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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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EllieEll Sexual Assault - Not sure what to do
  • replies: 4

Hello Everyone, I have recently come to the knowledge and understanding that I was sexually assaulted a few years ago. I was at a work party and I had been drinking. At the end of the night, one of my work colleagues dropped me off at home and walked... View more

Hello Everyone, I have recently come to the knowledge and understanding that I was sexually assaulted a few years ago. I was at a work party and I had been drinking. At the end of the night, one of my work colleagues dropped me off at home and walked inside with me where we had sex. We were both over the age of legal consent. I just assumed that because we had both been drinking alcohol, it was not considered to be assault. In the last few days I have realised this is not the case. This person had been interested in me for a while at work and I had made it CRYSTAL clear that the feelings were NOT reciprocated and nothing was going to happen between us. I knew he was married which automatically made him off limits but also, I was just not interested. We lost touch for a couple of years but recently got in contact again. Since that night he has continued to make it very obvious that he is STILL interested, and I have continued to tell him that I am not. A friend pointed out to me a few days ago that he sexually assaulted me. They are 100% right. If I was sober, it NEVER would've happened. I barely remember a thing about that night and I hadn't had more than 3 drinks, which leads me to believe my drink was spiked, although I don't think it was by him. I chatted to him on messenger yesterday and asked him about the night it happened. He said he has a pretty clear memory of it all and what happened back at my house. It's clear in his mind that he thinks I wanted it, but also that he is very much aware that it wouldn't have if I was sober and that it will never happen again. The fact that he was able to describe my body in detail, what we did in my bedroom and remembers what I was wearing, shows me that he was far less under the influence than I was. I am NOT okay with this. I don't know what to do with it all now. Thanks for reading.

Clancy2024 Trapped in a relationship with a PTSD sufferer, and psychological abuser
  • replies: 4

Hello,I’m Clancy, I have been trapped in a relationship that is becoming increasingly toxic by the day.I have been in this relationship for 32 years. I have attempted to break free on three occasions previously, once prior to being married, where he ... View more

Hello,I’m Clancy, I have been trapped in a relationship that is becoming increasingly toxic by the day.I have been in this relationship for 32 years. I have attempted to break free on three occasions previously, once prior to being married, where he threatened me with physical violence.In hindsight this should have raised a large red flag, however, when he broke down in tears I felt doomed.My husband will not allow me to severe the ties. His controlling nature has intensified,and he is constantly demeaning. He is careful only to do it behind closed doors.I am currently recovering from a health issue, largely caused by my environment. I have a checklist of tasks, and just have to work through those.Any advice from someone who has been through a similar situation would be particularly helpful. As well as general advice from supporters. So grateful to have signed up to this forum.

lacy about me
  • replies: 4

hi im lacy i have ptsd and im 13

hi im lacy i have ptsd and im 13

Flowerbell Trauma
  • replies: 1

In final stages of divorce court. I left due to domestic violence. Highly anxious and unsteady. He has had various orders from police/courts. I am seeing therapist at this time. I have found courts unsafe, totally unaware of impacts of domestic viole... View more

In final stages of divorce court. I left due to domestic violence. Highly anxious and unsteady. He has had various orders from police/courts. I am seeing therapist at this time. I have found courts unsafe, totally unaware of impacts of domestic violence. I had to relocate/flee in car. He has since found me again and fear him locating me during this. There has been more than one move of houses due to this - I do not want another. This has put serious strain upon finances, my time and work.

Neeru Domestic Violence
  • replies: 6

My husband has extra martial affair with his sister in law now he is abusing me meantly and physical , i have one 18 month kid as well.his sister in law is overseas , now my husband wants brings her sister in law and her children in Australia in my h... View more

My husband has extra martial affair with his sister in law now he is abusing me meantly and physical , i have one 18 month kid as well.his sister in law is overseas , now my husband wants brings her sister in law and her children in Australia in my house .he took my car so i can't go on my work and he stopped giving money as well.he block my phone number as well ow he threatened me he gonna harm me and my baby but now my father is with me for my support i want separation with my husband but i can't afford the fees of Lawer what should i do

l-jc Bad dreams, ptsd, abusive relationship.
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. Last year I finally got out of an abusive relationship that went on for over 3 years. he was my first ever partner. he was mentally and physically abusive. since then i've had trouble with sleeping and my dreams. In day time I am fine, b... View more

Hi everyone. Last year I finally got out of an abusive relationship that went on for over 3 years. he was my first ever partner. he was mentally and physically abusive. since then i've had trouble with sleeping and my dreams. In day time I am fine, but when I go to sleep I either have dreams about my ex attacking me or running after me, or threatening to kill me like he would in real life. or I dream of blackness and I start hyperventilating and sonetimes I silently scream to the point where it hurts and my body aches when I wake up. I sometimes cry a lot in my sleep and wake up in a sweat. is this ptsd? i'm on anti depressants but I still have these dreams. it's really starting to affect me. Should I see a counsellor or is this something a doctor should know about?

