Coach stopped over in Montpelier for a 40 minute pit stop. Perfect oñportunity to grab a quick bite to eat and stretch the legs. After trying to find a place open open before 11am I made my way to the McDonalds and grabbed a Breakfast Muffin and a Coffee. Looking at the time I inhaled my meal and made way for the station. Whilst relying heavily on Google Maps I got lost in the process and panic began to set in. After almost 20 minutes of frantic searching I finally found the stop where my bus would very soon be departing from. After running to the stop, I asked the driver if this was the bus heading to Barcelona, to which he replied yes. After looking less than impressed at my question, he told me to load my luggage on the other side of the coach, the side facing traffic. Without giving it much thought I made my way around the front of the coach only to be stopped in my tracks by a van driving past at 60-70km/hr. Had I stepped out 2-3 seconds earlier, I would have most likely been killed. Shaken up and angry at the bus driver ar the same time, I loaded my belongings in to the coach and tried to shake the incident off. Well that was 9 months ago, and my PTSD hasn't subsided since that day. I still get flashbacks of that day, Imagine how my family and friends would have reacted to the news of my death and I play this moment on repeat every single day. Life hasn't been easy since then. I constantly feel detached from my surroundings and daily tasks have become mammoth. The daily torment of PTSD sometimes consumes me to the point where I can't see any way out and all I want to do is get back to the life I was living beforehand.

Larry_goodsey Stress, anxiety and flashbacks with court coming up
  • replies: 1

HI. Long story short I was sexually assulted by my step dad from when I was 14-16. I also have depression, anxiety, PTSD and hella triggers from it. And I go to court on Monday and I am freaking out. Part of me wants to walk up and just do it and say... View more

HI. Long story short I was sexually assulted by my step dad from when I was 14-16. I also have depression, anxiety, PTSD and hella triggers from it. And I go to court on Monday and I am freaking out. Part of me wants to walk up and just do it and say "look you didn't ruin my life" and the rest of me is hiding and never coming out. I don't know what to do I know I have to go through with it and I am trying to put up a strong front but I am falling apart. I don't know what to do. I haven't eaten in 3 days I am fighting the urge break my streak and self harm and so utterly lost. I don't know what to do.

Gaabby Abandonment x 3
  • replies: 1

Hi all, Just sharing my experience with childhood abandonment - my past trauma is still incredibly present in my every day life. As I’ve been told by psychotherapists, it’s no wonder my issues are present, because I have had 20 odd years of telling m... View more

Hi all, Just sharing my experience with childhood abandonment - my past trauma is still incredibly present in my every day life. As I’ve been told by psychotherapists, it’s no wonder my issues are present, because I have had 20 odd years of telling myself that I’m not good enough. my Dad left my family when I was four. It took us years to realise he left to another country. No letters, no phone calls. Soon after that, my mum started a new family, devoting herself to three more children. During all of this, I became incredibly codependent on my older brother. He was truly my rock. Who eventually left me in search of my dad. i felt like, in three different ways, the people I loved the most sort out to leave or avoid loving me. To this day, I’m still fighting for quality time with my mum, trying to keep these relationships together. I now speak to my dad as well. Which is hard because you kind of have all of these expectations of how it should be, and it’s nothing like you expect. It’s distant mateship really. im just all sorts of ready to not feel fear in my present life. I’m also ready to feel like myself and my needs are worth catering to. My self confidence is 0, and my sense of worth often comes last to me. thanks all G

Charlie15 Post traumatic stress disorder after falling from a horse
  • replies: 2

Hi, I fell from my horse almost 4 years ago and broke my back. I have been able to ride with no problems until November last year when I witnessed a very close friend fall from her horse. Since then I either try to find excuses not to ride or when I ... View more

Hi, I fell from my horse almost 4 years ago and broke my back. I have been able to ride with no problems until November last year when I witnessed a very close friend fall from her horse. Since then I either try to find excuses not to ride or when I do try to ride, I have to push myself and have massive panic attacks. I don’t have anxiety or depression in my daily life and my dr has stated I have a form of post traumatic stress disorder. I so very much want to be able to ride again the way I use to. My dr has contacted a counsellor but living in the country there is a wait to get in, I’ve currently been waiting 4/5 months. I need help to work with my anxiety and get back to doing what I love and that’s riding my beautiful horse. Disclosure.... the horse I have now is not the one I came off. I did manage to ride her before we sold her and had no problem. Thank you

Mids Hopeless
  • replies: 1

Reaching out for support. I’m a midwife and feeling so sad at the moment. I have elements of PTSD, compassion fatigue and burnout. I’m spent. I don’t want to work. Don’t really want to be on earth. The only thing keeping me here is my kids and husban... View more

Reaching out for support. I’m a midwife and feeling so sad at the moment. I have elements of PTSD, compassion fatigue and burnout. I’m spent. I don’t want to work. Don’t really want to be on earth. The only thing keeping me here is my kids and husband and knowing I won’t act on my thoughts. I feel like a failure. The career I worked so hard for. I have removed myself socially (even social media), and want to hide in bed all day, but manage to make it to the sofa. If I’m rostered to work the sleepless night beforehand, the flashbacks to cases and families on birthing fills me with dread, the headache on shift. I’m drowning. It’s all too much. I have no hobbies away from Mid. I used to enjoy baking - now it’s a chore.

