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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Sj28 I Just saw my GP's mental health care for me and didnt understand what PTSD
  • replies: 11

Hi Im just new here and Im happy to read a lot of stories and learning new things. I thought I was completely well after 3 mons of rest after suffering with my abusive x partner for 2 and a half years together. I thought I've recovered already but wh... View more

Hi Im just new here and Im happy to read a lot of stories and learning new things. I thought I was completely well after 3 mons of rest after suffering with my abusive x partner for 2 and a half years together. I thought I've recovered already but when I went back to see a GP everything came back as fresh and new can't help but cry and now I'm back to being stressed and anxious and can't sleep feeling sad and lonely . I saw this website beyond blue and got interested in reading the forum until I saw what is the meaning of PTSD because I didnt know what it is I have it on my mental health care and need to see a Psychologist. Hope I can get over it

ElyseH Abandoned and dissapointed once again
  • replies: 8

I am currently dealing with childhild abuse. My mum has never shown she cares about this issue considering it was a family member i was abused by. As she was abused by her brother when she was a child as well. I had a few traumatic relationships over... View more

I am currently dealing with childhild abuse. My mum has never shown she cares about this issue considering it was a family member i was abused by. As she was abused by her brother when she was a child as well. I had a few traumatic relationships over the years. I never felt the support of my parents or understanding growing up and to add to that dealing with rejection, abandonment and anxiety issues from relationships. I recently started dating someone. I was anxious about dating but he must have gotten into my head. We werent dating for long before he told me out of the blue we would be better as friends. This has been extremely traumatising because he made me believe that i was actually worth it. He was the luckiest guy. He really liked me. Everything seemed botmal one day then the next it was all unexpected. Some of my friends dont seem to understand. None is around for me but when they need someone im always the person to put everything down. So to not have your own mother care about your situation, to go through the same issue with relationships over again. All i have experienced is abandonment and disappointment and shown that my feelings are not valid. How am i meant to continue like this. Yesterday i cried in bed all afternoon woke up through the night crying and so far today cried in bed all morning. On a cancellation list with both my psychologist and dr today and i am completely alone.

grieving_mum my son
  • replies: 20

my son Dan died on the 21st August 2016 it was suicide he was 21 and I am numb. He was my youngest child and my baby. I am taking a time out to gather my thoughts and regroup. I have 3 three other adult children and I know they need me but my life is... View more

my son Dan died on the 21st August 2016 it was suicide he was 21 and I am numb. He was my youngest child and my baby. I am taking a time out to gather my thoughts and regroup. I have 3 three other adult children and I know they need me but my life is at an impasse. What do i do next? where do I go from here?

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.