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

Island11 Struggling with intimacy after leaving an unhealthy relationship
  • replies: 5

I left my partner in July last year, it’s painful to think about how bad things got but our settlement is finished and I have started to think about new relationships. I have started seeing someone but I can’t cope with the physical intimacy. When I ... View more

I left my partner in July last year, it’s painful to think about how bad things got but our settlement is finished and I have started to think about new relationships. I have started seeing someone but I can’t cope with the physical intimacy. When I go to his house and he opens the door for me, my entire body tenses up. I feel as though when I walk through that door, he is going to push me against the wall and be physical with me. I also can’t kiss this man because I am scared if i do things will progress further than I am ready and I won’t be able to stop it. He has initiated sexual contact a few times and I feel frozen in fear, unable to say no or stop the situation but he is able to read my body language and never pushes the issue. how do I move past this? I don’t want to be like this forever.

Chartres Newbie. Survivor of childhood sexual abuse
  • replies: 5

Hello people this is my 1st time doing this-online posts. I'm in my early 50s trying to survive trauma from child sexual abuse (CSA) by the father, which started pre-verbal years & continued till I left home abruptly at 16. There were also ocassions ... View more

Hello people this is my 1st time doing this-online posts. I'm in my early 50s trying to survive trauma from child sexual abuse (CSA) by the father, which started pre-verbal years & continued till I left home abruptly at 16. There were also ocassions where I was prostituted to other men (in the family home). The mother new about a few incidences, but did nothing. All my life she has been antagonistic & belittling toward me, has never been interested in wanting to understand me or how I'm coping. My early 30s was when the first wave of memories started surfacing. What an horrendous period. I won't go into it, needless to say ive been in & out of the Psych ward a few times. I thought I had recovered, then memories flared again in my 40s & again during the RC Inst.ChildAbuse & again when Grace Tame won Austr.of the year. A few days ago it all got overwhelming I didn't sleep, broke out in clammy sweat, stomach churning body constantly shaking all through the night. I called Lifeline (1st time ever) for advice/tips to cope & the lady said "you are the expert in your life" "I don't have the answers for you") and there were long uncomfortable pauses. I was shocked. I hung up. Now I'm too scared to call back in case I get her again. I decided to call Beyond Blue. The lady was kind & took the lead in the conversation which I needed. She gave me tips on how to distract whirling thoughts. On Friday I saw my GP & we started on a journey: get a Mental Health Plan; I've contacted the Sexual Assault Support Service (I'm on an 8 week waiting list for counsellor ). I've been there before in early 30s. But what I have decided people, is that this time I want to go all the way to where I can confront the perpetrator/s (& the mother but I doubt she'll be open to communication) & report to the police. CSA has really ruined my life, I've never been able to develop normal friendships or relationships with people, particularly men. I fear intimacy & as a result have been on my own. So I'm a loner. I'm over it, I'm sick & tired of being the one who has to pick up the broken pieces of my life & make something out of it, which is always deformed;sick that the perpetrators have normal healthy financially stable lives with their wives & families. I want to seek justice as far as I can (although I know the chances & the stats around that). It's going to be a long painful journey;no doubt costly in more ways than 1 but if I don't try then I haven't given myself the best chance!

Wildlings Am I going to be ok?
  • replies: 1

I have a life time of trauma and abuse.and at 52 yrs old only just now searching for help.raised I a radical Christian family I have a history of religious and spiritual abuse, a narcassist mother who seemed to dislike me and allowed my siblings to b... View more

I have a life time of trauma and abuse.and at 52 yrs old only just now searching for help.raised I a radical Christian family I have a history of religious and spiritual abuse, a narcassist mother who seemed to dislike me and allowed my siblings to beat me...sexually abuse on the church youth group and my sisters husband..who was also our cousin ..I had that wonderful gift a child has of simply forgetting..until.last year when a simple name triggered a wave of memories..I've struggled throughout my life with drug addiction ,crime,thr inability to find love and keep it..I sabotage everything good on my life.. I have a long line of abusive relationships..I have been alone now for 10 years..unfortunately my only attempt at lobe turned put the biggest mistake of my life.. he was an artist poet narcassist who tangled me up.so badly that he managed to have me charged becuse I'm human and I cracked...I've broken and repaired my life countless times I fought back and soon got cornered again and his actions are praised and mine get labelled as bad behaviour..I've been abit Manic,talking flat out because I keep getting shut down so i rush before anyone brushes me of as crazy...I have high pressure job which I will lose becUse of my charges..I live in a very small community and prove I have known all my life have turned away from me and support a convicted drug dealer and con man..he has love bombed the community and isolated me..I can't sleep I eat only when I'm hungry...I'm struggling with my work and maintaining friendships..I can't seem to get anyone to understand me or believe me...I've had an unbelievable life..I describe it as ,I've been around the world a 1000 and Ive never left my seat..but I have no will left to fight...and I've stopped talking about myself ou r a fear of no t being accepted or my story being too dark...I've had partners encourage me to open up only to be labelled emotionally weak...where do I start this healing..counselling is so expensive..5his is like a bad dream where running on air not getting anywhere ..