Guest_34923903 Abused
  • replies: 1

Hello All I'm 35 now and I keep having flashbacks from being sexually abused by a lifeguard when I was early teens. He was in his 20s. He literally groomed me over a summer hoilday and gave me lollies, food and let me and my siblings work in the cant... View more

Hello All I'm 35 now and I keep having flashbacks from being sexually abused by a lifeguard when I was early teens. He was in his 20s. He literally groomed me over a summer hoilday and gave me lollies, food and let me and my siblings work in the canteen. I found out a couple of years ago it happened to my twin sister too. She never told me. I recently was on Facebook and his face came up on a page he was working for, it made me sick. I went to go to the police last year, it took a long time and then they said I would have to go to trial and relay everything so I freaked out. I don't know who to talk to or what supports are out there.

CurlyLamb Bipolar, PTSD, Depression & Anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi I knew here. I just need to chat with others who are in similar situations to myself.

Hi I knew here. I just need to chat with others who are in similar situations to myself.

Rowen13 Narcissistic Mum
  • replies: 35

I have recently turned 50 and have been a carer for my narcissistic mum. She uses all the usual tricks, gaslighting, verbal abuse, isolating me, sabotaging etc.My mental health has spiralled and after being a carer for 10 years, I feel depressed, anx... View more

I have recently turned 50 and have been a carer for my narcissistic mum. She uses all the usual tricks, gaslighting, verbal abuse, isolating me, sabotaging etc.My mental health has spiralled and after being a carer for 10 years, I feel depressed, anxious and suicidal. I suffer from childhood PTSD with physical and emotional abuse. We were also often starved as children and were never provided a stable loving or nurturing environment.She is now 82, has two brain tumours and has fallen and hit her head twice. But after being repeatedly verbally abused in front of doctors and nurses, I broke down. I can't continue and often feel like the only way to be free is to take my life.I am on a carer's payment so I take the abuse because I am scared of being homeless. I have no husband and was unable to have children. I have had a case manager assigned to me as I spiral further into my depression and suicidal ideation.I have told her I can no longer be her carer, she is trying to guilt me. I have no self esteem and feel guilty for leaving my mum in the hospital. I have no support network, no friends, no income and feel so isolated and desolate. My life has passed and I my body goes in to panic mode as I am continually traumatised by her abuse. I feel so much shame and lost in life. I have no idea what to do, I will soon be homeless and I will be unable to make car repayments. I'm a scared little child at 50 years old and I long to close my eyes and never wake up. I wish I was never born. My depression and GAD has made me in to a coward and I am worthless.

Mstuck Narcissistic husband
  • replies: 2

Hi, almost 3 years ago I discovered that my husband of 28 years had cheated on me what I thought was on 3 occasions. I discovered he had been to prostitutes. He blamed me because we had not had a great sex life for years. When I confronted him he den... View more

Hi, almost 3 years ago I discovered that my husband of 28 years had cheated on me what I thought was on 3 occasions. I discovered he had been to prostitutes. He blamed me because we had not had a great sex life for years. When I confronted him he denied it until I asked for his phone and showed him the messages. He then told me it was all my fault. He wanted to go to marriage counselling but would not book it. I ended up booking it. The counselling did nothing. He swore to me and the councillor it had only been 3 times. Fast forward a couple of years of hell and he finally admitted to this going on for 26 years. I did what he wanted, gave him sex regularly. It was hard as I felt so broken and he didn’t care for my needs. Then late last year he told me, after I probed, that he had continued to see prostitutes as it didn’t feel consentual. This was after telling me he hadn’t. Continued blame on me and no understanding of what I was going through. I also discovered he had downloaded dating apps going back 8 years. He lied to me from the beginning of our relationship telling me he hadn’t travelled extensively before we met. He also told the same story to our kids for years - so lied to them about his travels. That hurts the worst. When I called him out on it he just dismissed it. I feel trapped as I can’t afford to buy him out of our house or to sell and buy a place. The housing market here has made my hands tied. I would have left him years ago if I knew of his behaviour. I have to bide my time as my son is still in school and I know he will become very very nasty when I tell him it’s over. I feel scared and trapped. The hardest part is that he blames everything on me.