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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: 275

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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TimTams Bad experience with police/reporting rape?
  • replies: 66

Hi, I am hoping to hear from other rape survivors in hope someone has been through what I have. When I reported my rape an officer encouraged me not to report 2 other assaults by this person because it sounded like "risky sex". This really hurt, beca... View more

Hi, I am hoping to hear from other rape survivors in hope someone has been through what I have. When I reported my rape an officer encouraged me not to report 2 other assaults by this person because it sounded like "risky sex". This really hurt, because each time I was badly assaulted. I am wondering is anyone else who has reported rape in Australia has had bad experiences with police like me? I am finding it really hard to understand why not all victims are given the chance to go to court due to 'not enough evidence' as well. Of course rapists will deny it and I just cannot understand how this is all the system does before closing a case. Has anyone else struggled with not having 'enough evidence' to get a conviction and bad remarks from police officers? This has really deeply affected my trust in society. It just feels hard to understand the world when you are raised to believe these things are wrong, yet police support the rapist. Thank you for any insights. I have felt very alone in this and was wondering if there are others out there who have had similar bad experiences when reporting their rape?

Female PTSD @ Trauma
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I’m here today to reach out to like minded people like myself who suffer from PTSD & Trauma . I’ve suffered Trauma all my life , but the last 7 years has been challenge for me .If your suffering like me I would love to hear from you all ... View more

Hi everyone, I’m here today to reach out to like minded people like myself who suffer from PTSD & Trauma . I’ve suffered Trauma all my life , but the last 7 years has been challenge for me .If your suffering like me I would love to hear from you all to help with many strategies to overcome them thank you

Scampy Narisstic adult daughter
  • replies: 1

Hi I am new here. For many years I experienced abuse from.my husband then left him when my daughter was 6. She has autism and an intellectual impairment. I always ha difficulty dealing with her behaviour. We saw numerous therapists and psychologist b... View more

Hi I am new here. For many years I experienced abuse from.my husband then left him when my daughter was 6. She has autism and an intellectual impairment. I always ha difficulty dealing with her behaviour. We saw numerous therapists and psychologist but no one helped me with her aggressive, revengeful control behaviours. I honestly don't think they believed me. I have a teaching degree so I knew how to manage children's behaviours but I couldn't control my own child. She is now 21 and is living with a boyfriend who is now under her control. She displays narisstic traits. He has been so good to her and he is a kind soul. His family is now very worried about their son and have asked me to help. But she won't listen to anything I say to help her in any kind of way. As a result of years of abuse from my own child I also have received trauma from her. It breaks my heart that she is now hurting another gentle soul and family. Is there anything I can do to convince her to get some help?

Tonic Self Loathing...
  • replies: 2

Hi Gang. Saw a post here somewhere "I Hate Myself".Made a few posts here... Bipolar (Depressive since 14, MAD since 2003), CSA Survivor (8/9-12-14) Peer Group Survivor Supporter and friend for 20 years. SELF HATRED.Knew THAT back in My Day. Despised/... View more

Hi Gang. Saw a post here somewhere "I Hate Myself".Made a few posts here... Bipolar (Depressive since 14, MAD since 2003), CSA Survivor (8/9-12-14) Peer Group Survivor Supporter and friend for 20 years. SELF HATRED.Knew THAT back in My Day. Despised/Disgusted with myself. "It's SH*TE Bein' ME! Ah'm the Lowest of the LOW!" - TRAINSPOTTING (Adapted) I saw it all as Weakness too. Too WEAK to say NO to Predators (not yell "No WAY!!" and run a Km like a virtuous boy ought).I was Pathalogically Shy as a kid too, and saw this as WEAKNESS too, Social COWARDICE, and Hated myself for THAT too...My School Reports (Bombed in EVERYTHING But English and History) All said "NOT working to capacity/Potential" "Inattentive in class". Easily Distracted. So I thought I was a LOSER and Weak Failure THERE too. It ALL Builds UP, reasons NOT to be a ((((FRIEND)))) To Yourself. I wasn't for Decades. Pretty Proud of what I do these days, Life has HOPE and PURPOSE, and using a Skill Set to Comfort Others. Buddhist PSYCHOLOGY!! (Not Philosophy)."Everyone's Problem is the Same, down Deep, we just don't SEE it for the Surface Squalls and Trials. It is living a Dissatisfied/Unfulfilled Life with No Hope or Purpose to it.Found Mine.Share it.

