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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Just Sara Is PTSD a new mental health epidemic or a psychiatrist's go-to diagnosis? (WARNING! May contain trigger content)
  • replies: 9

Is PTSD over diagnosed? Is knowing I have PTSD helpful for my recovery? Is there a science behind PTSD? Is PTSD the new Mental Health buzz word? Should PTSD from domestic trauma be called something different from that of war veterans or emergency wor... View more

Is PTSD over diagnosed? Is knowing I have PTSD helpful for my recovery? Is there a science behind PTSD? Is PTSD the new Mental Health buzz word? Should PTSD from domestic trauma be called something different from that of war veterans or emergency workers? Is there a difference? These questions have come up for discussion in my circle over the past couple of years since I was diagnosed as having chronic PTSD with anxiety/panic disorder. I've not only faced cruel generalisations, but also accusations of putting it on as an excuse and unkind comments about my lack of resilience. I would like this space to be one of relevant information, healthy/helpful/respectful discussion and wise/experienced counsel; my intent is to dispel myth and stigma about PTSD, so when the term is used on this forum, it can be understood better by those reading as well as people who post. WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS OR THERAPISTS AND CANNOT GIVE INDIVIDUAL ADVICE OR REFERAL as per the rules of posting. If facts are used, it would be preferable to reference authors, books, research or current study etc. Beginning a sentence with; "I heard once..." or "I saw a documentary/movie the other day..." should be taken/given as experiential instead of fact. When using personal experience from traumatic events, please try to keep to topic and be mindful of member's feelings. There are many other threads dedicated to trauma for people to share/contribute and ask questions. This thread is to discuss what PTSD means to society and psychology/psychiatry from a lay person's perspective. Do any of the above questions resonate with you? Please discuss... Sara

Emma77 Should I disclose sexual abuse to my new psych?
  • replies: 6

Ok, I know what answer my question is probably going to get, so I’ll rephrase it. Does anyone here agree that it’s ok to NOT disclose CSA to a psychologist? I saw a new psych for the first time last Monday, and of course, she wanted my family history... View more

Ok, I know what answer my question is probably going to get, so I’ll rephrase it. Does anyone here agree that it’s ok to NOT disclose CSA to a psychologist? I saw a new psych for the first time last Monday, and of course, she wanted my family history. When I started to touch on it, just a tiny bit, she had lots of empathy and pointed out how strong I was to survive it. Seriously, hadn’t even scratched the surface. I know the fact that I don’t want to talk about it shows that I haven’t processed it, but I’m just so tired of telling people about the abuse, and them telling me that’s what causes my anxiety and panic. Because I can’t change being a survivor of abuse, and if that causes the anxiety, then I can’t cure the anxiety, so what’s the point. Sorry, I know there’s a lot here. I’m still trying to digest my decision to not tell her.

Blondie1989 I was recently in a car accident and my symptoms have become worse
  • replies: 2

I don't know where to start, i feel like I have had so many events to bring me to what I have become I always try an stay positive an over come my negative thoughts but I let them take over. I just broke down an cry I have overwhelming pacnic feeling... View more

I don't know where to start, i feel like I have had so many events to bring me to what I have become I always try an stay positive an over come my negative thoughts but I let them take over. I just broke down an cry I have overwhelming pacnic feeling. Sometimes as a release I want to do is clean I become shakey an my breathing changes, I feel in control an I block any bad thoughts out by doing this, other times I just want to sit an cry in the shower an feel so numb. I recently was in a car accident an my symptoms have become worse. Yes I was lucky to walk away with just bruising an I am so grateful to be alive but I am also so angry this has happened to me an why me I wasn't in the wrong.

