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

BrokenAnt 30% whole person impairment
  • replies: 0

Has anyone ever been assessed as 30% whole person impairment for psychiatric injury from workplace bullying? What has whole person percentage assessments been for other people who have been injured from being bullied at work?

Has anyone ever been assessed as 30% whole person impairment for psychiatric injury from workplace bullying? What has whole person percentage assessments been for other people who have been injured from being bullied at work?

Sean_S What therapeutic approach to trauma worked for you?
  • replies: 9

Howdy all, There are various approaches/therapies for treating trauma that I've heard of. Simply tell me, 1) Which approach you used? 2) How did it help you? Tell me as little or as much as you'd like to. I'm listening, brain sponge at the ready Sean View more

Howdy all, There are various approaches/therapies for treating trauma that I've heard of. Simply tell me, 1) Which approach you used? 2) How did it help you? Tell me as little or as much as you'd like to. I'm listening, brain sponge at the ready Sean

psalm_139 reaching out to 'abuser'
  • replies: 8

TW sexual assault. Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone has had thoughts or actually reached out to the person who assaulted them? I keep having thoughts of wanting to scream or swear at him, wanting to message him something, or even ask him questio... View more

TW sexual assault. Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone has had thoughts or actually reached out to the person who assaulted them? I keep having thoughts of wanting to scream or swear at him, wanting to message him something, or even ask him questions. I dont know if this is normal or not. I haven't seen or spoken to him since the last time he assaulted me (it happened a few times). I am torn between feeling judged or scared to message him and wanting/needing to do whatever I need to, to help with processing, or healing. there is an angry and indignant part of me that wants to, but is stopped by the scared part of me (scared of what he might do or say back to me). really, I am just wanting to know if these thoughts are normal or not. Thankyou

TheDkid I just feel so lost.
  • replies: 6

This is my first post so I apologise if it doesn’t make much sense. In February 2020 I was a victim of an armed robbery at my workplace. I was held at knifepoint by a man who was demanding money. The whole thing lasted 4 minutes. The feeling of the k... View more

This is my first post so I apologise if it doesn’t make much sense. In February 2020 I was a victim of an armed robbery at my workplace. I was held at knifepoint by a man who was demanding money. The whole thing lasted 4 minutes. The feeling of the knife against my throat will last forever. The offender did get arrested after being on the run for 5 days and there is a trial set for the end of this year. This is not the first trauma I have been through but Ive lost a lot. I lost my job and while I was only working 20 hour weeks and getting paid the minimum, I liked it, I made friends with the staff and I knew my way around everything, although my boss was horrible to me and offered no support after learning of the armed robbery because he wasn’t in the country at the time. I disconnected with my friends and now only have one close friend. I don’t leave my house and it has caused conflict with my family who also live here. I struggle with sleeping and shutting off my mind. I don’t make art anymore and the thought of that makes me feel pathetic. My family want me to get another job now and I haven’t told them but the thought of a new job terrifies me. I just feel like this is the new me. That I will always feel this unmotivated, depressed way because I’m comfortable feeling like this. I have had thoughts of why am I still here? Why do I need to keep putting myself through this when only bad things happen. And it’s hard. But I do want things to change.

24yearoldgirl Hello
  • replies: 8

Some of you may remember me from last year I posted on the forum. Long story short, I've been a carer for my mum who had a brain injury in 2010. I'm now 25 years old, and don't have any friends or career. I've been isolated, developed depression, anx... View more

Some of you may remember me from last year I posted on the forum. Long story short, I've been a carer for my mum who had a brain injury in 2010. I'm now 25 years old, and don't have any friends or career. I've been isolated, developed depression, anxiety and had many breakdowns. Well this year, I've been diagnosed with a psychosis, and Schizophreniform disorder. Although I'm not sure I 100% agree. I was admitted to a hospital ward recently, and forced onto medication, which had horrible side effects for me, to the point where I needed a wheelchair from loss of energy. Luckily, I'm now back home and not currently on any medications. I was feeling well for some time, exercising, cleaning the house etc. But more recently I feel loss of motivation to get up and repeat the same activities. Having feelings of depression, and self-sabotage. Our lease ends in 2 months, My social worker is encouraging me to leave my mum, and go and study next year. I feel that this constant procrastination over whether I should stay or leave, is not good for my mental health. Why do I feel so guilty for leaving my mum, why do I feel compassionate towards her, when there were times she hurt me. Any thoughts? Hope everyone is doing well.

psalm_139 Content: Sexual assault.
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. This is my first post. I have found these threads helpful to 'normalise' what I am going through and hear of others peoples experiences. I feel like I need to share whats happened to me and ask for help. Trigger warning: I talk about a m... View more

Hi everyone. This is my first post. I have found these threads helpful to 'normalise' what I am going through and hear of others peoples experiences. I feel like I need to share whats happened to me and ask for help. Trigger warning: I talk about a man who has sexually assaulted me I was sexually assaulted a couple of times by the same person, someone I used to work with. This occurred in October 2020 after a work dinner, and again while at work in January 2021. At the time I froze and didn't know what to do. I have told my boss, my partner and parents. He no longer works at the same place, my bosses asked him to leave. I feel like I need convincing that he assaulted me. I still sometimes think, was it sexual assault? is it my fault? how can someone be so cruel? does he know what he's done? does he know thats sexual assault? I have been seeing a psychologist and told her and my GP. I have been approved for VS counselling. But I feel like I need more support. I am feeling so depressed and anxious. I have started SH too. Which I haven't told anyone yet. I am feeling so angry at him, at the impact its having on my life and mental health. I am angry that none of what happened has to affect him. I often see him at his new work or his girlfriend around the area as we live in is close. Its so hard to see and know that his girlfriend probably has no idea. I am too scared at this stage to report to police because I am scared that he will lie, turn it on me, or say things like I wanted it to happen. Please help, any advice is appreciated. Thankyou.

