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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.

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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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Navy_Blue Recent diagnosis of PTSD and possible connection to years of anxiety and depression
  • replies: 29

Hello, I am new to this game however I am relieved to have found the confidence to reach out for help and support. I have been an officer in the ADF for over 15 years, I am married with three beautiful young children who are my everything.I had battl... View more

Hello, I am new to this game however I am relieved to have found the confidence to reach out for help and support. I have been an officer in the ADF for over 15 years, I am married with three beautiful young children who are my everything.I had battled depression and anxiety (and to an extent still do) shortly after returning from military deployments and at the time could not place a finger on the causes of my feelings of self worthlessness, lack of self esteem and general daily sadness. I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD and through this discovery a whole can of worms opened on several other self confidence issues and fears came into light.I am still being treated on AD but still experience bad days. To complicate and compound things more for me I am 40 years old and am just starting recovery for my second total hip replacement.My first was done 8 months ago.I have a lot on my plate and with a young family prioritising which area to focus on first is difficult as unfortunately they all feel as though one effects the other.After several years of trying to be a man and block it all away, I finally broke down and opened up and spoke in depth with my wife.Several reasons preventedd me from doing this earlier, (the PTSD issue) mainly the national security and secrecy act, but the fear of discussing my depression and anxiety with her were mainly from a fear of not being strong enough as a man or being inadequate in many ways.I still get PTSD triggers on a daily basis and as a rely I'm way over protective with my kids along with a lengthy list of other self negativity.The strong fear of not being man enough to cope with this stuff has severley effected my self confidence and I contantly feel inadequate as a man, husband and father.The fact I have 2 new shiny hips hasn't helped me in this department either.As a people pleaser in general, I am anxious that I am not good enough for my wife and that I am no longer seen as sexually attractive, strong (both physically and mentally) and fail to compare in any shape or form to her previous relationships. She remained in contact with some of her previous partners, which I have since explained hurts me, and she has promised to cease all contact.I can function sexually but she seems uninterested in any intamacy anymore. This just feeds my fears of inadequacy and self worthlessness. Just wanted to vent, looks like I have overshot my characters left... Thanks for listening, I might try and do this again soon. Cheers.

Courgette Just discovered PTSD
  • replies: 7

Hello there, I just discovered I have PTSD. Although I haven't yet had a 'formal' diagnosis, I'm reliably informed that what I experienced was a symptom. Basically, I was in an extremely violent and terrifying relationship for many years which I even... View more

Hello there, I just discovered I have PTSD. Although I haven't yet had a 'formal' diagnosis, I'm reliably informed that what I experienced was a symptom. Basically, I was in an extremely violent and terrifying relationship for many years which I eventually fled under threat of my life. That was almost 2 decades ago. I have avoided similar situations by avoiding relationships with men. They scare me frankly. Then recently, I found myself in a position where I was subject to someone else's fury, someone who I allowed myself to become emotionally involved with. What I experienced was: I momentarily blacked out. The room went white, I couldn't hear anything and my brain seemed to freeze or be about to burst, or both. Then I flew into a panic and reverted to my well-practised methods of appeasement. Has anyone else experienced similar?

Parity Feeling like I can't and won't come to terms with it
  • replies: 3

Knowing that some people have had truly horrible things happen to them it feels like my problem is tiny in comparison. Nevertheless, I'm finding it really hard to deal with. Recently my dog bit a friend of mine. He got a fright and snapped and hurt h... View more

Knowing that some people have had truly horrible things happen to them it feels like my problem is tiny in comparison. Nevertheless, I'm finding it really hard to deal with. Recently my dog bit a friend of mine. He got a fright and snapped and hurt him. Everyone has been great about it, especially my injured friend but I blame myself for not being able to prevent it from happening. I re-live it over and over (it happened right in front of me) and haven't been able to get to sleep. Everyone says it's not my fault but I can't shake it. I can't cope with the fact that I couldn't stop it. If anyone has had anything similar happen I'd love it if you could share it. Feeling confused and highly anxious and not sure how to come to terms with it.

