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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Kombie390 Is something wrong with me?
  • replies: 2

No longer is there a human face when I look in the mirror for a reflection. Hard to explain but seeing the same words twice like it's almost on top of each other normally I have perfect vision. Pretty much everything is going bad probably self sabota... View more

No longer is there a human face when I look in the mirror for a reflection. Hard to explain but seeing the same words twice like it's almost on top of each other normally I have perfect vision. Pretty much everything is going bad probably self sabotage am happy to punish myself for whatever as long as it's my demise at the end. Given up or not caring anymore

FeebsC Apparently I am ok
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I am currently on workers comp caused by trauma (dealing with catastrophically injured people and families who have lost a loved one), in a toxic workplace environment where there was bullying. I had suicidal thoughts, have done three weeks... View more

Hi there, I am currently on workers comp caused by trauma (dealing with catastrophically injured people and families who have lost a loved one), in a toxic workplace environment where there was bullying. I had suicidal thoughts, have done three weeks in a mental health unit and about to get admitted for second three week admission. My marriage is hanging by a thread and so am I . I have been seeing a psychologist weekly, and todays seession has really done my head in. Basically her interpretation of it is that the mental health unit has just made me think I am worse than I am and we all go through a tough time, suck it up, I am just sad and it was just bad management and I am just wallowing in self pity. I feel as if what I feel or went through is all in my head. I might as well just suck it up, go back to work and whatever happens, happens. I am so confused. I have had a few good sessions with her but then today she just really pissed me off. I get her straight forward attitude, but to continually put what I went through, and dealing with vicarious trauma every day down to, bad management and wrong job, just really got to me today

Jasmine1992 My abused and suffering life!
  • replies: 8

Hey, I decided to write about how my depression got so bad. My mum, my sister and I were physically, verbally and emotionally abused by a border that was living with us. We were to scared to kick him out for 8 years into my stepdad came in our lives ... View more

Hey, I decided to write about how my depression got so bad. My mum, my sister and I were physically, verbally and emotionally abused by a border that was living with us. We were to scared to kick him out for 8 years into my stepdad came in our lives and kicked him out for good. I still suffer from the memories and flashbacks of it all. I’ve blocked my extended family out of my life they are very judgemental people and don’t understand what I’m going through. Even my mum, step dad, sister and brother-in-law have no idea what I’m going through. Everyone thinks I talk to myself but I’m talking to someone in my fantasy life. Not only I prefer to be in my fantasy life but the people there are the only people I can talk to. My mum step dad and I have been kicked out of our house coz the owner was selling the house so we are now living with my sister, brother in law and their 3 kids in a small cramped duplex. I’m living in the garage. So there’s been quite a bit of tension. We have been knocked back over 80 houses and it’s stressing me out so much that I’m having so much meltdowns and I’m lashing out. I hate been only about to hear in my right ear. My left ear has nerve damage. I only wear a hearing aid in my right ear. I now suffer with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and schizophrenia. I’ve been told that i might also have bipolar. Please try to understand what I have written. I would real appreciate it.

CrystalOco Constantly feeling lost!
  • replies: 1

I am 37 and I am still struggling to work out who I am. I was groomed and sexually abused by my uncle when I was 16. I didn’t tell anyone for 8yrs. When I did tell my family I wasn’t supported. I even had to have my eldest daughter DNA tested to prov... View more

I am 37 and I am still struggling to work out who I am. I was groomed and sexually abused by my uncle when I was 16. I didn’t tell anyone for 8yrs. When I did tell my family I wasn’t supported. I even had to have my eldest daughter DNA tested to prove my “innocence.”It’s almost been 21yrs since my traumatic experience and it still consumes me.I have put on a lot of weight and I know that I am probably an emotional eater but feel like I have lost all control. I try and put on a brace face but some days I end up a crying mess in bed. I don’t know if medication is the answer. I just feel like I am an empty shell and although I have things to be grateful for I can’t see it. All I see is an old, fat body covered in stretch marks. I just don’t know where to go from here? Will I ever feel truly happy?

Echtis I don't know how to get better
  • replies: 2

I don't get along with almost anyone. I feel like I'm an alien in every social situation. I either don't talk a kill the mood or talk too much and make people uncomfortable. On top of that I have begun to feel extreme disgust towards almost everyone ... View more

I don't get along with almost anyone. I feel like I'm an alien in every social situation. I either don't talk a kill the mood or talk too much and make people uncomfortable. On top of that I have begun to feel extreme disgust towards almost everyone I meet, disgust only beaten by my self hatred. There is something wrong with me, and I am on the verge of breakdown. Nothing helps. I share how I feel and it doesn't make me feel much better, at least not for long, about the time it takes for me to realise I wasted my time. I do not know how to love myself, which is required for me to grow and heal as a person. I don't think it's possible to have self love or develop it if you've never been loved. I am a wounded animal, trapped and enraged. I refuse to take my own life or hurt others. I want to be free and be able to love myself, but I cannot as I do not think I deserve love. Even my inner child does not.

second time Both Parents died during childhood.
  • replies: 4

Hi Just wondering if anybody else here also lost both parents during there childhood. Interested in sharing how this 'unique' experience impacted us.

