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PTSD and trauma

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Sophie_M If you need to talk about Bondi Beach - Our community is here
  • replies: 6

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

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MiaL Family Issues (Emotional Abuse, Sexual Harassment) Reaching Breaking Point
  • replies: 5

Hi. This is my first post but I need to get this off my chest. I am a university student. I am set to graduate mid next year. I can not afford to move out until then. (I do have a job but it is only part-time). Lets get started. - 3 years ago my step... View more

Hi. This is my first post but I need to get this off my chest. I am a university student. I am set to graduate mid next year. I can not afford to move out until then. (I do have a job but it is only part-time). Lets get started. - 3 years ago my step father made several sexual advances and comments towards me. He also purchased various sexual items and inappropriately asked me to use them and tell him how I used them, etc. I only told my mother about this three days ago. It elicited a mixed response, with her mostly being upset I didn't tell her earlier. I felt helpless, I could not tell anyone because I knew he would hurt me. Today, he told me to 'stop being the victim' and get over it. - My step father has (mostly) emotionally and (on a few occasions) physically abused my mother for as long as I can remember. (He moved in with us when I was 4). He yells at her in public, at home, and uses obscenities every time, absolutely deteriorating her self-worth and mental health beyond what little there was left from her troubled childhood. He controls her finances and she has no friends. - My mother growing up was extremely protective of me as I was born 22 weeks premature and to a schizophrenic father, so naturally she was very cautious about what I was doing/what was happening to me. This resulted in me feeling extremely alone and helpless because of her constant problem-picking, often telling me I was the reason for the issues in their relationship (my step father has said this as well). I have been staying at my boyfriends place for the past week to just get away from it all. I have since spoken to both of them, whom of which they have apologized, yet told me that I am the reason for a lot of this happening. Confronting me alone, my step father told me to get over it all and told me to think about what I've done in ruining their relationship. I have the option of moving in with my boyfriend and his family. They are aware of what has happened and do not want me living in such a toxic environment that certainly affects my own lack of self-worth, depression and severe anxiety. Frankly, I can't take it anymore. What should I do?

emily96 PTSD after being sexually abused on drugs
  • replies: 2

I'm really new to this but really appreciate that there is a place to go to talk to people when I don't want to talk to a therapist or my family about what has happened to me. Last year I was living in Scotland on exchange. Being a normal college stu... View more

I'm really new to this but really appreciate that there is a place to go to talk to people when I don't want to talk to a therapist or my family about what has happened to me. Last year I was living in Scotland on exchange. Being a normal college student, I was really into the party scene - drinking, drugs. I met a guy that was living in the flat below mine and we started chatting one night during a Flat party. He invited me to his room to smoke some weed, which I agreed to. I thought that we were nothing more than friends. I had way too much weed, and felt instantly sick and like I could pass out. I was a zombie. He recommended I sleep it off in his bed which I stupidly agreed too. A little while later, I woke up to him on top of me. I couldn't fight him because I was still so limp from the drugs. I ran away from his flat when he went to the bathroom and had to face him a lot since he lived below me. I remember that at the time I didn't think it was sexual abuse because I had taken the drugs, and I had put myself in that situation, and because he acted so normal with me every time I passed him in our building. I didn't tell any friends, or family at all because I was so ashamed of myself - I should have known better. A year on, there hasn't been a day that I haven't thought about it. I've never had any anxiety over it until recently. I've started becoming afraid to have sex, and I've had a couple of anxiety attacks when sex has been initiated with my boyfriend. It's like I'm in a dreamlike state when I look at him sometimes because he seems so foreign to me, and I start to get really terrified of him. I've told my boyfriend about it and he is so supportive. I know that it's better to talk about it but I can't even imagine telling my parents because I can just see how disappointed they would be in me for being so naive in that situation. I know that it's easy to say to victims of sexual abuse that "it's not their fault", but in my situation I really can't see how it wasn't my fault. I've never been so embarrassed. I don't really know what I'm expecting to get out of posting this as a new thread - I guess it would really help if there's anyone out there that has been abused while they were under the influence of either drugs or alcohol, but at the same time I know that there's not that many people that would put themselves in that sort of a situation. Thanks for taking the time to read my thread. It's been helpful just writing out my experience.

Rabbits91 Major anxiety after car accident.
  • replies: 2

Hi guys. About a year ago now I managed to get hit by a massive truck and totally destroy my car, walked away somehow with only a few bruises when it all honesty it could have killed me. In the past year I've found myself getting a little more worked... View more

Hi guys. About a year ago now I managed to get hit by a massive truck and totally destroy my car, walked away somehow with only a few bruises when it all honesty it could have killed me. In the past year I've found myself getting a little more worked up over driving on the road but nothing major, just being more careful when turning etc. I do sometimes imagine though at intersections being hit by someone out of nowhere because when I did get hit I didn't even see the guy before he rammed into my side. That does kind of panic me a bit as I pass them but I feel like I can deal alright. Last weekend however I went on a road trip with my best friend who drove the whole way. She's still only a beginner p plate driver and I found myself freaking out the entire time she was driving, looking out at every intersection, checking her mirrors and being a horrible backseat driver by telling her to slow down or look out every minute or so. She got pretty annoyed with me (understandably) and said something along the lines of that she was a good driver and I was only making her more nervous and I needed to stop. I did, but found it extremely panic inducing, not having control of what was going on. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to calm down a bit and just let other people drive. I feel like otherwise I've been pretty okay with dealing with everything. I got straight back into a car after the accident and haven't stopped driving since. Just a bit slower and more careful as a driver which I don't think is a horrible thing. When I'm driving with myself the only issue I found is when passing over intersections or doing u-turns because I'm just v. anxious that someone will slam into me again from a blind spot and it'll be too late for me to do anything.

