Support
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 conversation

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
Categories
Start a conversation

Pinned discussions

Sophie_M If you need to talk about Bondi Beach - Our community is here
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, After the heartbreaking events at Bondi Beach on Sunday night, we know many people in our community may be feeling shaken, distressed, or unsure how to make sense of what has happened. Religious and political violence has no place is Aus... View more

Hi everyone, After the heartbreaking events at Bondi Beach on Sunday night, we know many people in our community may be feeling shaken, distressed, or unsure how to make sense of what has happened. Religious and political violence has no place is Australia and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the individuals and families affected by this tragedy. We wanted to create a space where you can share whatever you’re feeling - whether that’s fear, shock, grief, or anything else that has come up for you. If you need support from others in the community, please feel welcome to post here. Violence and acts of terror can bring feelings of shock, grief, profound sadness, anger and fear. It’s normal to experience these emotions while trying to make sense of distressing events. It may take time for these feelings to ease, but it’s never too early to seek support if you are feeling distressed. Beyond Blue is here for you anytime, by phone on 1300 224 636 or via webchat: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor You can also support those around you by being available to them and listening. Thank you for being such an important part of this community, and for the kindness, honesty, and wisdom you continue to share with each other. We remind the community that Beyond Blue is here for all people in Australia, no matter what you believe, how you live or who you worship. Kind regards Sophie M

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 conversation

Bluebird76 Managing my own PTSD and being a manager
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I have a diagnosis of complex PTSD due to significant childhood and adolescent sexual, physical and emotional trauma. I’ve also had significant trauma through my adult years but am extremely successful in my career. Part of my trauma s includ... View more

Hi all, I have a diagnosis of complex PTSD due to significant childhood and adolescent sexual, physical and emotional trauma. I’ve also had significant trauma through my adult years but am extremely successful in my career. Part of my trauma s include a failed suicide attempt. I am exDefence and now whilst out of Defence manage a team with a significant amount of Defence members. Unfortunately the rate of suicide among Defence is significantly higher than the wider population and this week one of my team and a peer have experienced the loss of one of their colleagues. I’ve already been struggling lately but this event has hit me hard and I don’t even know the person. Just the need to support my staff has crushed the walls I had up and I have gone from being a competent manager to being useless. I am so scared of reverting to my old self and falling apart.

Ammee 20 Years of Emotional Abuse
  • replies: 3

My husband has been emotionally abusing me since three months into our relationship. He and I were both unaware of this for at least the first 7 years of our relationship. Since my second baby was born almost 13 years ago I have tried to leave many t... View more

My husband has been emotionally abusing me since three months into our relationship. He and I were both unaware of this for at least the first 7 years of our relationship. Since my second baby was born almost 13 years ago I have tried to leave many times but have never had the strength. Each time I told him I need to leave he would be able to convince me that he has done nothing wrong, that it is all my fault, that I was imagining things, and that all was ok. Each time he found new ways of doing this, including blaming my kids - saying that it is them making me feel mentally unwell. I had post natal depression with my second baby. He never consoled me or understood how hard it was for me! Late 2020 I considered taking my life for the first time and started self-harming. I have had anxiety all my life but this was the first time that I felt so unstable and confused. My psychologist wanted me in hospital but hubby wouldn't let me go. He would do everything he could to convince me that hospital would be bad for me. It was close to Christmas and I had to cook the family meal for his family. Come Dec 27 I wanted to go to hospital, told him that now Christmas is over I can go. He again convinced me not to. I don't know how, but he was so convincing. That afternoon I knew that if I tell him this again he would try to talk me out of it, so I lied. I told him with every ounce of strength in me I was just going for a walk. I then took myself to hospital. Through text I told him I was there. He sent me a stream of angry texts, and I felt bad, but I was in the hospital, and I couldn't leave, and I was safe. Each time he has patronised me, beriddled, controlled me and shot me down in conversation he has always managed to find a way to convince me that I am not good enough, that it is my fault, that he did nothing wrong. Now - 1.25 years after my first stay in hospital I am in hospital again, under the guidance of my psychiatrist after yet another attempt last week. After almost two years of trying, my professionals have finally convinced me to leave, this time I cannot back down, I need to leave this toxic relationship AND I need to protect my children who are also mentally and emotionally damaged by him. I am afraid he will manage to convince me again. I am afraid for the welfare of my children who live with him. I am afraid of what he might do. This is going to make him pretty angry. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Apricit123 Flashbacks and dissociation
  • replies: 3

Hi I been getting flashbacks for about a month now and they seem to be getting worse, and on top off that they changed the brand of my medication so it's an added stressor I keep thinking the medication is making me worse my brain feels like it is in... View more

Hi I been getting flashbacks for about a month now and they seem to be getting worse, and on top off that they changed the brand of my medication so it's an added stressor I keep thinking the medication is making me worse my brain feels like it is in overload and i cant relax. In the Last month it feels like a nightmare and nothing feels real how do you usally cope with flashbacks???

