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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Sophie_M If you need to talk about Bondi Beach - Our community is here
  • replies: 8

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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Guest_60785963 What to do when all options seem to not fit?
  • replies: 4

context: Total isolation, no friends, no family communication. No desire really to do anything, no motivation, no goals, no dream job, do not like talking or engaging with people at all. (Diagnosed GAD/OCD/PTSD) Anytime I've engaged with therapy or s... View more

context: Total isolation, no friends, no family communication. No desire really to do anything, no motivation, no goals, no dream job, do not like talking or engaging with people at all. (Diagnosed GAD/OCD/PTSD) Anytime I've engaged with therapy or support workers it's like they expect me to open up, but there's nothing inside to open up about and anything that would be important to maybe talk about I am completely unwilling to divulge as I have history of personal info being used against me, particularly by businesses/government. Also there's this thing where they can report you and get your drivers license taken away as well if they believe your condition affects your ability to drive, meaning I'm risking my life attending, as I have no access to a kitchen and rely on a vehicle for my 1 daily meal. Not to mention forced hospitalization fears from my OCDSo this idea that I can just "be honest" is to me a complete lie. They want people to open up but then they can hit them with repercussions for doing so. Meaning therapy or any semblance of "healing" seems impossible to me logically. If I want to avoid being punished by society, I'm better of living as I currently am, doing completely nothing all day slowly dying. I have one goal technically but it's not a goal as most people think, it's literally just get DSP unlimited portability and leave the country. But how do you tell someone thats your motivation. They'll be like "well he clearly doesn't want to get back to work he just wants a holiday". I've heard it all before and I expect it all again but yeah. I don't really expect many helpful responses to this, but I just thought I'd give something a go.

Arra I AM ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • replies: 6

I AM ANGRY! These stupid services that turn there back on me always pull this complete and utter bs they say “Please continue to access your available supports, reach out for assistance where required and focus on your recovery goals” I don’t have ex... View more

I AM ANGRY! These stupid services that turn there back on me always pull this complete and utter bs they say “Please continue to access your available supports, reach out for assistance where required and focus on your recovery goals” I don’t have exisiting supports THEY CLOSED YOU ALL CLOSED ON ME YOU ALL LEFT MEWHEN I GOT “too hard” How am I meant to focus on my god dam recovery goals when nobody will help me!!??? IF IT WAS AS EASY AS DOIBG IT OURSELVES AND JUSY FOCUSING ON OUR GOals then these services wouldn’t exist PEOPPE LIKE ME NEED HELP WITH THEM!!! THEY ALL TURN THERI BACK ON ME AND I AM ANGRRRRRRRRYRYYYYY Why is getting help for your mental health so hard

Catie 08 Formally reporting past childhood abuse
  • replies: 5

I experience abuse as a child for a prolonged period of time. I didnt disclose this to anyone until I was in my late 30's. I have been going to therapy since then and have made some really good progress but lately I have been considering making a for... View more

I experience abuse as a child for a prolonged period of time. I didnt disclose this to anyone until I was in my late 30's. I have been going to therapy since then and have made some really good progress but lately I have been considering making a formal report to the police. My abuser passed away some years ago so I missed my opportunity to have him punished for his crimes but I think reporting this properly, making it formal and having a record of what he did could be a helpful line in the sand for me to move forward. I know it will never erase the past, however i feel reporting it may put the power back in my hands? I wondered what others may have experience in similar situations? Did you find it helpful or did it make it worse?

Guest_49615091 No way out either
  • replies: 2

Hi. I have no way out either. No job 4 kids aging husband lost all my friends family money career holidays absolutely everything. Want to die every second of every minute. Tried all the therapies drugs everyday that is on offer and nothing helps! Try... View more

Hi. I have no way out either. No job 4 kids aging husband lost all my friends family money career holidays absolutely everything. Want to die every second of every minute. Tried all the therapies drugs everyday that is on offer and nothing helps! Trying each minute not to kill myself

Guest_93928415 Struggling and need to talk
  • replies: 1

Hi Where do I even start? Well just over 8 years ago, my daughter was neglecting her children, and the eldest two (twins) were due to start kinder and she wasn't doing a thing to have them ready, so I offered to take them just to get them prepared.Af... View more

Hi Where do I even start? Well just over 8 years ago, my daughter was neglecting her children, and the eldest two (twins) were due to start kinder and she wasn't doing a thing to have them ready, so I offered to take them just to get them prepared.After a week or so we all agreed between us that they would be living with us (my husband and myself) because if we didnt take them on, services would and she agreed. They are 14 now and doing great. But she had 2 younger ones as well and I took in the next youngest as well (again no issues for us). However two days later I had no choice but to take her back to her mother because I had to urgently travel to nurse my dying mother. The night before she passed away I got a call to say both the little ones were removed by services. The same day my mother passed, we had to travel home, about 8hrs on train, so we could be with them. There was a case worker working with us (that I initiated, no intervention)and she supported me in taking the two younger ones in. Whe the assessor came to do the questioning, she told me things that werent true and documented them. The CW told her so many lies that I can easily prove otherwise. The CW said the twins were struggling and failing at school and this went negatively on the report. The CW said to the assessor that we failed to get them counselling in kindy when they displayed symptoms of neglect by their mother. Both of these are false as we have documents proving otherwise. We visited the school to ask why they didnt contact us if there were issues and they told us there was no CW visiting whatsoever and the twins were doing fantastically. Now they are in the care of a beautiful family, but the catholic agency, pull tricks, lie to cover up the truth and as a result, they have weakened me so I cannot fight it. I have legal care of the twins, all throughout the parents have not made any attempts to see them or be involved. I lost my two little granddaughters because of a massive lie, they need the truth when they are older...I lost my mum and couldnt be there for her because the little ones needed me, and that seemed for nothing. The trauma is immense, the 4 girls are ripped apart due to a lie. If I talk with my husband, he is always worse off..no one is ever sicker than him. I have no friends, and family is far away, I look after myself best I can, cant pour from an empty cup....but how good is the cup?