Sunflowerrs PTSD - Who do you get your support from?
  • replies: 7

so i've just been diagnosed with PTSD.. and coming to the painful realisation that my family aren't capable of understanding/supporting me through it at this stage. I have a GP and a psychologist.. i know you can't give specific referrals on these fo... View more

so i've just been diagnosed with PTSD.. and coming to the painful realisation that my family aren't capable of understanding/supporting me through it at this stage. I have a GP and a psychologist.. i know you can't give specific referrals on these forums, but is giving general advice of where to get some support okay? thanks in advance

Sarah245 Helping a woman who attempted suicide
  • replies: 2

On Wednesday 10th may I stopped a woman from attempting suicide. She was very upset. I told her I was going to phone the police and get her help. I had to talk to the police and the woman at the same time as well as being attacked. The police arrived... View more

On Wednesday 10th may I stopped a woman from attempting suicide. She was very upset. I told her I was going to phone the police and get her help. I had to talk to the police and the woman at the same time as well as being attacked. The police arrived after 15 minutes and told me to take a deep breath and go home. I fell apart and cried all the way home. I was very emotional for most of the next day until I got counselling through headspace. I'm still quite emotional and find getting to sleep really difficult. The counselling has been really good and helpful.

Pip25 Need help for treatment options
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I've had a really challenging week. I had my second EMDR session with my clinical psychologist and found it extremely challenging. My weekend has consisted of panic attacks, flash backs ans just sleep due to exhaustion. My pyschologist h... View more

Hi everyone, I've had a really challenging week. I had my second EMDR session with my clinical psychologist and found it extremely challenging. My weekend has consisted of panic attacks, flash backs ans just sleep due to exhaustion. My pyschologist has since written a letter explaining that she isn't sure if this form of therapy is going to help and is looking at alternative referrals. She's already tried CBT rescripting but decided that wasn't effective either. I feel as though she's giving up on helping me and I've been trying so so hard during our sessions and invested so much in trying to get better. I don't know what other forms of therapy exist or where she would refer me to. I've tried googling options but it's just made me feel more lost and stressed. I'm trying to keep it all together but I'm really not coping anymore and I don't know where to go for help.

Gudia Fully stressed out with marriage and worried about newborn baby
  • replies: 8

Hi, i am new on this forum as well as in Australia. I am married for four years. Me and my husband had issues in the first year of our marriage but after that everything started going well. We started loving each other and happy with each other. Now ... View more

Hi, i am new on this forum as well as in Australia. I am married for four years. Me and my husband had issues in the first year of our marriage but after that everything started going well. We started loving each other and happy with each other. Now we had our first baby just four months ago. at the time of delivery my husband's parents came from overseas. I don't get along much with them. They have pushing and dominating nature. They made me terminate my first pregnancy just after my marriage. They never wanted me to have baby. i don't like them much. Neither they like me. And my husband is a mumma's boy. He agree with his mom. so now his parents came here for more than two months at my delivery and made my life hell. They all became a group including my husband and pushed me towards postnatal depression. they are gone back to their home but they break our husband wife relationship. Now my husband believe that whatever happens in those two months we're only my mistake. now my husband treats me very badly. He sometimes says that you should die.. he mentally abusing me. I don't know what to do. I am trying to focus on my newborn baby but my husband gives me so much stress that I can't take care of my baby 100%. his parents wants us to have divorce. My husband also wants the same but I am the only one who is trying to keep this marriage. but sometimes I feel tired of doing efforts and tired of this mental abuse. i don't know what to do. But for sure I am not thinking about suicide coz I want the love be for my baby. However my husband tried a lot to make me commit suicide but I didn't listen to him. my biggest concern is that if something happens to me then is there a possibility that I can make a will saying that my baby should Iive with my husband or my family but not with my husbands family. i am asking this because I know that if I die then my husband will not take care of my baby, he will give our baby to his sister and parents. they are not nice people. They already killed one of my child. I don't want them to have my baby and then to kill later.

remboy When does the good stuff start?
  • replies: 12

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for nearly all of my adult life but only first sought professional help ten years ago. My depressive episodes come and go and, I was in the midst of another struggle which began late last year. One day in J... View more

