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PTSD and trauma

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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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Camille_Lion Lost
  • replies: 4

Hi I’m a newbie to this. Feeling pretty lost and wondering if people can help with ways to move through PTSD. I’ve spent a few cat lives in the past and been through all sorts of pretty serious stuff but nothing like PTSD. I thought with my past that... View more

Hi I’m a newbie to this. Feeling pretty lost and wondering if people can help with ways to move through PTSD. I’ve spent a few cat lives in the past and been through all sorts of pretty serious stuff but nothing like PTSD. I thought with my past that I was very resilient and I have been, but this condition has knocked my socks off. Hearing people say get back just angers me. Basically I’m frustrated with myself and feeling crappy. I get that I’ll continue to have the symptoms for who knows how long but it’s so exhausting. Flashbacks, nightmares, flinching and reacting to movies/shows (that’s if I can focus enough to watch one), letting people down, missing major events like weddings/significant birthdays, can’t shop without headphones and support most of the time. But then, some days feeling completely normal for a while and wondering why I’m not back at work (knowing in the background I can’t handle pressure for panic attacks which are crippling). I’d like to draw on people for ways to get through it. Already have regular psychiatrist who is awesome, counsellor, awesome friends and family. Reading self help books and doing yoga, long stitch, gardening. Why won’t it just get better and:or go away. Feeling exhausted and fed up.

Cjjj I’m completely lost.
  • replies: 3

Hey. I do apologise if this has been posted in the wrong area, I’m new to this and pretty nervous about it. five years ago today my best friend committed suicide and I was the first person too find him. I was 21, working in the mining industry and ha... View more

Hey. I do apologise if this has been posted in the wrong area, I’m new to this and pretty nervous about it. five years ago today my best friend committed suicide and I was the first person too find him. I was 21, working in the mining industry and had never experienced anything like that before in my life. the thought of any one taking their own life was just unheard of so it was extremely shocking too find him the way I did. I had too call emergency services, I had too call him Mum and explain. ever since then I’ve been completely lost. I ruined my career, jumping between jobs at various mine sites and basically burning every bridge I had. I lost my relationship, I pushed good friends away and I completely lost who I am as a person. every bit of interest in anything I had has been lost. I’m coming here today because I want advice. I want the nightmares too stop, I want too have a normal life, I want the thoughts of what happened too stop because they completely ruin my day. I’ve been too a doctor who’s recommended me too a phycologist, I’ve been in contact with a drug and alcohol counciller because I was drinking too forget. I’ve been sober for a week now. I apologise too anyone I may have triggered or upset. any Help, tips or tricks would be really appreciated.

Living57 I want to be normal, whatever that is
  • replies: 9

I'm so fed up. So tired, mentally, physically and emotionally. I dread going to bed at night and then the thought of another day, OMG and the thought of more of the same. I exist and go through the motions, its not living though. I have limited famil... View more

I'm so fed up. So tired, mentally, physically and emotionally. I dread going to bed at night and then the thought of another day, OMG and the thought of more of the same. I exist and go through the motions, its not living though. I have limited family near me and only one true friend. They ask how I am and its easiest just to say I'm fine, everything's okay. Nobody really wants to know the inner struggle and I find it hard to discuss my problems for fear of bring told to get over it, how I wish I could, or you've got so much to live for and comments like that. When I hear those things I clam up even more. I live alone which, when I'm like this is probably a good thing. I can be my real self with my feelings and not have to pretend all is good with my world. I try to see all the things around me, the people, nature, the sky, the sunrise and sunset as positives, but when my world is black and threatening its so hard to do. Its got worse this week with police calling to ask questions about my sexual assault after months of nothing. Its just triggered me again, the flashbacks and nightmares have never gone away and now they're worse and I'm reliving the assault. I have complex mental health issues including CPTSD, anxiety, depression and other health problems and I see my doctor and psychiatrist regularly but even with the medication and talking it doesn't seem to be helping right now. Im hardly sleeping and rarely eat...when I do I get nauseous and feel like vomiting. I cry until I think I have no tears but they come back again. I scream in my head so no one can hear me. I really don't know how I can keep going. Its not that I want to die, but I think about it a lot, I just don't want to keep living like this. I want to be normal, whatever that is.