BB2 Overwhelmed
  • replies: 2

I am not one to seek help, preferring to work through my own issues, but lately things have been a little overwhelming and those I work with suggested I speak to someone. I thought this might be a start at expressing how I feel. I'll begin with a lit... View more

I am not one to seek help, preferring to work through my own issues, but lately things have been a little overwhelming and those I work with suggested I speak to someone. I thought this might be a start at expressing how I feel. I'll begin with a little background information. I do not have a diagnosed mental disorder, although those who know me well will say that I am a tad OCD. By and large I have always been a happy person. I have a rather full plate when it comes to family and work dealing with everything from behaviour disorders to cancer, but so far I have been able to juggle my complex life and relationships. I work full-time, very long hours, and most week-ends. Suffice to say I am often tired! I retrained late in life to enter the field of education and it pretty much dictates my life - work and home, home and work. At work I am well respected and most importantly I enjoy what I do. In fact I was having a really good year until a new student was added to the mix. Without going into detail, this student engages in violent behaviour. In my profession it is not uncommon to be physically and verbally abused. Over the years I have grown a very thick skin, however, this situation has caused me more than a little angst. I have felt fear for myself and others. I have felt frustrated, sad, worried, and helpless. I know that I have done everything humanly possible to maintain control but I still feel a sense of inadequacy. I cry without reason, and am finding it hard to concentrate. The other day somebody touched my should in passing and I burst into tears. I kept apologising for crying and started to shake uncontrollably. It was very embarrassing. I hated how it made me feel. I'm always the shoulder, never the tears. I understand what I have experienced is bound to have an impact. I'm not that naive, but the gravity I think is what has rocked me to my core. Although the student has been removed, I still feel emotionally and physically drained. I worry this feeling is more than just stress, and that it may not subside.

John_S007 Support for male victim of female narcissist abuser
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I was told today by my mental health professional i am teh victim of narcissistic abuse by a female abuser. I have looked for support groups out there, but there don't seem to be any anywhere. I am struggling greatly with the realisations of ... View more

Hi All, I was told today by my mental health professional i am teh victim of narcissistic abuse by a female abuser. I have looked for support groups out there, but there don't seem to be any anywhere. I am struggling greatly with the realisations of how much abuse ive sustained in large part without even realising or understanding this. Anyone with any pointers or experience in dealing with or healing from this kind of abuse i'd be grateful for an advice.

A_mother First time reaching out needing help desperate!
  • replies: 10

Please help anyone I'm kind of alone with no one to turn to and well to sum it all it's about my partner he has ultimately crises me with his gaslighting techniques, been together like 6 years or more I'm 27 he's 29 we have a son together who is 5 an... View more

Please help anyone I'm kind of alone with no one to turn to and well to sum it all it's about my partner he has ultimately crises me with his gaslighting techniques, been together like 6 years or more I'm 27 he's 29 we have a son together who is 5 and a daughter who is around 4 months, I feel like I've got to a point where I want my partner to just get out of my life including our kids, just tonight he screamed the house down with uncontrolled outburst cause our son was doing the usual thing trying to get to sleep but calling out to stay awake etc as you know kids do but thought it was okay to traumatise him by abusing him for not sleeping, whilst waking our little girl and scared her, and because I told him he's out of line I then got abused and left helpless picking up the pieces of a crying baby and crying 5yr old. This scene is almost if not pretty much is a daily thing, I feel so neglected and disrespected, I just wish there was a place to send these bad eggs like him but I know you can't think like that but he's made me feel like worse than the dirt on his shoe. I've showed happy face for so long and am truly depply ashamed to break up because it's the stigma associated with it, I feel like I would make life worse for the kids if we were split up as he is very manipulative and would make my life hell by bad mouthing me to my beautiful kids, I know this cause he's already used it as a threat before if I ever left him, the list goes on I feel like I could be typing for ages it's the first time I've ever reached out for help... Not to mention I feel like I'd be letting down my mum and dad for not having a perfect relationship, has anyone else felt like this or had a partner that threatens these things that he will make matters worse if you leave ? I feel like I'll never be able to ever feel the love a girl is supposed to get from a man. I feel like time is ticking and I need to figure this out in a smart way but he scares me or I guess splitting scares me not that I'll miss us it's I'm scared of repercussions... Many thanks in advance for your advice

Sadshame PSTD and Pornography addiction
  • replies: 5

Hello. I would appreciate hearing from any one who has been going through what I am going through. I have been trying to cope with my husband's internet pornography and sex addition for well over 10 years, have never told any friends or family for fe... View more

Hello. I would appreciate hearing from any one who has been going through what I am going through. I have been trying to cope with my husband's internet pornography and sex addition for well over 10 years, have never told any friends or family for fear of embarrassing him and myself!!! We are old, in our 70s, physically healthy, have been married for 53 years... he is a Vietnam veteran diagnosed with PTSD. He denies it is a problem. His addiction has caused me so much grief and sadness, I was totally heart broken and felt total worthlessness, but am okay now, in fact in many ways I am stronger but sad. I have lost all respect, trust and faith in him. I did have a little counselling and have asked him get help but he won't, says he is fine and it's none of my business. I am just so sad that this is the how life is now for us. Otherwise he is a decent man.