Immediate support
Immediate support

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.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

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.

ocean-man Making a change for someone who's miles away
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I need some advice. I've been in a long-distance relationship with a girl living in the US for about 3 months now. We both love each other very much and can depend on each other. However, as of late things have become much more concerning for... View more

Hi all, I need some advice. I've been in a long-distance relationship with a girl living in the US for about 3 months now. We both love each other very much and can depend on each other. However, as of late things have become much more concerning for me. This girl lives in an abusive family, physically and mentally, and it's beginning to have an extreme toll on her mental health. The main offender is her mother, who's had three children including her (that I know of) with a fourth on the way. For so long this woman has done so much to harm her. She's neglected her, played favourites with her younger brother and, in the worst cases, physically assaulted her for almost no reason. I can elaborate on some things if need be, but that's about the gist of it. I've done so much to try and help her, living in Australia, yet it's beginning to fall flat. My ultimate goal is to get her to a place where she's able to live without having to worry about not being treated right, where she doesn't have to hole herself up in her room in order to avoid being yelled at for nothing. I've urged her to call the police and yet her family lies in order to save their own skin. I've given her hotlines to call and I'm not sure if she's contacted any of them. I genuinely don't know what to do anymore, but I don't want to leave her to fend for herself. She's very unstable mentally and I'm worried something bad will happen if I don't do something soon. Thank you in advance

Jane363 4 years of PTSD, Depression and Chronic Pain after being attacked at work
  • replies: 9

So this stage of my life is a new experience for me. Used to take care of others, never asked for help for myself. Find this difficult to be open & vulnerable. Everybody's rock. Single mum 3 kids & extras. Primary carer both parents. Disability worke... View more

So this stage of my life is a new experience for me. Used to take care of others, never asked for help for myself. Find this difficult to be open & vulnerable. Everybody's rock. Single mum 3 kids & extras. Primary carer both parents. Disability worker. Attacked at work by client (after going to help coworker); caused soft tissue injuries, broken bones, detached retina, spinal nerve damage, massive weight gain... Literally had to learn to walk again. Now suffer chronic pain, nerve pain, falls due to balance issues, muscle spasms & tremors, cervicogenic headaches (migraine on steroids - stimulation eg light, noise, clothes... all painful), ocular migraines (temp loss of vision), nightmares, depression, grief & ptsd. ANGRY. There's more but thats enough negative. I lived to dance, paint, garden, read and cook. I loved & lived life to the fullest, always busy. Now I can barely walk. Chances of making it back to the dance floor - not. I chair dance on my rare good days. Although I can't stand the noise from the music. I'll never cook again. - blending flavours, creating visual appeal and taste; totally lost knife skills; painting fairyland or dolphin/undersea murals was my release from life's stress. gardening is another lost skill - can't do bonsai safely anymore, nor can I cope with the demands of maintaining a decent garden. Reading is slowly coming back - I can read short stories again sometimes. I keep notes of characters & plot line, so I don't I forget and lose understanding. There is so much of my life I have lost. Pet peeve - general public's belief that they have the "right" to know my life story. I'm not some freaking reality TV show for their entertainment. Yes there is a horrifying story about intrusion beyond social acceptability behind this issue. I was actually chased into the toilets by someone who felt that it was their right to know my story. I have changed from a very social person to complete self-isolation. I talk to my medical team & 1 friend who wouldn't let me cut them out of my life, no matter how hard I tried. So do I have a life? NO! I exist. But I am slowly (4 years now) coming to terms with this new "life". Have I considered ending it all? Several times, but couldn't do that to my kids - the life-sentence of grief and guilt they would feel stops me every time. So now its time to learn how to start living again - maybe not how I had planned, but that's life. This was my next step on that pathway.