Sambucca Sexual harrassment and sexual assault
  • replies: 6

My landlord has been sexually harassing me and touching me for 3years. Due to the housing crisis I kept a diary of the happenings until it was time I move out and then proceed to report to police. Landlord has just found out I have been keeping recor... View more

My landlord has been sexually harassing me and touching me for 3years. Due to the housing crisis I kept a diary of the happenings until it was time I move out and then proceed to report to police. Landlord has just found out I have been keeping records of his behaviour and has kicked me out onto the streets. I have reported to police 2 times now as I was told by the woman's sexual assault councillor that there is a victims assist package to get me out and safe but need a police report number. Police are not taking it seriously making excuses for his harrassesment. I feel let down by police, they are meant to protect us. Police said I'm only reporting as a retaliation because landlord has kicked me out. It's actually the landlord retaliating on me because he found out I have evidence. The justice system is broken in north Queensland. My mental health is beyond control. My meds don't work, I'm on the streets were I don't belong. Why is it so hard to prosecute this behaviour even with evidence?

kiwiboy0897 I’m a 27-Year-Old Kid
  • replies: 2

Hi, I still feel like I’m 6, 12, 17 years old. It’s like I’m stuck at those ages at certain times in certain days because I didn’t get to live those days like I wanted to when I had them. Even now, I find myself repeating the same behaviours to have ... View more

Hi, I still feel like I’m 6, 12, 17 years old. It’s like I’m stuck at those ages at certain times in certain days because I didn’t get to live those days like I wanted to when I had them. Even now, I find myself repeating the same behaviours to have the same routine every night, like I would’ve had when I could in my teen years. It’s like I lost the time, lost who I am and lost my ability to move forward… Just stuck. I have a career now. I’m educated on a tertiary level. I’ve achieved ‘success’ in many avenues. But on nights like this, I go back to being that 6 year old kid… And nights like this is every night. I’m afraid I’ll never be able to move on. I’m still fighting, and won’t give up fighting, but the child within me refuses to grow up. He refuses to forgive the time that escaped him.Thank you for reading. I needed somewhere to get this off my chest, knowing some eyes world read it.

angecorn The time i was hurt
  • replies: 2

I think i might have trauma?! A few weeks ago i was beaten up by a group of girls at a sleepover simpily because they did not like me and now everytime since then when j try to sleep its all i can think about till i start shaking and crying same with... View more

I think i might have trauma?! A few weeks ago i was beaten up by a group of girls at a sleepover simpily because they did not like me and now everytime since then when j try to sleep its all i can think about till i start shaking and crying same with when im in school if somone jokingly says “wanna fight” i have the urge to run and start shaking mabye im overthinking it but im not sure why i csnt just get past it its over and done with i dont know why i cant just like forget it happend and be happy it makes me so angry because ill relize im hsppy then straight away like STRAIGHT AWAY be sent back to when i was screaming crying for help , i dont know mabye im over reacting or being a baby but thats all

Miss Odette CPTSD & Royal commission into domestic violence
  • replies: 2

Since all the news on television and the upsurge of violence /murder against woman lately.Has anyone found their CPTSD has been exacerbated.? If so how are you coping with the situation.?It is my wish to write to the Royal Commission regarding a most... View more