lavendar Recovery Frustration
  • replies: 7

I have had PTSD since being assaulted by me ex a few months ago and am so frustrated by how easily triggers have pulled me back for the 4th time now. The frustration with dealing with police, trying to get into counselling, doing what I have needed t... View more

I have had PTSD since being assaulted by me ex a few months ago and am so frustrated by how easily triggers have pulled me back for the 4th time now. The frustration with dealing with police, trying to get into counselling, doing what I have needed to to move on and then BOOM a trigger knocks me back down again. I finish up at my job next week - I just can't work anymore. My workmates have not been supportive and in fact retriggered this current spell. I am so hurt by them - and withholding anger that he gets away with doing this to me (have just found he denied assault and due to lack of evidence will not be charged). I live in a community where I feel outnumbered by his associates - he is a well respected member of the community - and I feel like he is winning. All I can really do is go back to doctor for more medication and wait until I can finally get into counselling. I can barely function - I just want to hide from the world - this sucks.

Nickname_12936318-B287-40 Partner with Depression may be emotionally/verbally abusive
  • replies: 6

I'm seeking some help/advice regarding my unhealthy relationship. I've never posted about it before, so here it goes. I'm 23, and have a 4 y/o son. And have been in an 'on again, off again' relationship with his father for the past five years. He sle... View more

I'm seeking some help/advice regarding my unhealthy relationship. I've never posted about it before, so here it goes. I'm 23, and have a 4 y/o son. And have been in an 'on again, off again' relationship with his father for the past five years. He slept with four other women in the first three years of our dysfunctional relationship. The first while I was pregnant (I gave him another chance) the second (his ex) was three weeks after our son was born and he left us for her. A couple of months later he came back and said we could work things out. Then the third when my son was just under a year old. Then the fourth when my son was 2. He kept the fourth a secret for a year but it eventually came out. Now as that seems like a problem on its own, during this time and after (it has been two years now since he's slept with anyone else) he hasn't had much regard for my feelings and how I am dealing with all of it. He is dismissive, he doesn't support any decisions I make, he's always telling me what I'm doing wrong - telling me to rephrase myself, correcting me, telling me I have poor communication skills. He gets annoyed with me over such small things and it always feels like I am walking through a minefield. Any thought or opinion I state could potentially set off a huge argument, and then when we argue he puts the blame on me and walks off, leaving me feeling guilty for saying whatever I said. Nothing I do or our son does ever seems good enough. We could always do better. Be better. I've tried to leave him about four times this year as I have become increasingly anxious and depressed, however I always find myself giving him 'one more chance'. I sometimes think that maybe it's just his depression talking, but it's so hard not to take things personally when someone you love criticises you all the time. He isn't on medication, he doesn't want it and he won't seek professional help as he doesn't think it works. I however am seeking professional help as I don't know what to do anymore. Any advice or input would be helpful. Thanks in advance, Sparrow.

Luna1111 Ptsd sexual abuse
  • replies: 5

I found out about a year & half ago that my mother molestered me... i was very young & must have blocked it out But i remembered. After i remembered i told one person who then told other people. I have been so distressed & traumatised not only by wha... View more

I found out about a year & half ago that my mother molestered me... i was very young & must have blocked it out But i remembered. After i remembered i told one person who then told other people. I have been so distressed & traumatised not only by what my mother did but by the person telling other people. Its taken this long to try and face it. My mother doesnt know that i have remembered but im getting ready to confront her... i want to move on with my life without her in it.