The_Bro ANOTHER FRIEND IS NOW DYING FROM CANCER - WHAT SHOULD I SAY?
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone As we get older and certainly wiser, it becomes easier I think, to deal with what life throws at you as life's priorities become much clearer. You learn to walk away from what's just not important, stop worrying so much about trivialities... View more

Hi everyone As we get older and certainly wiser, it becomes easier I think, to deal with what life throws at you as life's priorities become much clearer. You learn to walk away from what's just not important, stop worrying so much about trivialities and think more about what it really means to life a good life - 'A life well lived' in other words. Well last year the best friend of my wife and myself got cancer, and now has about three months to live. She in in New Zealand and we speak every couple of weeks on Face Time. Yesterday I got shocking news that the wife of one of my best friends also has cancer. Not sure what the prognosis is but she is on her second round of chemo and losing her amazing hair already. So - what are the best words to use when speaking or writing to a cancer sufferer? The friend due to die shortly has confided that she is really tired of people telling her how strong she is, you have got this, be strong, you are a fighter etc etc. Last week I said to her that she must feel really awful and sometimes angry about what has happened to her, and she burst into tears saying all she wants is friends to understand make an effort to listen. In other words, show a little true empathy and not just empty words of encouragement that can sound so false. Now a second friend has cancer - we learn about in on Facebook only yesterday. Her husband is a really good mate and told me they just weren't up to ringing people so please forgive them for posting on Facebook a couple of weeks after the diagnosis. Nearly all the posts on Facebook are all about how strong she is, what a fighter, give it a big kick in the bum etc etc. I sent a post and a personal message as well, reminding them about the holiday we had early last year (before Covid) and how much we should all look forward the the opportunity to do that again! Not that I look for this at all, but did notice my post got heaps of likes. So the big question is - what does the cancer sufferer really want to hear? I know everyone is different and so are friendships. It's just that this double lot of rotten news has been really hard to take and made an impact on me that I wasn't expecting. And it's going to get worse as the end nears for both of them. Any comments from forum users who have battled through close friends deaths would be appreciated. Especially concerning what is was that the dying friend found most comforting to hear. Thanks very much, I hope to hear from you. All the best, The Bro

Luna_Light *Trigger warning - Sexual Assault* Scared lost and alone what do I do?
  • replies: 4

From the age of 12 till I was 13 I was S/A and abused by my mother's BF until he was deported back to the USA because his visa ran out. I was so happy he was still in contact for while after he left, I hated pretending everything was fine and pretend... View more

From the age of 12 till I was 13 I was S/A and abused by my mother's BF until he was deported back to the USA because his visa ran out. I was so happy he was still in contact for while after he left, I hated pretending everything was fine and pretend that the things he would say over the phone was not horrible, but there was still the threat that he was coming back, but he stopped calling so I thought I was free & no one had to know what he did to me. Until I was 15 & my mother had found him on social media she told me she was thinking about getting in contact with him again told her NO but I had to tell her why. She told me that she believed me we cried, I had felt like I wasn't alone any more. the next day I went the police station to make a report. After this day the police collected evidence & statements the relationship between my self & my mother declined. I couldn't understand why but she seemed to be mad at me one day a thought popped into my head "I don't think she believes me, but she is my mother she knows I would never lie about this. Right?" For about the next 3 years every few months I would get a phone call from the police checking if I wanted to continue with the case I would always say "YES" they would say ok then end of the call. It's would destroy my mental health every time but I wanted justice so I kept saying yes. But eventually the polices stopped calling. Years go by I found out my mother was telling people what happened to me & that she didn't believe me. Then last year an officer had come across my case & so the officer called me, told me that if it was OK with me he wanted to continue with the case & that he had already contact with the FBI they had enough evidence and information to extradite 'HIM' back to Aus & charge 'HIM'. This was ment with a lot of feelings but I said yes. But we are still in the middle of a pandemic so it keeps getting pushed back and now I'm stuck in limbo waiting for international travel to open so I can go to court now I'm stuck here feeling like it's never going to happen, if/when It does what will happen what will court be like? Will I make it through the whole process? When I testify should ask for him to be removed? What happens if HE is found not guilty or if HE is found guilty how will I deal with the fact that he is back in Aus. flash backs are getting worse, I can't sleep at night, most days. I try & tell people that I'm not ok but they just don't understand how bad it is getting for me.