destlomby T.W. Sexual Assault - seeking advice 💞
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I was sexually assaulted in 2019 by someone that I was really close friends with. Nobody in my group really liked him but I was always really nice to him because he would tell me that he was upset about not having friends and that he was... View more

Hi everyone, I was sexually assaulted in 2019 by someone that I was really close friends with. Nobody in my group really liked him but I was always really nice to him because he would tell me that he was upset about not having friends and that he was feeling really left out. I had a free house and I invited him and some of my other mates over for drinks. I got really drunk and one of my friends put me to bed. I woke up to him opening the door to my room and I remember he came and laid next to me and then proceeded to get on top of me. I was so drunk I couldn’t move and I kept asking him to stop, telling him I was too drunk and saying no and that I didn’t want to have sex with him. I was so drunk that I was in and out of consciousness the whole time and barely remember anything. After that he continued to message me saying that I said yes and that I consented and saying that it was okay because he was drunk too. He convinced me that it was my fault and that I just didn’t properly remember saying yes because I was too drunk. I’m having difficulty getting through it and it was almost 2 years ago. I haven’t been able to be in a relationship with anyone since and it effects my sex life. I’ve tried contacting SARC but they can’t get me in for 6 months. I want to go to the police but I’m scared. Had anyone had a good experience with going to the police and reporting it? Just looking for some advice on how to move on because I’m so scared and depressed. He also goes to my school so i have to see him everyday and his younger brother is really close with mine. Any advice is appreciated 🥰

Aurora2015 Poetry to deal with PTSD triggers
  • replies: 3

Hi, First time poster here. It's the eve of my birthday, I'm in lockdown, live alone and have had a week of being triggered for a multitude of reasons. Having been in therapy on and off for years, I am picking up more and more tools to help deal with... View more

Hi, First time poster here. It's the eve of my birthday, I'm in lockdown, live alone and have had a week of being triggered for a multitude of reasons. Having been in therapy on and off for years, I am picking up more and more tools to help deal with the dark moments and more often than not (these days) cope well and manage triggers as opposed to acting out on them. I don't consider my writing good, have no idea where the words came from, but it feels better verbally dribbling them on a page. Can anyone relate? HIDE The pain is there, beneath the surface; You blink and a crack shows; Quick! Hide it, make a joke, Don't falter! "You look sad" they'll say; Laugh it off, deflect, dismiss; Just don't let it show! You'll go home, alone. You'll cry, you'll break; The wound will bleed, the pain is there; You'll sob until you're numb; Then you'll sleep. Morning comes. You look in the mirror, the pain is there; It's in your eyes, on your face and in your general demeanor; Hide it! Make-up, humor, anything. Don't let them see! They won't understand. No-one does. They never have. They never will. You'll smile and crack a joke as you arrive at work; "You look happy" they'll say; You'll wink, crack another joke and get to work. You'll go home, alone. You'll cry, you'll break; The wound will bleed, the pain is there; You'll sob until you're numb; Then you'll sleep. Finite.

Sarah2021 PTSD where it started
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, So it all started on the 14th of May My neighbour tried calling me at 12.30am and 4.20am but my phone was on silent I woke at 7 and tried calling her back with no answer so I msged her daughter and said is your mum ok she tried to call m... View more

Hi Everyone, So it all started on the 14th of May My neighbour tried calling me at 12.30am and 4.20am but my phone was on silent I woke at 7 and tried calling her back with no answer so I msged her daughter and said is your mum ok she tried to call me she said really I haven't heard from her so she tried to call her with no answer so the daughter then called me and said I'm really worried about mum can you go and check on her. I went over let myself in with the spare key the kitchen light was on she was there I went into her bedroom she must have gotten out of bed and collapsed she landed on her chest of drawers I called 000 and I had to get her onto the floor to start cpr by the time I got her onto the floor the paramedics were there who started cpr but they couldn't save her I'm struggling with it all I keep thinking about this awful day with flashbacks and it gives me anxiety. I would like to hear from other people to get some support

FeelingWorthless-93 Trauma from an abusive relationship & I think I have PTSD?
  • replies: 4

Hi, 6 weeks ago, my ex walked out on me. We've been having some arguments and internal pressures in the lead up to it. The reason why I believe I have PTSD is from the way he left me, as he left me with a packed car and said to me "I don't want this ... View more

Hi, 6 weeks ago, my ex walked out on me. We've been having some arguments and internal pressures in the lead up to it. The reason why I believe I have PTSD is from the way he left me, as he left me with a packed car and said to me "I don't want this anymore, I want to go and find someone new and something new. Please let me go". I didn't see the way he was going to leave me coming, as I wanted us to sit down and talk about it. Come to the conclusion together it wasn't working out anymore. That night has reoccured in nightmares and flashbacks for me which has made me feel anxious even at work. Our relationship was abusive in a way where he: -Financialy Abused Me -Emotionally Abused Me -Domestic Violence - Manipulation - Gaslighting Since he left me, I keep asking if we can be friends but he has rejected this multiple times and even says he doesn't think we can be friends. I still care about him, even though he makes me feel unworthy, even as a friend. How do I stop all this, PTSD, anxiety and feeling of unworthiness?