Sharda Marriage
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone. My name is Sharda, my hometown is Fiji Island. I've been living in Australia for last 12years. I met my husband at a friend's wedding. Hez from India. We started chatting since the. He some how convinced me that hez a very nice honest... View more

Hello everyone. My name is Sharda, my hometown is Fiji Island. I've been living in Australia for last 12years. I met my husband at a friend's wedding. Hez from India. We started chatting since the. He some how convinced me that hez a very nice honest guy. Only because hez visa was about to expire and he didn't wanted to back India. So he made fall in love with him and we got married. Now after 5years he got hez residency, he wants to go india and marry hez girlfriend. He always fights with me, im a epileptic also got migraine. He just wants divorce from me. We have no kids. I'm so helpless. My family is back home. My husband say dirty things to me and that girl calls and they both torture me. I don't know what to do, I'm so depressed and stressed out.

Mum Chris I am back
  • replies: 250

Hi, I am starting back on treatment for ComlexPTSD. I thought last year was bad but this year just got worse. I was dealing with a child that was agressive and intimidated and scared me so much. My husband wanted him out of the house but I refused to... View more

Hi, I am starting back on treatment for ComlexPTSD. I thought last year was bad but this year just got worse. I was dealing with a child that was agressive and intimidated and scared me so much. My husband wanted him out of the house but I refused to do it. A mum doesn't turn her back on her children. Well I couldn't fix it and the Police got involved and it was so bad so so bad. I feel like I failed everyone and now i am dealing with the loss and grief involved with untreated mental illness and my child refused to go to a facility so was locked up in jail and may go to prison for a long time.The sadness got so bad I ended up in hospital and I speak to a counsellor and will see a trauma specialist soon. I wanted to go to emergnecy and just get into hospital for mental health treatment but I work and my husband doesn't want to be left alone. I still might but i am trying to get outpatient care set up so I can get free from this sadness. I have all the classic PTSD triggers, loud noises, intrusive thoughts bad sleep nightmares and physically i am not doing great. I am down a dark invisible hole and people around me can't see it and when i try to explain it i cry and can't talk. That's one of the things that happened to me when the initmidation got very scary i lost my voice i would lan to spewak up and say NO but I just stuttered and fumbled and froze. I can't believe i was ready to leave my husband so I didn't have to face standing up to my son. This is how I feel - I had 1 job and that was to raise a healthy happy child and I failed. I have enrolled in a physical rehab to get some fitness back and I watch funny shows to get my laughter back. My counsellor said yesterday to pick my grief up off my pillow and stick it in a cupboard and shut the door and say not today Grief you can just stay there today I am going to be free of you. She also says he had choices to make and he chose to act that way and to do those things I am really not that great and I am pretending to be OK. I smile at people and sort am able to work but i can't wash a dish or cook a meal its a huge task now. Anyone sorry for the downer I am just trying to be honest.

Mel_72 Home invasion
  • replies: 12

At 2am sunday morning, someone broke into my home. I panicked and started screaming. They ran and i called the police. Police attended. They have 1 person in custody, pending court, and i dont think they are even looking for the 2nd... Anyway, here w... View more

At 2am sunday morning, someone broke into my home. I panicked and started screaming. They ran and i called the police. Police attended. They have 1 person in custody, pending court, and i dont think they are even looking for the 2nd... Anyway, here we are a few days after the event, not sleeping properly, jumping at every sound, hypervigilant, unable to face going to work as MH nurse, struggling to get started with any of the jobs around the house. I feel like i cant even get enough air into my lungs. Im exhausted. I cry at nothing. Have spent a small fortune on cameras and extra locks and chains for around the house. I know all the the things to do- eat well, sleep, exercise, talk to people, but it doesnt seem to help yet. I hate that this person has made me feel like this. Im usually strong and independent and can manage most things. I know this person is a career criminal, and magistrates keep granting bail. I have no idea if him or his mates will come back and try again. I keep thinking, what if they were already inside when i woke up. (I know i should flip this thought to im glad i woke up when i did and scared them off.. easier said than done. Not sure if i want advice or what from here, hopefully just writing it out will help me move on

laureah21 Hyper awareness
  • replies: 4

Recently I lost my dog suddenly to cancer and two weeks later my second dog has been diagnosed and undergoing chemo. My husband is not coping as has no work either at the moment. He has a little bit of ocd and depression normally so these have flared... View more