Toonice Advice on leaving emotionally/verbally abusive partner
  • replies: 3

Hi all I have been with my partner for nearly 10 years and we have a 7 year old daughter. I realised some time ago that he is verbally abusive. He does not respect me. We broke up a few years ago and then i stupidly took him back. He changed for a wh... View more

Hi all I have been with my partner for nearly 10 years and we have a 7 year old daughter. I realised some time ago that he is verbally abusive. He does not respect me. We broke up a few years ago and then i stupidly took him back. He changed for a while then things went downhill again. He lost work a year ago due to covid and I am now the only one working. I come home from work, cook dinner, clean and look after our daughter while he sits on his computer game. He will also often whinge about what i make for dinner. He gives me money for half the rent but i have to pay for everything else. He always puts me down and to him i can't do anything right. He is also teaching our daughter to disrespect me. He will call me a name and she will also say it to me. He told her to "give me hell." He has never hit me but has otherwise gotten physical with me. I feel like i cannot have my own opinions or stand up for myself. So I mostly stay silent and I feel like I am walking on eggshells. I tense up really bad when he comes near me or when I hear his car pull in. I do not love him anymore and I feel increasingly depressed in this relationship. We never do anything as a family anymore. I try not to be at home and my daughter and I will go out and do things on our own. I am repulsed by his touch and never want to be intimate with him. I feel like I emotionally checked out of this relationship a long time ago. I dont think he loves me anymore but he will not admit it. I always dream of a future without him where I can live in peace. I really want to break up with him but I feel so guilty. I am very worried about how my daughter will react. She really loves him and looks up to him (even though he barely pays her attention). I don't know what to do. I feel like I cannot stay living with him or I will get more depressed and I am worried about my daughters disrespect towards me getting worse. Last time we broke up he moved out to his parents house. He wouldnt be able to stay where we are on centrelink income. I just feel so much guilt and I am so scared. I dont know what to do. I am hoping people on here can give me advice or any stories of people in a similar situation. Thank you

romantic_thi3f Grounding technique: what are things that make you feel safe around your home?
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm reading a book about trauma, and it has a technique I wanted to share with you and hopefully see what we can brainstorm together. So hopefully most of you are familiar with the 54321 technique, which is a grounding exercise: 5 things you can ... View more

Hi, I'm reading a book about trauma, and it has a technique I wanted to share with you and hopefully see what we can brainstorm together. So hopefully most of you are familiar with the 54321 technique, which is a grounding exercise: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste. This is super handy for when you're out in public but this is an interesting one you can do from home. Find things you can see, hear, touch that connect you to the present. For example, look at a picture or poster on the wall, listen to music that you like, taste something pleasant from the kitchen, and so on. Consider making a list. The point is for you to concentrate on these objects that help you to realise that you are in the present and have available for when you need to ground and orient yourself to the present in your home. I decided to look around my house and some of the things I really like are my book collection, soft blankets, plants (fake and real) and hand cream. Is there anything you can think of that feels really grounding, calming or even just nice to look at around your house? rt

Bw93 Cptsd and marijuana withdrawls
  • replies: 1

Hi my name is B, i am 27 and ive suffered complex ptsd since i was a child. Stating from 4 years old i was constanly sexually assaulted, raped and abused by family members and friends of family, all while having to look after my dying grandmother and... View more

Hi my name is B, i am 27 and ive suffered complex ptsd since i was a child. Stating from 4 years old i was constanly sexually assaulted, raped and abused by family members and friends of family, all while having to look after my dying grandmother and great grandmother aswell. After they died i was taken to my auntys house in another state to which sexual assult happened again over and over. I was then placed into numerous foster homes until 16 then i fell pregnant with my daughter. This is just the short version and not everything that happened to me is written here but the amount of pain and confusion these events create for an person is massive. I dont know how to handle life to be honest and i have a huge problem with marijuana disorder due to trying to mask the pain. I have decided to go cold turkey with giving it up because its not healthy for me but giving it up also has alot of negative impacts on my mental health, i guess what im asking is how do people cope with everyday life with cptsd and also how do people handle withdrawl symptoms from giving up marijuana?