Catie 08 Scrambled 2.0
  • replies: 6

I've been away from the forums for a while but tonight I felt it right to reconnect.I've been doing quiet well however I was triggered by a movie I watched and now I feel like I'm back down the rabbit hole.My childhood abuser passed away some years a... View more

I've been away from the forums for a while but tonight I felt it right to reconnect.I've been doing quiet well however I was triggered by a movie I watched and now I feel like I'm back down the rabbit hole.My childhood abuser passed away some years ago and I regret not feeling able to speak up to the authorities and my family sooner so he could have been made accountable for his actions. I have recently found out where his wife moved to and feel like I need to take this opportunity to contact her before she also passes. I know it wasn't her who caused my trauma but she also didnt stop it. I know I feel the need to contact her but I also don't know what I would say, I just know I would regret not taking the opportunity before it no longer exists.

Kat510 It feels like no is there
  • replies: 1

He removed from the family home for dv. His parents set him up with a house and everything he needs. I have no support. Now he is pushing me and our children out of the family home. I don't feel the lawyers are listening. Im the that has to keep payi... View more

He removed from the family home for dv. His parents set him up with a house and everything he needs. I have no support. Now he is pushing me and our children out of the family home. I don't feel the lawyers are listening. Im the that has to keep paying the bills.

Guest3564798 Ongoing mental health issues
  • replies: 4

I’m not entirely sure what I’m hoping to get from writing this, but I need to say it somewhere.I’ve been struggling for around 15 years with what I believe are undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and ADHD. As I’ve gotten older, I feel less stable — more... View more

I’m not entirely sure what I’m hoping to get from writing this, but I need to say it somewhere.I’ve been struggling for around 15 years with what I believe are undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and ADHD. As I’ve gotten older, I feel less stable — more reactive, more overwhelmed — and at times I find myself wishing I simply didn’t exist.I carry multiple layers of trauma from my childhood and early adulthood, including physical abuse, parental neglect, sexual assault, bullying, and infidelity in a past relationship. Those experiences still feel very present in the way I move through the world.I have difficulty forming meaningful connections and often feel like an outsider. I’m currently in a healthy, supportive relationship, which I’m grateful for, but beyond that I struggle to build close friendships — especially when it feels like everyone is too busy to make space for me.I know I need help, but I feel unmotivated to pursue it. I haven’t found a therapist I feel safe or comfortable with, and the idea of sitting and talking about myself to a stranger makes me deeply uncomfortable.I don’t know exactly what I’m asking for — but I know I don’t want to keep feeling like this.

Chloe03 Triggers
  • replies: 3

I experienced trauma as a child, dv and an affair in my marriage. I’m now in a relationship with a really great person who is so good to me, but I keep having terrible trigger episodes. I want to understand why I am being triggered by my partner havi... View more

I experienced trauma as a child, dv and an affair in my marriage. I’m now in a relationship with a really great person who is so good to me, but I keep having terrible trigger episodes. I want to understand why I am being triggered by my partner having attractive fb friends. I’ve never been a jealous person and this has never happened to me before him. It starts when I see an attractive person in “people you may know” and he is friends with them. It’s hard to describe now, when it’s not happening, but I actually feel like a different person and it’s hard to remember what I’m thinking but I know it starts small and my brain keeps collecting evidence that there’s something wrong with him and/or the relationship. My chest hurts. I get the horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach, then I feel so sad. I have intrusive thoughts for ages, act irrationally. Sometimes I cry, and just want it to stop, one time I sobbed heavily and my legs were shaking and for some reason I had to watch the video of my ex that I secretly filmed of him berating me. It was so strange. When I snap out of it, which can take hours, I’m embarrassed and don’t feel the way I felt during the episode. As in, of course some of his friends might be attractive, doesn’t mean he doesn’t love me, he’s not doing anything wrong.

Sleepyhead Does anyone know any ways to deal with PTSD paranoia
  • replies: 2

I had a psychotic episode back in July 2024 caused from medications I was on at the time. I was home alone and thought that two men had broken into my house and hurt my dogs and my friends and were coming after me. When my parents came home I accused... View more

I had a psychotic episode back in July 2024 caused from medications I was on at the time. I was home alone and thought that two men had broken into my house and hurt my dogs and my friends and were coming after me. When my parents came home I accused them of not being real people and I believed that the paramedics were the men trying to get to me. After having many panic attacks and crying for over 3 hours I was then taken to hospital for the night. To sleep I now have to lock my door at night, sleep with my window shut and have a fan and music playing if not I’m likely to have a panic attack, which happen quite frequently. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, paranoia and anxiety because of this and have tried multiple medications, but none of them have really helped me. im just wondering if anyone has any tips to maybe help out with my paranoia/flashbacks when sleeping, im not expecting any quick fix or my PTSD to go away completely.Just tips on how to calm myself down when experiencing flashbacks. If anyone can give me any advice in the slightest thank you so much I really appreciate it. ☺️