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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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Scapegoated Hi. I wonder when it will go away...thinking that people are doing and saying evil things to me like my mother
  • replies: 2

I have an older sibling who is an adult and she and my mother would gang up on me and abuse me. I am ten years younger so she is an adult sibling. She is a narcissist as is my mother. My sister and mother said and did such evil things to me mocking m... View more

I have an older sibling who is an adult and she and my mother would gang up on me and abuse me. I am ten years younger so she is an adult sibling. She is a narcissist as is my mother. My sister and mother said and did such evil things to me mocking me all the time because I was my father's favorite that I always think other people are mocking me in the same way, they did not respect me that is for sure. So I always think that everyone will do the same because i attracted really mean kids when I was in grammar school and they did the same thing my sister and mother did. It was horrible. But then I grew and am considered very pretty and people are nice to me but I always think they are saying bad things still. I wonder if this is ever going to change. Where I can just trust that someone is not like my mother and older sibling and uncles. All four of those people ganged up on me. My father is a drunk. He turned to the bottle to get away from my mother and sister's cruelty and abandoned me to them. he left me in the lions den. The thing is I met some nice people and they are not doing these things to me but it is hard for me to believe that people are just wanting to be nice. Even though that is my reality now. I know that my adult sibling who violated all my boundaries and my mother as well, traumatized me but I am seeing the difference between safe and dangerous people I think finally. Even though I still question whether they will turn out to be mean and evil.

SapphireDreams Diagnosed with complex PTSD and bpd
  • replies: 2

Hi, I've been diagnosed for quite a few years now. But honestly I'm not sure I understand what complex PTSD is? Could anyone explain? And do any of you have any treatments you could suggest for me? So tired of struggling. Please and thank you

Hi, I've been diagnosed for quite a few years now. But honestly I'm not sure I understand what complex PTSD is? Could anyone explain? And do any of you have any treatments you could suggest for me? So tired of struggling. Please and thank you

psalm_139 what happens when you report sexual assault (TW)
  • replies: 5

Just wanting some insight into what happens when you report a sexual assault to the police (NSW). Whats the process, whats been you experience, what happens to the accused offender (are they charged, do they go to jail, would the police show up at hi... View more

Just wanting some insight into what happens when you report a sexual assault to the police (NSW). Whats the process, whats been you experience, what happens to the accused offender (are they charged, do they go to jail, would the police show up at his door) Working my way up to reporting what happened but feel like I need more understanding about the process. I am scared of not being believed, I am scared of what the offender could do to me, I am scared that he might make up lies or say that I wanted what he did to happen (not true), I am just really scared. The offence happened end of last year and again this year. So because I havent reported yet I am also scared that they will say to me 'why didn't you report it straight away'? Thankyou

PatM1 Can you have PTSD twice in your lifetime.
  • replies: 1

First, PTSD was when I was 5 years old from my mothers' brother, and my grandmother's next-door neighbour kept my silence until I was 22 had seen a psychologist from the age of 6 because my mother thought I was having pal mal seizures. But they were ... View more

First, PTSD was when I was 5 years old from my mothers' brother, and my grandmother's next-door neighbour kept my silence until I was 22 had seen a psychologist from the age of 6 because my mother thought I was having pal mal seizures. But they were nothing of the sort. So I did not tell her, just I was frightened of what might happen to her. The abuse went on until I was 8. I could not complete state school because of a nervous breakdown, so in grade 6 was transferred to a special school, so my lack of education cost me a great deal in self-esteem. The second PTSD was when I was 42 years old. My children and I went to my sister and brother-in-law's place for the Easter holidays at 1 am; I found myself doing CPR on my brother in law trying to bring him back to life, but that was not the case. We lost him that night. I have suffered from trauma twice in my life, so my question is can you have PTSD twice in your lifetime.

Curious77 Feeling anxious about home
  • replies: 155

Hello all, I thought I would give these forums a try because I feel anxious every time I go home because I have come to the conclusion that my father is psychologically abusing me, continually harassing me and lying to me and not allowing me peace in... View more

Hello all, I thought I would give these forums a try because I feel anxious every time I go home because I have come to the conclusion that my father is psychologically abusing me, continually harassing me and lying to me and not allowing me peace in general by trying to get me upset all the time. I am on a low income and I do not think too well because I stress out easily and feel overwhelmed by it all. I do not know how to get myself out of this and I do not have any close friends or family because of my father's behaviour and my own low self esteem and feelings of worthlessness. I can not remember the last time I was happy to be alive and connected to the world around me and I would like that to change.