Imarni Angry with GP & Clinician
  • replies: 3

I recently FOI my psych records for various reasons. I’ve seen 3 Psychiatrists, all diagnoses CPTSD & Bipolar 2. Very clear Hypomania and depressive episodes and PTSD is childhood sexual abuse based and I’ve had eating disorders - fair to say most pe... View more

I recently FOI my psych records for various reasons. I’ve seen 3 Psychiatrists, all diagnoses CPTSD & Bipolar 2. Very clear Hypomania and depressive episodes and PTSD is childhood sexual abuse based and I’ve had eating disorders - fair to say most people are somewhat messed up from childhood sexual abuse? In the records my clinician contacted my GP about medication, fair enough I’ve had Suicide attempts. My GP went on about worried she was about my uni child - this was 2018, he’s left home now “he is too dependent on his mother and she him and each has no supports ” how I have “spoilt my youngest son” um would they prefer I abused them? How she believes in her opinion I have Borderline personality disorder as I change day to day. Yes that called TRAUMA. I am so dumbfounded and struck with anger that my clinician who’s always been a great advocate. My trust for both is gone and now I have no place to access a GP, I have complex physical health also as well as mental. I quit community psych care I trust few and that blown rapport.

Kate26 Trigger: Suicide/Manipulative Room mate has abused me emotionally and caused me significant trauma
  • replies: 2

Hi, This is my first time using a forum so.. feel like I'm in unfamiliar territory but i will do my best to explain. I met this person at my second job at the time.. we got along very well, all seemed hunky dory. I allowed this person to crash on my ... View more

Hi, This is my first time using a forum so.. feel like I'm in unfamiliar territory but i will do my best to explain. I met this person at my second job at the time.. we got along very well, all seemed hunky dory. I allowed this person to crash on my couch due to difficult home situation and i am very caring ( too caring ive been told) and like to help others in my professiaonl duties and personal life. I knew of some underlying anxiety and depression, however did not see the red flags initially. During this time, they attempted suicide in my prescence; and fortunately came out unscaved post ICU. I moved in with my roommate months ago despite this gut feeling telling me not to do it, i did it anyway, feeling obliged given everything that happened and they said id be doing them a huge favour by helping them out. Weeks go by, we have moved into the new place and a second suicide attempt occurs.. more brutal this time in nature.. again in my prescence and came out the other side unscaved. Multiple psychiatric admissions.. more suicide attempts.. and continually providing emotional support.. as the weeks go by. I found myself in a constant state of stress and anxiety.. avoiding her at all cost because she was constantly relying on me and everyone else around her to pick up the pieces for her, manipulating everyone to do whatever she ask because she has severe mental health. This person i found out does in fact have extremely severe mental health and manipulative behaviour is a huge trait of her disorder. I continued to allow her to manipulate me despite it affecting me deeply on a personal level. Feeling like im responsible for her problems. Ontop of everything going on with my living enviroment, i am a shift-worker, driving 40 mins each way to work everyday.. exhausted and unhappy. Despite trying to incorporate healthy boundaries and not be so involved; things have continued to escalate. The emotional abuse and manipulation has reached its peak, and i have had to remove myself entirely, and move out of the rental closer to place of employment for my own sanity and mental well-being. I now am faced with severe verbal abuse, and continued emotional abuse; telling me im delusional and everyone else knows it except you. im starting to feel like I'm well and truly losing the plot. I already have my own mental health problems and grief/loss that i have continued to work through over the years; however never experienced anything like this before.

G12345 Feeling worse due to trauma
  • replies: 20

After being sexually harassed it’s just as painful as being sexually assaulted and I’ve been through both my trauma won’t let me go it’s holding my mind and I’m fighting it I’m tired of fighting I need a community to help me feel less uncomfortable a... View more

After being sexually harassed it’s just as painful as being sexually assaulted and I’ve been through both my trauma won’t let me go it’s holding my mind and I’m fighting it I’m tired of fighting I need a community to help me feel less uncomfortable and less pain can some help me thank you

Broken79 The worst type of betrayal
  • replies: 3

My heart is in my throat. My partner of 5 years sexually assaulted my 14 year old while he was intoxicated. The mandatory processes are in place And he says he doesn't remember. I asked him to leave the house as soon as I found out and my daughter is... View more

My heart is in my throat. My partner of 5 years sexually assaulted my 14 year old while he was intoxicated. The mandatory processes are in place And he says he doesn't remember. I asked him to leave the house as soon as I found out and my daughter is safe. He knows he can't come back My heart aches for my little girl. And I feel so messed up because I am grieving our relationship and I feel so guilty. Please help me get through this