Daniel_LK91 How to get my life back on track?
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone. I had a lot of bad experiences, mostly throughout my 20's experimenting with different kinds of drugs and overall just a host of bad decisions like dropping out of university, I have also not been able to keep a stable job. I lost all of... View more

Hi everyone. I had a lot of bad experiences, mostly throughout my 20's experimenting with different kinds of drugs and overall just a host of bad decisions like dropping out of university, I have also not been able to keep a stable job. I lost all of my friends throughout my twenties and now spend most of my time alone. I feel pretty alone most times and have trouble socializing, keeping a job, making friends and functioning in the world. I would really like to get myself back on track and live a "normal" life if possible. I think I developed trauma from some negative drug experiences. How can I get my life back on track? Thanks, Daniel.

Sary Sary
  • replies: 2

I m sary and new here how do I see my my previous message that I posted today morning

I m sary and new here how do I see my my previous message that I posted today morning

Doolhof How to move on
  • replies: 220

Hi All, I've not been around for a while. It has been quite an interesting year since May last year. I've struggled quite a bit with Complex PTSD, BPD Depression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks and grief. Where to from here? I have been stuck for a... View more

Hi All, I've not been around for a while. It has been quite an interesting year since May last year. I've struggled quite a bit with Complex PTSD, BPD Depression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks and grief. Where to from here? I have been stuck for a while with little energy to move on and not much of an idea how to move on anyway. It is hard when my mind decides it wants to disconnect as that feels safer and then I wander through each day like a person in a movie set, just pretending. Empty. Distant. Anyone else have trouble getting from one day to the next, waking up in the morning and wondering what on earth you are going to do with that day? At least at work I know I need to be there and have a rough idea what I am supposed to be doing! I wrote more here and deleted it. I have reached out for help in so many places. Maybe I am just too broken to be fixed. Maybe this is as good as it gets. Maybe I just need to be more grateful for all I do have and continue to stuff my issues down inside of me hoping they don't find a way to the surface anymore. The last psychologist I saw told me I need to buy new curtains for the house, a comfortable chair to sit in and new pictures for the walls! Oh yes, that will certainly help with the CPTSD, BPD, Suicidal thoughts, past traumas and unresolved grief that all come uninvited to attack my mind. Why didn't I think of doing that earlier! I don't need a psychologist I need thousands of dollars and an interior designer! How to move on? I am open to suggestions!

Sary Itchy skin
  • replies: 2

Anyone on here has experienced itch skin and no matter what treatment u use it doesn’t help the itch

Anyone on here has experienced itch skin and no matter what treatment u use it doesn’t help the itch

Mossliy Nasty people and unsupportive partner
  • replies: 1

I have lived in a nice little area for the last few years with my young children. Lately neighbouring properties have been turned into moto X tracks (I am not against the bikes) I am being targeted as soon as my partner goes away for work. Kids ridin... View more

I have lived in a nice little area for the last few years with my young children. Lately neighbouring properties have been turned into moto X tracks (I am not against the bikes) I am being targeted as soon as my partner goes away for work. Kids riding motorbikes,constant loud revving, starting at 7am and not finishing until 6pm on the weekends.(only supposed to be a 2hour limit for dirtbikes in the area) I have already spoken to one of the parents asking them to not rev excessively near my house with a response of I don't care attitude. I have gotten used to the noise however my young kids wanted to go and play outside but were unable to due to the terrible dust created. I had to ask my kids to stay inside due to one of them having a chronic health issue. I felt unsafe to ask them to stop riding near my house. I called my partner who basically told me to"get over it" Now I just want to take my kids and leave as I can't stand living here and don't want to be with someone who can't help stand up for me . The only trouble is that having a chronicly ill child makes it hard to do that. I just needed to vent as theres no other help available to me