Enoughloss_ Ptsd childhood trauma and the ripple effect
  • replies: 7

Where to start we talk about having to be silent about keeping quiet about the abuse many people suffer at the hands of the people who are meant to protect us. But what happens when you do tell when people do go to jail and apologise for the wrong th... View more

Where to start we talk about having to be silent about keeping quiet about the abuse many people suffer at the hands of the people who are meant to protect us. But what happens when you do tell when people do go to jail and apologise for the wrong they did to you? While many seem to think it’s good is it really? Sadly society is not as forgiving to both the victim ( she must of dressed or acted in some way to deserve it, maybe she is like the person who abused her and will do that to others) or the offender ( he is a bad person any one who knows him must be ok with what he had done, he could never change once an abuser always an abuser) yet our justice says he has done his time for the crime and has had his life theatened and almost taken from other inmates now has the right to live as we all do free to get on with his life and leave the past behind with in limits. now society views the offender by his crime and the victim must not have anything to do with him otherwise they are seen to be condoning the behaviour that resulted in the prison term in the first place. so where does this leave the victim? They have no family and are punished no matter which path they take.

Bella99 Im not sure why all of a sudden my mental health has gone so low
  • replies: 2

I’m 22 and suddenly all my old issues have risen up…. I’m not sure how to cope… I was used for sex at 14 by a 19 year old and have lost everything since then to try and take them to court I feel like I’ve failed and how will I ever get to tell him Ho... View more

I’m 22 and suddenly all my old issues have risen up…. I’m not sure how to cope… I was used for sex at 14 by a 19 year old and have lost everything since then to try and take them to court I feel like I’ve failed and how will I ever get to tell him How I feel about ruining my child hood…. If I can’t find anything from the past do I move on and ignore it ever happened or do I sent a text explaining how pissed off I still am to him so I can feel …. Idk something

Kitty1991 Will seeing someone ACTUALLY help?
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone, it has taken me many years to realise that my childhood was filled with daily sexual abuse from my older siblings. From when I started kindergarten to when I left home, it was normal behaviour and just what I was meant to do. My parents ... View more

Hi everyone, it has taken me many years to realise that my childhood was filled with daily sexual abuse from my older siblings. From when I started kindergarten to when I left home, it was normal behaviour and just what I was meant to do. My parents found out about it when I still in primary school, because i got very sick. I was told that I wasn’t old enough for that yet. So a year later when I was older it started again. It has affected me everyday, I still blame myself, even though logically I know it is not my fault. I have never shared my story, I guess I think people would agree it is my fault. There is a free service near me that provides counseling to survivors of sexual abuse. I keep hesitating to reach out to them though. Would it actually help me to stop thinking about the abuse and blaming myself? Most days I hate myself and what has happened, I keep blaming myself. I have extremely severe depression and extremely severe anxiety and I see a counsellor for that but I don’t know if I am going to get better unless I deal with my childhood. But I don’t know if I can talk to someone about it. Does anyone have any advice? Has counseling actually helped anyone move on before? And what do I do about my family including my abusers that I have regular contact with.

SoulSearch Different reactions to different traumas
  • replies: 1

Hi all I’ve recently discovered that perhaps some things I dealt with as a child and how I was raised have had a massive impact on how I behave in relationships. How close or open or intimate I can allow myself to be before withdrawing and isolating ... View more

Hi all I’ve recently discovered that perhaps some things I dealt with as a child and how I was raised have had a massive impact on how I behave in relationships. How close or open or intimate I can allow myself to be before withdrawing and isolating myself because I’m scared, I’m not good at being vulnerable. As I read through some of these posts and learn about trauma and PTSD my dealings seem somewhat insignificant in comparison to what others have dealt with. Do you think that people out there can have such different reactions and feel things so differently based on the event? And some people recover easily and move on and others find it harder? I find myself in that limbo zone where I don’t think my “trauma” is significant to others and there for I just should move on. Hope I’m making some sense??!

psalm_139 offender has girlfriend who doesn't know what he has done
  • replies: 2

TW - sexual assault. The person who assaulted me has a girlfriend, who doesn't know what he has done (I assume). I don't know her (personally - have seen her on social media) and she doesn't know me or have any idea who I am. I am stuck. If my partne... View more

TW - sexual assault. The person who assaulted me has a girlfriend, who doesn't know what he has done (I assume). I don't know her (personally - have seen her on social media) and she doesn't know me or have any idea who I am. I am stuck. If my partner had assaulted someone, I would want to know...what would you do in this situation? I could reach out to her on social media. But am also very scared to do that because of what the offender could do. Please help.