Support
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 conversation

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 conversation

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

Start a conversation

Little_B Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • replies: 2

I've been experiencing signs of PTSD over the past month or two stemming from when I was a child and had a ver traumatic childhood. Forms of emotional and physical absue, separation from a parent and I never had a stable homelife wherever I was. My m... View more

I've been experiencing signs of PTSD over the past month or two stemming from when I was a child and had a ver traumatic childhood. Forms of emotional and physical absue, separation from a parent and I never had a stable homelife wherever I was. My mum was also diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar and anxiety when I was 20, after she had been treated with severe depression since she was 16. This misdiagnosis caused further trauma to myself as I had to deal with a lot growing up and after she was diagnosed properly I then cared for her whilst studying full time at uni and I was also in a very abusive relationship. I have mentally blocked out things from what happened to me when I was a child, however, recently I have been getting flashbacks and nightmares. I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety and irrational thinking. It's affecting so many things in my life and I'm so scared that I'm going to lose them. Mainly my relationship with my wonderful partner. I tend to push people away and not let people in when I'm experiencing anxiety or negative thoughts as I've always had to look after myself and now I'm so worried that any partner no longer feels the same way about me. He also suffers from mental health problems and I support him through that. He had a bad episode early last month and I helped him through a lot of it. I've never been treated for any kind of mental health problems but I'm going to see my doctor this week to see if we can set up some kind of counselling or perhaps a mild form of medication as I would rather take on the PTSD using therapies and not rely on medication. I'm usually a highly positive person but I've had quite a lot of worries and events in my life happen over the past 8 months and I think the excess stress is what has triggered things. if anyone can offer me some advice that would be amazing. Thank you

Br1sbaneg1rl Confused :(
  • replies: 12

Hi, I’m really struggling at the moment. My story; I have recently broken up with my partner, I love him but he’s said and done things recently which have really hurt me. We had been together a year, the first few months were bliss and then he starte... View more

Hi, I’m really struggling at the moment. My story; I have recently broken up with my partner, I love him but he’s said and done things recently which have really hurt me. We had been together a year, the first few months were bliss and then he started to change, if I said the wrong thing he would flat out ignore me like he was teaching me a lesson, withhold sex and tell me I shouldn’t have said or done this or that. He had always been a little possessive but I took it as though he just really loved me, he has no friends, and isn’t close to his family so I was the only one who he could rely on. He’d often try and make me feel guilty or change plans if I made them with my friends or family and if I didn’t, he’d use it against me to further guilt me. It felt quite innocent until he started losing control of his temper, the look of anger would consume his face and eyes and then he’d hit something, punch something or hit his head against the wall. I’ve never been frightened like that before, I didn’t know that side of him existed and every time he would tell me that I drove him to do it because I wouldn’t shut up or I’d say something to trigger him. I didn’t speak with anyone until only recently but she mentioned that he sounded like a narcissist and I was being emotionally abused. The man I fell in love with was a sweetheart. I had been going through a tough time for months and it was becoming so overwhelming that I lost my appetite, had trouble sleeping and would become nauseas eventually vomiting. Sometimes a few times each night for a period of days. My partner became aware of this and asked if I was pregnant. I told him no, he’d asked me to get an implant in my arm which I had very early into the relationship. A couple of days after we had an argument and he told me if I fell pregnant then he would expect me to have an abortion and if I didn’t, he would most like resent me and the baby. I was devastated that he could say such a thing, I couldn’t breath I was so upset and all he just walked away and laid on the couch. He blames everything on me and will not accept any responsibility. I would break down in front of him and he would roll his eyes. What I’m struggling with most right now is that it feels like I had been sleeping next to someone I didn’t know for a year and I feel like he tricked me. I don’t know if he is a narcissist or if this is emotional abuse but this doesn’t feel like just a break up, I feel like something has been taken from me.

PTSDone_with_this My Story
  • replies: 4

I found this today, currently crying under my blankets and decided to share. for the last two years I’ve been dealing with a mental break, and have been diagnosed with PTSD My step father was Physically, Mentally and emotionally abusive as was my sis... View more

I found this today, currently crying under my blankets and decided to share. for the last two years I’ve been dealing with a mental break, and have been diagnosed with PTSD My step father was Physically, Mentally and emotionally abusive as was my sister, my mother was indifferent and didn’t really care. Since I was four I’ve feared for my life, I’m currently living with my sister after running away from my parents and I’m finding life with her just as hard as it was when we were children, she treats me like a servant because I fear her then makes me feel guilty if I speak out of turn. My journey into recovery has just begun and I’m terrified and feel alone and outnumbered. Does anyone have any tips for me on dealing with guilt, self depreciation and living with an abuser? thank you so much