Recently I lost my dog suddenly to cancer and two weeks later my second dog has been diagnosed and undergoing chemo. My husband is not coping as has no work either at the moment. He has a little bit of ocd and depression normally so these have flared up and im trying to help him and make decisions and grieve all at once. I’ve gone into a weird numb action mode and today something really strange happened. That was the opposite of numb. Id like to know if anyone has had this after trauma. I know my trauma is nothing compared to many people but I feel the symptoms are linked to everything happening. i was in the supermarket and it was as if everything was turned up to maximum. Maximum detail, sound and colour. I could see every single piece of wording on the food packaging all the pictures in the labels, all coming in at once all the colours rushing in. I felt like I was going to pass out, so had to cover my eyes by looking down at the white floor and walk this way to the till and get out quick. such a strange sensation. Bit scared of it happening again in busy places

I_want_my_life_back A decade long trauma
  • replies: 3

Hi all. Firstly, I don't know if I have PTSD or something else going on, but for the past decade we have been involved in a traumatic and ongoing family court battle that just never seems to end despite it going in our favour. I won't list everything... View more

Hi all. Firstly, I don't know if I have PTSD or something else going on, but for the past decade we have been involved in a traumatic and ongoing family court battle that just never seems to end despite it going in our favour. I won't list everything here, but it has taken a massive toll on me personally, so much so that I can physically feel the stress, if that makes sense. I am constantly waiting for the next nightmare to start - and it usually isn't very long between each nightmare. In other words, I feel like I am on high alert all of the time. It has taken a toll on my relationship, my life and my well-being. Anyway, today I decided enough was enough. I want my life back. I am not sure where to start but it is a big deal for me to even admit that all is not right with me. I am told (alot) that I am strong, and people literally say "I don't know how you keep going". Honestly, I can't keep going anymore, at least not feeling like this. I need some coping mechanisms as this nightmare, in all reality, will probably keep going for years. And that is the hardest part - I can't just run away.

Kayak Nursing and PTSD
  • replies: 3

Im now 60 and I loved my career as a RN and Midwife through all the hard times and good times but it all came to a screaming end the evening I got stood down as of immediately and told to leave the hospital and I would be told the reason why the next... View more

Im now 60 and I loved my career as a RN and Midwife through all the hard times and good times but it all came to a screaming end the evening I got stood down as of immediately and told to leave the hospital and I would be told the reason why the next day. I wasn't told and a week later I was told (that it had been assumed by heresy and conjection )that I had offered euthanasia to a terminally ill patient .I was totally overwhelmed and shocked by this accustion and in hindsight had a cardiac event . Over 6 months of investigation this was found unsubstantiated and I was told I could now go back to work as before. I did return to work with high anxiety but rumours and gossip ran high and I was told I could not say anything ,even that my name had been cleared as I would breach confidentiality regulations set by NSW health. Finally after being victimising and stigmatised by management I went down the workers compensation pathway and to make a long story short after another 2 years and involving Barristers and lawyers I won my case and received a WID payout. I was experiencing PTSD ,anxiety and depression. It was a long haul climbing out of that hole and I was grieving at the same time for the loss of my life as a nurse ,financial insecurity ,isolation from colleagues,feelings of judgement and helplessness and having no control over my life . During this time my pyschologist introduced my to "tapping" or EFT( emotional freedom technique )and it has been one of the most useful tools during this time frame .Just google it .Brad Yates utube clips are a good place to start .We can process what happens as much as we like with our frontal lobes but this" tapping " works on the amygala and hipocampus the areas in our brain that control fight or fright ..fear . My post today is to say along with mindfulness,staying grounded,journal work and a trauma course (TRTP )tapping has given me huge relief and has helped with improving sleep and decreasing nightmares,inactivating fear responses and increasing self esteem . Other things that have helped are my wonderful husband ,long term loyal friends ,my gorgeous daughter and not giving into the abyss of depression .I have slowly re-engaged with society and am content with gardening ,swimming and seeing beautiful parts of our world .A simple life where I can rest and focus on the journey of recovery is my day to day goal now .

DaffyDuck_ Idk if this is SA.
  • replies: 4

When I was 5, I started going to school and there was this boy in my class who always tried to hug, kiss me, and also grab me, mostly my arse. Once he tried to grab and kiss me again but I ran away from him so he ran after me and followed me but I hi... View more

When I was 5, I started going to school and there was this boy in my class who always tried to hug, kiss me, and also grab me, mostly my arse. Once he tried to grab and kiss me again but I ran away from him so he ran after me and followed me but I hid until the bell rang. I always told him to go away and to stop but he never did. Another time was when I was against a pole sitting down with my friends and he came up to me and put his legs either side of me and started thrusting in my face while he was standing, I pushed him away and told the teacher but he only rlly got a slap on the wrist. He did this I think from when I was like 5/6 - 9, but I don't know if this counts as sexual assault since he didn't really do anything extreme like rape and never actually kissed me (BC I shoved him off me before he ever could). And we were both so young and maybe he didn't know any better. Plus if it was sexual assault then I probably should've hated him but I didn't. I don't know the difference between sexual assault and sexual harrassment so I just like think that what he did wasn't that bad.

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright © 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map