Icantthinkofaname Too repressed to ever have a relationship? (TW)
  • replies: 2

Over the course of my life, either as a result of what I was exposed to, or what I exposed my self to in coping with it, I've locked away all notion of sex/sexuality in a box labeled "do not touch." It kept me safe when my only sexual/romantic relati... View more

Over the course of my life, either as a result of what I was exposed to, or what I exposed my self to in coping with it, I've locked away all notion of sex/sexuality in a box labeled "do not touch." It kept me safe when my only sexual/romantic relationships were detrimental. But now I'm 18. I'm an adult that hasn't kissed since 13 - if we're even counting that. I heard a peer talk about crushes and dating, and it reminded me that other people still feel that. A special type of joy, nervous butterflies, holding someone's hand. THings that feel childish and unsafe simultaneously. Things that feel like they will never be mine again. I'm at a place that is still too afraid to even conceptualise myself being viewed in a sexual/romantic way, but this small voice, the young romantic I once was, yearns for it. And it sucks because I should have spent my teen years experimenting with "love" and crushes and sexuality. But instead they were spent fortifying a brick wall, locking me inside, and everyone else out. I don't know what to do with it now.

Love2020 Living with abusive alcoholic father
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I have a previous thread I wrote a thread in relation to my deep hatred for my father. I am here again in the midst of lockdowns, I am not coping with living with my father who is abusive and alcoholic. Throughout my entire life he has led an... View more

Hi all, I have a previous thread I wrote a thread in relation to my deep hatred for my father. I am here again in the midst of lockdowns, I am not coping with living with my father who is abusive and alcoholic. Throughout my entire life he has led an extremely toxic lifestyle. One of alcoholism, gambling addiction, smoking, physically abusive towards his children, emotional affairs on my mother. I have been a victim of violent and physical abuse which ended when I was an early adult. Nonetheless, to this day he posses all other toxic traits I listed above. I believe his excessive drinking is causing increasing damage to his brain. He is distant, does not care to engage in conversation with myself or my mother, sleeps throughout the day and only wakes up to eat or sit around with his lone company. He is not interested in anything else. I cannot tolerate living with this man who has abused me my entire life and now during lockdown, I face him every day. He is like living with a filthy animal. He drinks so much that it causes him to make these burp/groans all throughout the day. It sounds like a yell, it is so loud that neighbours can hear and it is clockwork. I know it sounds ridiculous but I am so ashamed. He literally spits his spit around the garden and leaves his pile of dirty dishes in the sink. He is a filthy person. The house is old and run down and he won't fix anything as he is lazy and spends his money on abusive substances. I have started to notice signs of PTSD. I startled when I see him unexpectedly around the house and I anticipate his verbal abuse or his burps/groans and spits at any given time. He is such a physical stressor for me and my body responds with heighten blood pressure, anxiety, increased heart rate and implosion of anger. In the most extreme response, I begin thinking about how I wished he was dead. I know that's extreme but that's level of hatred I have. He cannot be spoken to or he will respond with verbal abuse. I have a plan to move out eventually, but during lockdowns I cannot cope. I already lock myself in my room all day and its not enough to tame mental health. Please share if you can relate.

Leisa68 hitting the bottom again
  • replies: 6

Hi all, It has been a while since I have posted, I was well for most of the year (surprisingly), but have hit rock bottom since March this year. I know I am not alone, but it frightens me how quickly I was cowering in a corner, (with no-one understan... View more

Hi all, It has been a while since I have posted, I was well for most of the year (surprisingly), but have hit rock bottom since March this year. I know I am not alone, but it frightens me how quickly I was cowering in a corner, (with no-one understanding and why would they?) frightened I was not going to make it through the day. I get so confused. I am good tonight, being able to turn my mind off for a while. I was wanting to ask about EDMR, has anyone tried that intervention, and has it worked? Or does it make you worse? I would be so grateful for any answer. The pain of cowering in a corner is excruciating. Is there anything that any person does to help them with this terrible condition? I also wanted to express my support for people in Vic and NSW. You must be finding it very hard and I wish you well. Leisa

Federer Gaslighting at work
  • replies: 5

I have been a victim of gaslighting and severe psychological trauma to the point where nothing feels like it used to in the past. Like things music and gym and even a laugh hurts. The workplace environment has done this to me where I was psychologica... View more

