PTSD and Trauma

Found out my ex is escorting, what to do

replies: 3

Hi Complicated situation. A bit of background. I was with my ex for 8 years, we have a 5 yo child. Towards the end, i was subject to immense amounts of emotional and verbal abuse. it culminated in a ohysical assault on me. She has bi polar, clinical ... View more

Hi Complicated situation. A bit of background. I was with my ex for 8 years, we have a 5 yo child. Towards the end, i was subject to immense amounts of emotional and verbal abuse. it culminated in a ohysical assault on me. She has bi polar, clinical anxiety, tourettes (just ticks) and is on about 6 anti depressents, antipsychotics and benzos. I have been supportive and kind since the breakup, but feel a bit like a doormat. Tried to reconnect a few times, didnt work out. But she clearly needs me for emotional support, as she has no one else. My issue is that i care for her, but i now know something that makes that almost impossible. She left her ipad at my house last week; i had a look at the history. What i found shocked me. It was clear she was using our daughter to manipulate me - often threatening to deny access for no reasons, joking with her only friend about it. It hurt to find out I had been used, she would often tell me she was low and needed my help and i provided it, because i care. What was worse was finding out she had been escorting. She had been selling her body on a website - and i have the screenshots of the conversations with her clients. To say i was devastated is an understatement; not for myself, but for the potential risk to our daughter. With her serious mental health issues combined with some pretty bad choices, i am not sure what to do with the information. She knows i know, i rang her as soon as i saw it. My question is, do I let her family know so they can intervene? Do i use the info to go for sole custody of my daughter? My fear is that if i let others know she might contemplate self harm from the shame. On the other hand, i be a gentleman and keep it to myself, i feel like i am watching a slow motion train wreck. What to do? Intervene or keep my mouth shut? I am so worried.

I have it all. Theres not much said about Schizophrenia that develops with depression, PTSD, bipolar and anxiety during age

replies: 11

Hi everyone. Very new to this. I am a current full-time paramedic, and have also worked full-time as a career firefighter internationally and interstate. I have also taught for an Interstate Ambulance service and volunteered for numerous emergency se... View more

Hi everyone. Very new to this. I am a current full-time paramedic, and have also worked full-time as a career firefighter internationally and interstate. I have also taught for an Interstate Ambulance service and volunteered for numerous emergency services. In my day, I had to lie about getting these jobs as the stigma is and was tremendous and I would not of got these jobs if I advised them I had a mental illness. But come today, and my work knows and is nothing but supportive as the workplace has come a long way. In short, at 19, I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and have battled since with depression, PTSD, anxiety and to some degree bipolar. I am now in my early 40's with a family. Healthy family. I have been institutionalized 8 times but got up and back on the horse every time. It has been hard, so hard but its a battle and even today i still struggle but with a very good psychologist, the right attitude and obedience with medications I have done it all. People don't realise that hospital is a massive trauma in peoples lives and should not be overseen but in relevance to that it can be the best thing. Some of the stories I could tell are pretty funny but inspirational. Mental health should not be a block in anyone's life in regards to family, work and friends. Not saying its easy but well worth it. I have also had the privilege of traveling all around the world and I always believed you are either the victim or survivor. a great man once told me, you control your illness, not your illness control you. I want to volunteer with advocacy, teach, destroy stigma, guest speak, give insight and help people with whatever mental health someone has but have no idea how to do this. I feel bored with my paramedic work and want to come into the mental health arena advocating for people but not sure how to do this and if anyone can give some advice? And also I would love to be of service with the threads but not sure where to start? Thank you

Respect for belongings

replies: 2

I am quite obsessive and noticed some of my clothes would go missing never to be returned and others would be returned in different places or old for new replacements, damaged for undamaged or stained for unstained. My psychiatrist said it sounds lik... View more

I am quite obsessive and noticed some of my clothes would go missing never to be returned and others would be returned in different places or old for new replacements, damaged for undamaged or stained for unstained. My psychiatrist said it sounds like pranks and there is nothing I can do about it. I had a colleague say to me "if you are good, we'll give you things, if you're bad we'll take things away". I have never recovered from it and can't afford to make ends meet for myself, let alone subsidise someone or group who think they are entitled to items they do not own. A doctor said to me it is clandestine behaviour management which I see as unproductive, psychological abuse and terrorism, not just theft. I don't know what to do. It seems that when I plan ahead, just what I need is missing or has been moved

Nightmares

replies: 3

Every year in February I have nightmares. February is, what I call, my 'anniversary month' ...... the month when all of the worst things that have happened to me. Not all in the same year, but all in February. It's just weird how one part of my brain... View more

Every year in February I have nightmares. February is, what I call, my 'anniversary month' ...... the month when all of the worst things that have happened to me. Not all in the same year, but all in February. It's just weird how one part of my brain never fails to go into denial ...... You know, like I tell myself that all that trauma is in the past and I'm really not affected by it at all ..... and then February comes and the nightmares begin again. It happens every year. It's like I fail to recognize or accept that this nightmare effect thing is almost like a permanent side effect that I'll never be rid of. And my nightmares are always so incredibly vivid and in full colour. Sometimes I'll wake up immediately after it, and if it's dark in reality, and dark in the nightmare, then I don't know whether it's real or not. For a few seconds I can't tell reality from the nightmare and my heart feels like it's going to jump right out my chest. Anyway, only 24 days to go of February. I'll be okay. And I'm guessing I'm probably not the only one who has nightmares. My slogan for the month of feb? "This too shall pass." ........ Not that I want to wish the time away. But I feel like having a countdown helps. It's a reminder that I can do this. I CAN get through this month without losing my mind like I did when I was young. Or youngER, anyway!