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for nearly all of my adult life but only first sought professional help ten years ago. My depressive episodes come and go and, I was in the midst of another struggle which began late last year. One day in January I was having a bad day at work so went for a walk at lunch time to get some fresh air and try to change my mindset. Unfortunately, I just happened to be in the Bourke St mall just at the exact moment the car drove through killing six people and injuring dozens more. I know there is no good time to witness that sort of thing but this was the worst possible moment, when I was already in a bad place. I have struggled to sleep without medication since that day. The following week I started seeing a counsellor through work as well as my own psychiatrist but am really struggling to work through everything. As an introvert who suffers from anxiety I find life a difficult experience at the best of times. Getting through a typical day of dealing with people and the world in general is draining and exhausting. Right now I'm struggling to see what the point of it is. The sessions with my psychiatrist have been difficult in that they are uncovering that I haven't dealt with the past. At my last session my psych told me that she'd never come across anyone more controlled by fear than me. I've always known about my problems in that area but this made me feel that I am beyond help. I'm not sort of person who would take his own life but if somebody told that when I went to sleep tonight I would not wake up I wouldn't be unhappy. I am struggling to think of what I would be missing out on.

MamaD I'm really lonely and just wanted to connect
  • replies: 7

I'm really tired. I'm feeling really lonely. I have a lot of grief to still get through. Its been years. I'm so tired of having to work through trauma, watching for triggers. Dealing with the fall out of being triggered. I lost two friends over the l... View more

I'm really tired. I'm feeling really lonely. I have a lot of grief to still get through. Its been years. I'm so tired of having to work through trauma, watching for triggers. Dealing with the fall out of being triggered. I lost two friends over the last few months and I'm now down to none. This puts a lot of pressure on my partner. I find it really hard to connect with people. I find it hard to be emotionally vulnerable with people. I turned 40 last month, and after years of friendship (long distance a few calls a week) known each other for 30 odd years, she forgot my birthday. Sent me a text to apologise, when I asked her what happened, she just disappeared. Ghosted. The pattern I have found is that as long as I'm supporting or showing interest in them they stick around as soon I may start opening up and looking for support or advice or just to have a vent, they disappear. It then gets harder and harder to connect. I'm sad and feel alone tonight. I just couldn't bring myself to call anyone, the reality is, I don't really have anyone to call. Is there anyone out there?

r_d [TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence] my dad and his siblings won't listen to reason.
  • replies: 8

Hi, I'll try to explain properly so bear with me. So my little sister and I currently moved out of my father's house due to his anger issues. Since our mum passed almost 2 years ago, it's just been us three. My dad and I have had some arguments here ... View more

Hi, I'll try to explain properly so bear with me. So my little sister and I currently moved out of my father's house due to his anger issues. Since our mum passed almost 2 years ago, it's just been us three. My dad and I have had some arguments here and there about small things like household chores and stuff like that, and since last year, he's been blaming my 'change' of attitude because i've had a boyfriend, which is not true. Every time that happens, my dad would start to raise his voice and I would try to be calm but when I talk to him, I just get really frustrated. Also, the way that he sometimes asks us to do something for him is more of like a command to do what he wants to be done. He's very strict and he just loves to complain about what we do wrong, even a tiny bit, to his sisters. I am 23 and my sister is 12 and the three of us has depression. Anyways, this past Sunday, something happened. It's a bit hard to explain, but my sister was in the kitchen when all of a sudden I hear her yell out in pain because my dad punched her in the arm and I heard her yell out, "Stop, what are you doing?" then she ran towards her room. Just so you know, these kinds of things happened before when it gets bad but we let it slide because he's still our father and he never lets us forget that, but this time, I saw my dad run towards her room and try to break down her door, saying things like, "I'll kill you" and just full on swore at her. I told him to calm down but he kept saying things that really cut to the core. He said that it was her fault that our mum passed away because of stress from processing her adoption papers. Also, he keeps saying that he regrets bringing her here in the country and some other hurtful things that you never say to a 12-year-old much less your own daughter. Mind you, he has said these things to me too. It hurt a lot and I told him that but he said it's just words. "I don't mean it and I would never do anything to harm my daughters." So now, after a few hours, we snuck out and went to our elder sister's house because we don't feel safe there anymore. His sisters kept calling us and blaming me for everything that happened a few days ago, even though I keep telling them that he THREATENED TO KILL US. They said that it's normal to be angry and say those things and my sister and I should just say sorry and forget about it. Did we do the right thing? I feel bad for leaving but we really don't feel safe there anymore. Any advice?