I have been a victim of gaslighting and severe psychological trauma to the point where nothing feels like it used to in the past. Like things music and gym and even a laugh hurts. The workplace environment has done this to me where I was psychologically traumatised from left, right and centre and even behind me as well. I had the word Penis sign put back of my hoodie. I have been subjected severe gaslighting where I was treated like a puppet by everyone and questioned my sanity and I couldn't ask for help or assistance in a Corporate environment. Sadly, I brought home that toxicity and it has destroyed my relationship with my family. I saw all of the EAPs and Psychologist but nothing was done and I tried to compromise with them through mediation as in my employer but they would not agree to it as I was trying to put in a complaint against the sex discrimination act but nothing was done and a settlement was not reached. THe corporate environment was pure evil and very cuthroat with a lot of subtle bullying and emotional ambient abuse that the staff could get away with it where it would question your self worth. You know how some people have work with children I can see why, it was like a horror film right in front of my eyes. I am at a loss and comcare rejected my claim despite showing some evidence and most of the evidence is with the Department sadly, they got away with it and HR and HSRs and Harassment Contact officers were all useless nothing more tittles. HR found no evidence but most of it was buried and destroyed by them just to cover it up. What should I do? They got away with it and it has destroyed my mental health.

The_Bro DO WE CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR US?
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone The most recent time I was in a situation requiring medical care, I thought a lot about the excellent people looking after me. The along comes Covid, which appears to have established a whole new set of pressures on many care professional... View more

Hi everyone The most recent time I was in a situation requiring medical care, I thought a lot about the excellent people looking after me. The along comes Covid, which appears to have established a whole new set of pressures on many care professionals - from health workers, police, teachers and so on. We hear daily about the pressures they face. These care groups now often have to demonstrate flexibility and resilience far beyond what they ever thought would be required of them when they choose their profession. Like Police manning Covid traffic check points, breaking up banned Covid parties, hospital staff doing double shifts and dealing with relatives who cannot talk with infected family, and now teachers who have to deal with parents and students about Covid prevention measures. Its a real handful and difficult to solve, when you stop and think about it. Some of us have already required long term care or one type or another, we love our carers and highly value what they do for us. I'm not sure if I am allowed to say this on our forum, but some carers are facing new pressures that are almost 'bullying' from patients. Wouldn't a 'Care for the carers' campaign be a great idea! They are absolutely amazing people and have our interests front and centre! What do you think forum community - do you think carers get the love and respect they deserve? Do you have examples of amazing carers going the extra mile for you? Thanks so much for reading - I look forward to your views. The Bro

idontread I was assaulted by my best friend/housemate
  • replies: 6

Hi I'm new but I don't really know what to do about any of this or what I'm allowed to feel? My best friend/housemate has been going through a lot of shit recently (ex he's still in love with dating his best friend) so I've been his main support pers... View more

Hi I'm new but I don't really know what to do about any of this or what I'm allowed to feel? My best friend/housemate has been going through a lot of shit recently (ex he's still in love with dating his best friend) so I've been his main support person - it's just us in the apartment - and he was going through a particularly rough spot after coming home from a night out so he asked to stay in my room. I said ok (I have a double bed there's plenty of room) but after a bit he started touching me so I moved his hand away a number of times and then he just kept going. I kept moving his hands and shifting away - I even got up to check my phone and came back to sleep well away from him (I almost fell off the side) but eventually I had to get up and leave. He eventually got up and went to his own room after he noticed I was on the couch. In the morning he said he didn't remember anything and thanked me for being there for him. I still haven't told him what he did and it's been like 6 months. We still live together and he's still going through a rough time so I'm having to support him all the time but I hate when he's touching me and I find myself getting angrier with him quickly and resenting him a bit. Idk what to do, bc it took me ages to find a place and environment as nice as this one and I don't want to move or things to change, but it's eating at me. Any advice would be amazing aha