Brokenpeices I think I'm going crazy
  • replies: 3

For the last week I have been feeling spaced out, constantly tired, dizzy, I'm also having blackouts where I lose time and memories, I'm seeing images that feel real and losing my cool over the smallest things, it's almost like my mind and my body ar... View more

For the last week I have been feeling spaced out, constantly tired, dizzy, I'm also having blackouts where I lose time and memories, I'm seeing images that feel real and losing my cool over the smallest things, it's almost like my mind and my body are seperate entities ATM and I feel like I don't have control over either of them, my body is jolting me back into reality but then I space out again, I feel like I'm going crazy and I can't do anything to stop it, I can't make it stop and I just want it to go away, I'm starting to fall deeper into my hole and I'm afraid I will hit the point of no return, I'm scared and I want to cry, I'm worried my girlfriend will leave me if I reach out for help, I'm afraid everyone will be angry if I admit myself because they will have to watch my children, but it's not going away

Niki66 Support
  • replies: 3

My fiancé suffers from PTSD from an incident where he was stabbed whilst at work several years ago and is currently in prison because he was threatened and snapped and did a stupid thing. I love him deeply and want to be a support to him. I was hopin... View more

My fiancé suffers from PTSD from an incident where he was stabbed whilst at work several years ago and is currently in prison because he was threatened and snapped and did a stupid thing. I love him deeply and want to be a support to him. I was hoping to get some feedback on the best ways to support him. I visit him as often as I can but am in a different state and I am currently unemployed so I can't visit as often as I'd like. I write to him every two days and speak to him every day. I've been told not to put any pressure on him. His sentencing is in one month and I'm praying he will get a suspended sentence. I will do everything I can to help him and keep him safe. If anyone has any further suggestions, they would be much appreciated. Thank you.

JaneC76 Overwhelmed
  • replies: 2

I have PTSD. Can't work because of it. I'm an outpatient at a psych facility. I've been battling this for 10 years. I'm a parent. I feel very overwhelmed. The emotional pain is chronic and very painful. It seems nothing has worked. I have no idea wha... View more

I have PTSD. Can't work because of it. I'm an outpatient at a psych facility. I've been battling this for 10 years. I'm a parent. I feel very overwhelmed. The emotional pain is chronic and very painful. It seems nothing has worked. I have no idea what to do anymore. Like I've used every resource and I'm still in this position.

confusedandlonely Rape PTSD and Friend's Reactions to Rape- Advice Needed!
  • replies: 17

So three years ago I was raped orally and anally at a party. At the time I was very concerned about my reputation and didn't tell anyone, though it hurt so much and I was very distraught. I even came close to killing myself a week after, but a girl i... View more

So three years ago I was raped orally and anally at a party. At the time I was very concerned about my reputation and didn't tell anyone, though it hurt so much and I was very distraught. I even came close to killing myself a week after, but a girl in my class called Kelly who barely knew me sent me an anonymous letter praising me, and it saved my life. This year, I couldn't take the pain anymore and I finally felt comfortable telling people- a therapist, my parents, and my lovely friends. I've been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and hyper vigilance. Most of my friends have been beyond brilliant, I mean none of them really understand at all, but they're trying to be there. Except Kelly. She and I are now best friends, well we have been, but after I told her she completely ignored me for weeks on end. I'm currently in Year 12 and we had been planning a schoolies trip together, to which I was uninvited after telling her what happened, and another girl asked in my place. Later when I texted her asking what happened, very upset, she replied for a bit and then blocked my phone number, not telling me. Our exams are happening right now and she says she can't talk to me until they are over, but she's still going out and drinking and having breakfast and watching concerts with my other friends, so it hurts that she doesn't have time for me. I sent her a facebook message yesterday begging her to talk to me at school today, and she said she didn't want to. It's so confusing- how could she just block me out of her life, literally? And not explain why until weeks after the fact? Is she a friend worth fighting for, because I have been, so incredibly hard? It hurts knowing when she knew nothing about my situation, she was there, but now she does and can't cope to even receive texts from me. What do I do? Do I fight for this friendship? Are exams a good enough excuse to ignore me without any explanation? Please help