TealRibbon Surviving trauma therapy
  • replies: 8

Hi, I’m new here. I was hoping to find some people who I can share with and support each other on the way. I have a history of childhood sexual abuse and have been in therapy for years and a few times admitted to hospital. My therapy at the moment is... View more

Hi, I’m new here. I was hoping to find some people who I can share with and support each other on the way. I have a history of childhood sexual abuse and have been in therapy for years and a few times admitted to hospital. My therapy at the moment is really overwhelming and leaves me confused and numb a lot and I was hoping to find people here who know what I’m talking about. I don’t want to share any more details about my abuse, it’s more about helping each other in be here and now. Thank you.

Lici My PTSD story *trigger warning: child abuse, physical violence, domestic abuse*
  • replies: 41

Hi all, I've been thinking about starting this thread for a day or so now, I'm hoping that my story may help others in their PTSD journey, and maybe myself too. I was physically and emotionally/verbally abused throughout my childhood by my brother, m... View more

Hi all, I've been thinking about starting this thread for a day or so now, I'm hoping that my story may help others in their PTSD journey, and maybe myself too. I was physically and emotionally/verbally abused throughout my childhood by my brother, mother and stepfather. I grew up in a loveless environment and learnt from an early age that being as invisible as possible was the only way to survive. Once I started high school, the abuse at home was added to by bullying at school and when puberty hit that's when my mental health issues started to really show. When I was 16, my stepfather locked my dog up in a tiny corner of the back yard and I couldn't get over to feed him so my mum gave him away. When my stepdad got home that night, I yelled at him and instead of hutting me like he usually would, he packed his bags and left. My mum blamed me and kicked me out of home. I lived on the streets for a few months before moving into a youth home. I struggled through life for a few years thinking that no-one understood me or loved me etc. I met a boy and we moved in together when I was 18. It was through him that I met D (not her real name). D and I became like sisters. I had never had such a close friend and I had never felt happier in my life. After a few years my relationship broke down and so did D's. We helped each other through our breakups and she introduced me to some friends of hers. We started going nightclubbing as a group and things started looking up again. That's when things changed forever. One night in 2000 D and the girls turned up at my home. They were angry and forced their way into my house. For three hours they beat me up and broke my jaw. D then took everything of sentimental value to me and threatened to harm my 3yr old brother and 6yr old niece if I went to the police. I went to the hospital and called my mum. I told her what happened and then I called the police. I lied to them at first. I was so scared. After spending three days in the hospital I went back to my mum's place. I could no longer enter the house I had lived in for years without having panic attacks. After a while I met another man and we ended up living together. He had BPD and I wasn't equipped to deal with it. He became abusive and I ended up moving out. I was put into a housing trust unit and that's when I became agoraphobic. I hadn't received the PTSD diagnosis yet and for a few years locked myself away. There's a happy ending to this, but I'm out of room.

Wrieghn Begin Again: Starting again after abuse
  • replies: 3

My story started when, after suffering depression and an eating disorder, i was raped at 17. It then happened again at 19. I was also sexually harassed In a scary way at various jobs. When i was 20 I ended up getting into a relationship with an abusi... View more

My story started when, after suffering depression and an eating disorder, i was raped at 17. It then happened again at 19. I was also sexually harassed In a scary way at various jobs. When i was 20 I ended up getting into a relationship with an abusive alcoholic. He wasn't abusive right away, it happened slowly. Over time he became more controlling and verbally abusive, then slowly the physical and sexual abuse started. About 3 years into the relationship I got sick, very sick. My ex would steal my pain medication and was very controlling about me seeking medical care. At one point i was in agony for almost a week before he let me seek care and I ended up needing to be hospitalised for nearly a week. After 4 and a half years i finally managed to leave him but he continued to threaten and harass me. After 7 months of going back and fourth to court I finally got a year long family violence order. That was a month ago. I have since been diagnosed with complex PTSD and after having to leave my studies and work due to stress and abuse related physical illness (which i have been in and out of hospital for 18 times in the past 2 years or so) I find myself starting my adult life all over again at 26. It's hard beginning again but with baggage, not knowing where to start or get help. I guess I will just have to work is out as I go.