Since all the news on television and the upsurge of violence /murder against woman lately.Has anyone found their CPTSD has been exacerbated.? If so how are you coping with the situation.?It is my wish to write to the Royal Commission regarding a most serious incident which included grievous assult occasioning. And other incidents not to be mentioned here.ONE SMALL VOICE. I want my voice to be heard. I have thought long and hard about this but feel I have to tread gently as not to place myself at risk. The incident happened many years ago. And I know how I was mistreated ( not by all) and do not wish other women to endure the same. I have never done anything like this before.Has anyone any practical suggestions. Please.? Regarding how they manage stimuli of their CPTSD.Kind Regards Odette

Lezza Struggling with guilt for being on DSP and being triggered by comments
  • replies: 4

I have ASD, ADHD and CPTSD (from childhood) and recently got approved for the DSP. I should have been happy but my housemate made a comment under her breath and then complained about dishes. She's complained to her coworkers (I found out through some... View more

I have ASD, ADHD and CPTSD (from childhood) and recently got approved for the DSP. I should have been happy but my housemate made a comment under her breath and then complained about dishes. She's complained to her coworkers (I found out through someone else) saying that she thinks I'm capable of work. It sent me over the edge and I relapsed with self harm after 2 years without doing it. I struggle with feeling safe at home in general due to my upbringing and I'm at the end of my rope. I can't find any housing as I'm on Centrelink and rentals reject me as there's a big line of people waiting and workers and families are priorities and I can't afford a caravan. Been on the cat 1 housing waiting list for 2 years. Anyways I feel guilty because I can't work my regular job. Only volunteer work and my housemate and other people believe I'm capable of regular work because the volunteering I do is for emergency services, both fire and ambulance. (Fire gets quiet in winter). The thing is for some reason emergency services is the only work I've not dreaded, I love it. It's the only place that's ever made me feel like I have any value and when I'm on a job it's the only place I feel like I'm in the moment, like my heads calm for once and I can work but I still struggle with some stuff due to trauma. It's helped me with self confidence and building skills. Sometimes even when I'm neglecting everything else and unable to get out of bed it's the only thing I can bring myself to do The thing is tho I still feel guilty and like I'm nothing but a dole bludger who should be able to handle regular work. I've tried paid work again and again over the years and it's always ended up with me hospitalized or frustrated. Because of my housemates comments too I don't want to be in the house at all. I had a breakdown today at the possibility of having to move town to get housing. If I move town though I'll have to move or drop my volunteer work and my only supports are here and I might have to rehome my lizard. I don't want to rehome a pet due to my living circumstances again. It's killing me, all I've ever wanted is stability and I would love to work a regular job and be normal. I'm not sure what to do anymore. I feel like nothing I ever do is good enough and that I'm never enough. I've thought about paid work in emergency services but it would be a long time to be well enough to do it full time and even then there's the possibility I'm too mentally ill to do it full time.

Debbie Downer Feeling Stuck
  • replies: 1

Hello, Needing more advice and hope from the wonderful people on here as I've got none and can't think of anything else to do. I'm at a point in my recovery where I feel stuck, my issue is that I dream too big and have self acceptance problems. I hav... View more

Hello, Needing more advice and hope from the wonderful people on here as I've got none and can't think of anything else to do. I'm at a point in my recovery where I feel stuck, my issue is that I dream too big and have self acceptance problems. I have CPTSD, Depression, Anxiety a chronic pain disorder and recently been diagnosed with ADHD. I feel like I have tried everything to get better and it's getting worse and I am more nihilistic, everything I try feels like a failure as I'm not ~better~. I cannot accept myself and that recovery is a journey which isn't cured therefore I cannot get confident because I must be perfect to equal greatness which stops me from trying to pursue further education or passions. It feels like a self fullfilling proficy. I can't stop dreaming big, this leads to heartache when I realise all the work it will take to get there, which is hard to believe will ever happen because it's been 15 years of healing and I'm still falling apart at work when criticised or feeling judged or triggered by a client (I work in mental health) spiralling into a tunnel of worthlessness and defeat. I want to give up DSP which I know is impossible to get for start but then if approved I'm screwed financially and have to give up up my rental and change the remaining things that spark any joy (hobbies that cost money).