Need advice regarding trauma. thank you

replies: 2

Hi guys, this will be long. but I just need someone to listen and if you have advice, i’ll be so grateful. so basically i’ve never gotten help for my trauma. I suffer from severe anxiety, ptsd and depression. last year I went off my meds because I th... View more

Hi guys, this will be long. but I just need someone to listen and if you have advice, i’ll be so grateful. so basically i’ve never gotten help for my trauma. I suffer from severe anxiety, ptsd and depression. last year I went off my meds because I thought i was getting better. I was in an abusive relationship for 3 and a half years. this relationship caused my ptsd (it was a physically abusive relationship ) in 2018 I met my second partner and so far everything is great and healthy, but 3 months in I started to feel panicky and depressed and paranoid. I worry he will hurt me and leave. I am constantly anxious. I’m not sure why I am feeling like this again. my bad dreams are back again too. why is this happening? a part of me feels like it’s because I have so much undealt with trauma. it started in childhood. I was molested a few times by different people. there is one event in particular that was really bad but i can’t remember all of it. it’s like something is missing. then when I was 12 I had anorexia, which I never had therapy for. the logical side of me is thinking it has to be all of this unresolved trauma? and i feel so angry all of the time. I barely have any friends. my boyfriend is supportive, but I need friends too. but i’m also scared to make new friends incase they hurt me as well. i’ve lost many friends over the years. I feel disconnected and scared. I want to get help but I am terrified to face what i’ve been through. I’m really really terrified. I don’t know what to do. to make things worse, my family lives far away. I miss them so much but I don’t want to move back where they are because i’d be away from my partner. I feel very weird all of the time. i’m not sure how to explain it but it’s like brain fog? I feel exhausted constantly, and on guard. something doesn’t feel right. Please help. any tips would be appreciated. thanks for listening

People Unknowingly Reacting To PTSD

replies: 1

I'm currently at uni and live with other students. Something that comes up is how people react to personal traits of mine. These traits come from trauma as child/teen, I get called a pushover and weak willed. People often tell me that I need to be mo... View more

I'm currently at uni and live with other students. Something that comes up is how people react to personal traits of mine. These traits come from trauma as child/teen, I get called a pushover and weak willed. People often tell me that I need to be more demanding and stick up for myself. I'm now well know for these traits and if someone talk's about me these are what comes up the most. It hurts cause these traits aren't something I'm proud of but sticking up for myself had dangerous consequences, it's not as simple as being more assertive. Is there a way that I can tell them that I hate being called those things. I'm trying to boost my own confidence but it's hard when people talk about you this way.

Approaching anniversary of Black Saturday Ideas wanted to prepare for likely triggers

replies: 30

I was caught in a bushfire which destroyed our house when I was a child. We had to remain in the burning house until the burning bush outside died down so we could escape by foot. Reports of bushfires caused extreme anxiety from then on even if I was... View more

I was caught in a bushfire which destroyed our house when I was a child. We had to remain in the burning house until the burning bush outside died down so we could escape by foot. Reports of bushfires caused extreme anxiety from then on even if I wasn't directly impacted. In between I managed OK. Black Saturday & the following weeks we had bushfires near to our home. Close enough to get burning embers landing around our home. Since then I have been diagnosed with PTSD & things which prior to Black Saturday were not issues have become triggers. There are currently reminders on TV radio etc that the 10th anniversary of Black Saturday is approaching which I find triggers my anxiety. I'm interested in hearing from others experiencing similar issues or those with ideas to deal with the situation

Is it just depression or is it PTSD?

replies: 21

Hello. Throughout my 20's, (im 32 now) i suffered with a couple cases of bad times, but now i think it was depression. once is my early 20's. about 22 for 2 years and then 30 to 32. both to do with relationship breakdowns, (not initiated by me),,,,, ... View more

Hello. Throughout my 20's, (im 32 now) i suffered with a couple cases of bad times, but now i think it was depression. once is my early 20's. about 22 for 2 years and then 30 to 32. both to do with relationship breakdowns, (not initiated by me),,,,, both situations left me completed destroyed as a person as I Love fully, but then crash after a breakup.....both occassions resulted in flashbacks, serious withdrawls from social situations, inability to function propoerly, constand brain fog. not able to feel good. bad sleeping patterns.....etc......is it depression or something worse? maybe it is PTSD? my doctor gave me referral for a CT scan due to my constant pain in my head, or brain fog. Im concerned about the radiation side effects. Ans will it find anything? clarity would be appreciated

Introduction

replies: 2

Hi my name is Caz and l am currently have that feeling that feeling of doom. I have PTSD, depression and anxiety. Taking medication and though it helps l still get concerned about my feelings. Nightmares are really bad and l feel so bad when l wake u... View more

Hi my name is Caz and l am currently have that feeling that feeling of doom. I have PTSD, depression and anxiety. Taking medication and though it helps l still get concerned about my feelings. Nightmares are really bad and l feel so bad when l wake up harming my partner. I

Having difficulty using the site.

replies: 1

Can anyone tell me how to search for threads i have put up? Many thanks Ishy

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PTSD for Medical and First Responders

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Found out my ex is escorting, what to do

replies: 3