Brizzie Opening up
  • replies: 2

I am struggling to talk to my gp partner and phycologist about my past . I feel like I. Getting no we're

I am struggling to talk to my gp partner and phycologist about my past . I feel like I. Getting no we're

badooli Sibling abusing entire family
  • replies: 1

Hi, this is my first post. My brother physically, emotionally, and verbally abused my mum and dad. Often I was told to wait in another room while my parents tried to calm him down. This went on for 7 years. My brother has several mental health issues... View more

Hi, this is my first post. My brother physically, emotionally, and verbally abused my mum and dad. Often I was told to wait in another room while my parents tried to calm him down. This went on for 7 years. My brother has several mental health issues. He has finally moved out of home but he argues constantly w my parents and threatens to kill himself if his demands aren’t met. This has left my parents stressed and exhausted. But now mum, dad and I all have PTSD. i just wanted to know if there’s anyone out there who’s experienced the same thing? All the research is geared towards sibling to sibling. also does this come under the ‘domestic violence’ aspect of ptsd?

josh123456475 Struggling with PTSD from sexual abuse, attempting to find solution to nightmares
  • replies: 4

I was sexually abused at school and bullied horrendously, im now 19 and this all happened when i was 13-15. I started working in the health sector and had something trigger my PTSD. I am seeing a pshycologist and on anti depressants but it hasn't don... View more

I was sexually abused at school and bullied horrendously, im now 19 and this all happened when i was 13-15. I started working in the health sector and had something trigger my PTSD. I am seeing a pshycologist and on anti depressants but it hasn't done anything. I can't sleep at night due to nightmares, I have trouble leaving the house during the day due to anxiety. I have been told for the last 4-5 years by all my medical professionals and parents that its going to get better however if anything it has only gotten worse. When i reproted it to the school they just pretended it didnt happen and covered it up. Does anyone have any suggestions on getting to sleep or getting over nightmares, I was looking at the possibility of a service dog, but dont know what to do.

EagleFreedom Im still here
  • replies: 1

Hi I have a severe case of cptsd. Long term isolation. Can't seem to find a way out. Im going back to therapy. This is pure hell.

Hi I have a severe case of cptsd. Long term isolation. Can't seem to find a way out. Im going back to therapy. This is pure hell.

Lana_1 Relationship with psychological abuse. How to end up?
  • replies: 9

Hi. Im scared to end up our nearly 3years relationship. We set up a date for wedding, but I’m not feeling it’s the right decision. I’m getting more and more depressed. I tried to end up our relationship before , but my fiancé always stopped me firstl... View more

Hi. Im scared to end up our nearly 3years relationship. We set up a date for wedding, but I’m not feeling it’s the right decision. I’m getting more and more depressed. I tried to end up our relationship before , but my fiancé always stopped me firstly saying that he will change but recently he is threatening me to sue financially, by saying that all his friends from interstate booked their accommodation, and he would not let it happen. Also he won’t let me get my belongings from his house, saying that he will call police on me. Thanks. I don’t know what to do. Help me, please.

Christi Suspicious letter at work, stressed after incident
  • replies: 2

I received a suspicious letter at work and walked it (a bit half harted) to the mailroom from there it escalated very quickly, next thing I know I was isolated in the first aid room, police, ambulance and fire brigade on their way. Ambulance advised ... View more

I received a suspicious letter at work and walked it (a bit half harted) to the mailroom from there it escalated very quickly, next thing I know I was isolated in the first aid room, police, ambulance and fire brigade on their way. Ambulance advised first aider to roll me on my side should I become unconscious (not nice to hear that, worried me heaps) police turns up, the ladies from the mail room join me in quarantine. The ambulance turns up, vital check everthing fine but asked me to come with them just in case. Tried to find out my chances as I am not keen on hospitals and was worried that it would cause rumors at work. We all decided to stay in the work first aid room. Fireman opens the door and advised that they found a powder, we all start to panic and second guess our self for not going to hospital. Few minutes later police confirms that there is nothing to be concerned off and gives us the all clear. We are not poisoned and will not die today! Since then I feel so drained, empty and stressed, I am just a temp in the company...will I loose my job? Police advised me that I could have harmed people in the lift when I walked the letter to the mailroom and I should not do that. My direct manager didn't even ask if I am OK this morning one up from my manager just asked half heart (racing past) you alright?

KLOVE Not Able To Feel Closure-Child Sexual Abuse
  • replies: 6

I was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a pedofile in my church when I was a teenager. 10yrs ago I proceeded with legal action against him & as a result other victims came forward, reported him & we've successfully had him charged, convicted... View more

I was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a pedofile in my church when I was a teenager. 10yrs ago I proceeded with legal action against him & as a result other victims came forward, reported him & we've successfully had him charged, convicted & jailed. He has also been dealt with by our church & removed as a member. He has been exposed in the press aswell. However, my pain & PTSD still remains. Rather then being able to "enjoy" the fact that justice is being served, I can't feel any relief or peace. Why am I still hurting emotionally & mentally?