AmJp What would you consider physical or emotional abuse and how would you go about dealing with it?
  • replies: 13

Hi, I'm in a bit of weird relationship, been together for 3 years and it's her first relationship. She comes from a really high-intensity household, a lot of yelling and so on, so obviously she follows suit in that behaviour. I, on the other hand, am... View more

Hi, I'm in a bit of weird relationship, been together for 3 years and it's her first relationship. She comes from a really high-intensity household, a lot of yelling and so on, so obviously she follows suit in that behaviour. I, on the other hand, am a very calm and cool person and have a very hard time understanding her aggression. Her aggression as you can probably tell comes out in some interesting ways, insults(calling me fat), pushing, silent treatment, threats (to end the relationship) and a couple angry hits when she lashed out. I've never been physically hurt that bad, she has hit me but not to a point where I was sore and I can very easily walk away from the situation or stop the fight completely. I always try to stay calm when we are fighting and have never hit back, nor do I ever say anything mean. From what I can understand, when we are fighting I always try to lighten the mood and put a smile on her face, which normally works for the time, but always comes back up later on as I am the bad guy. There is also some more confusing things, like the other night we basically broke up and we live together so it was really awkward and now she has crawled back to me and acted like nothing ever happened, now she is really anxious because she doesn't understand why I am still upset. This has happened quite a few time throughout the years too. During a really bad time of depression in my life, she was there to recommend medication and did help a bit, but also during that time she also called me weak and that I was making it up and the likes. In summary, it really seems to me that because of her upbringing she's very, "build a bridge and get over it", while I dwell on things a lot more. Because of that time in my depression and how she reacted I genuinely consider her a bad person and do resent her for it, still to this day she is very unempathetic and has said that she hates me, doesn't find me attractive and so on. I'm not sure if I am wrong in my judgement of her though, she's tough and nasty but also a well put together person and she is also quite smart, she works a good job and has decent morals for her career at least, but it just seems to me that she is kind of a sucky person, whilst everyone else thinks she is an angel. Honestly, I do feel a bit lost, am I the problem? Is my judgement inaccurate? I don't know who to turn to and of course, I feel weak for considering what she says and does to me as abuse?

arap An introduction and saying hello [Trigger Warning: physical and sexual assualt]
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone. I am currently going through a lot and dont really have anyone I can talk to. In a nutshell, when I finally left my abusive husband I found out he was also abusing my children. He molested my daughter, whipped my older son with bamboo, t... View more

Hi everyone. I am currently going through a lot and dont really have anyone I can talk to. In a nutshell, when I finally left my abusive husband I found out he was also abusing my children. He molested my daughter, whipped my older son with bamboo, terrified my younger boys and even managed to turn my middle son against his family who has now disowned the rest of us because we believed and backed my daughter when she finally disclosed her abuse. 2 weeks ago he was convicted for what he did to my daughter after a trial that has left her an emotional wreck to the point where she has self harmed. As I am the only adult and need to be the strength that holds everyone together I haven't been able to face or deal with the trauma from the abuse I was dealt, the trauma and horror and guilt that came with the realisation that my children also suffered at the hands of that monster, the trauma and stress of the trial and being torn apart by the defence lawyer, the grief that comes with one of my children being so brainwashed by my ex that he has disowned me, and the rest of my family and during the time all this is going on being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and all the fun things that go with that ...the list goes on and seems endless, but the bottom line is I feel like I am screaming on the inside but have to be the sole support system for my family so I just keep stuffing it down. I am feeling very isolated and alone, physically restricted due to the RA and I guess even lonely, but at the same time I withdraw from everyone except my children, to the point where I won't or at least cant bring myself to answer my phone Anyways, thats me. Its nice to meet you all - hope to chat with some of you soon

Dotajoli How do I survive the betrayal .. [Trigger Warning: sexual abuse]
  • replies: 16

Hi I need advice on how to survive the betrayal from my husband and stepsons! my daughter disclosed sexual abuse by all 3 of them and I am just gutted.. I have loved this man for 14 yrs and treated these boys as my own.. I have let my daughter down b... View more

Hi I need advice on how to survive the betrayal from my husband and stepsons! my daughter disclosed sexual abuse by all 3 of them and I am just gutted.. I have loved this man for 14 yrs and treated these boys as my own.. I have let my daughter down by bringing these 3 into our life and I have no idea how to move forward. i have moved us out of our home but feel so isolated and alone because I've lost my best friend..plus feel like the past 14 years was just a lie.. Any survival suggestions?

cbell PTSD- Newbie
  • replies: 3

I just wrote my story but kept saying I was over the word limit. I have joined the site and would love to find other positive inteligentt support. Looking for growth not to wallow. I have been listening to Erkhart Tolle . It may help others? Often sa... View more

I just wrote my story but kept saying I was over the word limit. I have joined the site and would love to find other positive inteligentt support. Looking for growth not to wallow. I have been listening to Erkhart Tolle . It may help others? Often sad and alone.

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright � 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map