Hi Just wondering if anybody else here also lost both parents during there childhood. Interested in sharing how this 'unique' experience impacted us.

BirdieBro Mean Parent
  • replies: 6

I have adult children. I am an adult. And yet I can’t have an adult conversation with my mother. She continues to point out how fat I am and I know it sounds pathetic, but I don’t know how to tell her to stop. The rage makes be binge. I’m now aware o... View more

I have adult children. I am an adult. And yet I can’t have an adult conversation with my mother. She continues to point out how fat I am and I know it sounds pathetic, but I don’t know how to tell her to stop. The rage makes be binge. I’m now aware of this so try to curb what I binge or pick up some weights and go hard with those instead. I have tried but she says I’m being sensitive. Maybe I am, but she should respect that. I’ve actually lost 5 kilos. My friends who I see regularly have noticed but my mum who I see 3 times a year (perhaps she has noticed) says to my kids in front of me, “she still has a big tummy.” I can’t stand it.

foxandfate PTSD from work boss
  • replies: 1

I started a new job in February 2022, in a role that I had the potential of completely loving and making a career out of. However, my direct manager is hostile, angry and at times, vicious. They refuse to speak to me in person unless it is a direct p... View more

I started a new job in February 2022, in a role that I had the potential of completely loving and making a career out of. However, my direct manager is hostile, angry and at times, vicious. They refuse to speak to me in person unless it is a direct powerplay to them, being that they will only speak to me if the news/information reflects badly on me and there are other people present to hear it. If I am in a room (eg: staff kitchen/ photocopier room) on my own and they walk in, they will immediately turn around and walk out again. I have NEVER received positive feedback, only 'constructive criticism' or just 'this is wrong'. I feel so unwelcome in this role and in the company. Last week I had (unexpected) surgery, and was told by my manager that I was expected to be in the office the next day. When I arrived, I was told that I shouldn't be there and to leave. I am starting to have panic attacks about my role. They claim they want consistency with reports, schedules and the like, so I copy the layout and content of the previous report/schedule - then it comes back with amendments and edits that are completely different. I cannot send an email to anyone, inside or outside the company, without sending it to them first for edits. I am now on anxiety medication and sleeping tablets - a new development since starting here. I know I play a part in all this and it isn't 100% all them. I have developed a fear of coming into work everyday, I cry in the car on the way in of a morning, and when I get home I just sit and feel numb. I feel so useless. I know I am intelligent to do this job, and can do it well. However the panic I feel from their aggression and hostility is crippling. Their direct manager is aware of it, and has pulled them up on it a few times, but the behaviour just becomes more covert and discreet for a while. I'm looking for a new job, however I no longer feel capable of being 'a good employee'. I spoke to the Employee Assistance Program company and was told the conversation was confidential. Two days later I got a phonecall from HR stating that I am to utilise the Employee Assistance Program, then it has to be on my own time, followed by an email HR sent that CC'd in my manager about it. I'm sure this isn't normal.

melhun79 Husband unwell - how do I cope?
  • replies: 1

My husband has been in and out of hospitals these past 4 weeks. Chest tightness and pain. He has AF (Arterial Fibrillation) The emergency teams plug him of drugs and send him home each time. At home we can be sitting watching TV then all of a sudden ... View more

My husband has been in and out of hospitals these past 4 weeks. Chest tightness and pain. He has AF (Arterial Fibrillation) The emergency teams plug him of drugs and send him home each time. At home we can be sitting watching TV then all of a sudden pain and tightness, so there I go again trying to help him, calling the ambulance him being carried away to another hospital. I don't know how to cope. Im always on edge waiting for the next pain episode. He has developed PNES (Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures) which is so hard to watch. I help him best I can. But I feel like running away or into a corner and hide from it all. I don't know where to turn to get help. The GP laughed at me and said 'thats life miss, we deal how we can'.

fireswan Hate being at “home”
  • replies: 4

I’ve never done anything like this but here goes nothing. I have childhood trauma that I have been working through over the last almost 3 years. Unfortunately I’m a full time uni student still living in the same house with the same people with no oth... View more

I’ve never done anything like this but here goes nothing. I have childhood trauma that I have been working through over the last almost 3 years. Unfortunately I’m a full time uni student still living in the same house with the same people with no other options at the moment. After being away from this house for the last two weeks, coming back has been the biggest spiral I’ve ever gone through. The intrusive thoughts are getting louder and all of my tools I usually use to cope are just not working. I just want to pack my things and drive away, never looking back. I’m at such a loss because I don’t have any other accommodation options, I can’t even afford to feed myself this fortnight. I’m exhausted from not being able to sleep here and I just don’t know what to do…