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

ILoveSharks28 I’m a bit confused about my feelings (TW: mentions of SA)
  • replies: 6

I didn’t know what topics to put this under due to being unsure about the entire thing myself. (Sorry if I get anything wrong or call it the wrong thing). As the title suggests I’m confused. When I was 9 I had this neighbour I was friends with her, I... View more

I didn’t know what topics to put this under due to being unsure about the entire thing myself. (Sorry if I get anything wrong or call it the wrong thing). As the title suggests I’m confused. When I was 9 I had this neighbour I was friends with her, I didn’t realise it at the time but during our whole friendship she would constantly body shame me. Then one day she came over and SA me (I think, idk if I can classify it as that she didn’t do much other then got me to take my shirt and pants of and then ground on me and I didn’t say no). That was 7 years ago to this day it still bothers me I am no longer friends with her but I feel really shitty because the few interactions I’ve had with her now she is extremely nice to me and now I feel guilty for still holding a grudge against her. Idk tbh I can’t do anything about it now anyway because I don’t have evidence and I don’t think people would believe me.

yeah i don't know if it counts
  • replies: 5

during my last relationship we moved so fast things were happening quicker than i thought. i thought i was ok doing them but now i feel so dirty and regret it deeply and wish i could go back and change what happened. halfway through doing stuff i reg... View more

during my last relationship we moved so fast things were happening quicker than i thought. i thought i was ok doing them but now i feel so dirty and regret it deeply and wish i could go back and change what happened. halfway through doing stuff i regretted it and just wanted to cry. why do i feel like this?

PinkDiamonds25 I’m a victim of image based abuse and I feel really upset and alone.
  • replies: 9

I’m a female in my mid 30s. I have children of my own. I was in an unhealthy relationship for many years. I had children with this person. During the relationship there were a lot of red flags that I should have payed more attention to but somehow ig... View more

I’m a female in my mid 30s. I have children of my own. I was in an unhealthy relationship for many years. I had children with this person. During the relationship there were a lot of red flags that I should have payed more attention to but somehow ignored. A year or two into the relationship he had sexual intercourse with me whilst I was asleep. He didn’t physically hurt me but there definitely wasn’t consent. a year or so later I woke up to him a similar incident involving my face. Near the end of the relationship I woke up to him taking photos of me and touching me whilst I was sleeping. I was upset after each of these situations, we broke up shortly after the last one. A few years after we broke up (so fairly recently) I was looking at some digital photos he had given me and found a folder full of photos and videos he had taken of me whilst sleeping without consent. In some of them he’s touching me intimately. min some of them he’s moved my clothing to get a better “shot”. He’s also recorded us having sex without my knowledge or consent. Even though these photos were taken a few years ago and we have since broken up, I still feel really upset about it and violated. Some of these photos were taken at the beginning of the relationship and others were taken at the end of it so this has happened on a lot of occasions and has occurred over a long time. Ive searched online to see if I could connect with someone else who has been through a similar experience but can’t seem to find anyone? surely I’m not the only person this has happened to? I know that it’s illegal to take photos like this without someone’s consent but most of the info I can find focuses on the nonconsensual “sharing” of intimate images and says nothing about nonconsensual “taking of photos”. The ex and I did sometimes send consensual nudes to each other throughout the relationship but this feels completely different due to the violation of trust and privacy surrounding these photos/videos. I feel really hurt. My self esteem is affected. I feel like this has affected my self value negatively. I don’t know what to do about it from here. I don’t know if I would be taken seriously if I reported it? I’m worried that my ex would just lie and say that they were consensual if I report it? I feel so betrayed and disgusting.

x__ isolation and gaslighting
  • replies: 10

I was recently investigated by police, I discovered it was illegal and I made a complaint. Since then I've been forced to isolate due to extreme bullying, harassment, and psychological abuse, and gaslighted that it's all in my head. The only reasonab... View more

I was recently investigated by police, I discovered it was illegal and I made a complaint. Since then I've been forced to isolate due to extreme bullying, harassment, and psychological abuse, and gaslighted that it's all in my head. The only reasonable inference is that this is how the police illegally target someone they deem to be a problem, and everyone seems to be ok with going along with it. This is causing me extreme anxiety.

21_23 Narcissistic Abuse recovery
  • replies: 24

Hi everyone, I am really needing help and support, or even advice. I have recently split from a 7 year relationship from what I now believe is a malignant narcissist. I am feeling damaged and empty, and also generally anxious and scared. I made the d... View more

Hi everyone, I am really needing help and support, or even advice. I have recently split from a 7 year relationship from what I now believe is a malignant narcissist. I am feeling damaged and empty, and also generally anxious and scared. I made the decision and it took 4 months to get him to actually leave the home. I have since been told many things he said and did that I was completely unaware of. It seems that he had a laid a very cunning long term plan which mostly centred on my trust and naivety. My whole sense of self has been rocked and my world turned upside down. I am now 52 and feel so stupid for trying so hard for so long with this person. I think a lot about laying down to sleep and not waking up and what a relief ir would be. I have 2 children who that would hurt greatly, so that is not an option. As a result of the type of person he is and the way the relationship was, I am highly anxious and fearful. There were violence and threats in the beginning of the relationship which eventually ground me down to a fawning and weak person. He has no empathy for anyone in general so he would actually laugh if he knew how bad I am feeling. I have gone completely no contact for months now, but he is now attacking me through the legal system. I suppose that I would just like any advice anyone may have. I have been having some counselling but it is expensive. I am so incredibly disappointed in myself.

Peggie Help! Psychosis, accusations and hurtful comments from my boyfriend.
  • replies: 1

I have been in a relationship of 9yrs with my boyfriend, we have 2 children. The last year has been a total mess, resorting to the destruction of our entire relationship. With accusations of infidelity, physical/emotional/psychological abuse, DVO, dr... View more

I have been in a relationship of 9yrs with my boyfriend, we have 2 children. The last year has been a total mess, resorting to the destruction of our entire relationship. With accusations of infidelity, physical/emotional/psychological abuse, DVO, drug use and complrte mental health break downs. When my partner uses, I can see within mins a change in him. Firstly he goes quiet, shy boyish like, unsure how to do every day things, totally confused by everyone and unable to comprehend the simplest of things spoken in general conversations. Hours after his first use, he becomes aggressive, agitated, frustrated and usually begins, the 2 day torment, that involves accusations of being a sex worker, cheating with his friends and/or people in the home. He constantly changes my words, names and says I talk backwards. In the last 6 months it has got worse, he is in psychosis, still showing signs of psychosis most days of the week, which has meant he cannot live at home, and be around the children. I am heart broken, I love this man, and completely believed we would be forever, but our relationship is torn to shreads. I don't know what to do, I'm exhausted, numb, sad, with little hope.

x__ can't talk about it
  • replies: 10

having a difficult time with isolation trying to get support but I'm not allowed to talk about what I've been going through how do you get support when you can't talk about the problem?

having a difficult time with isolation trying to get support but I'm not allowed to talk about what I've been going through how do you get support when you can't talk about the problem?

Federer How can I fight against corporate people?
  • replies: 21

How can I fight against the corporate environment and the previous who took me for a ride and abused me to the point of no return. Sadly, these people in power are much smarter than me because they eat meat and fish they are able to outthink my every... View more

How can I fight against the corporate environment and the previous who took me for a ride and abused me to the point of no return. Sadly, these people in power are much smarter than me because they eat meat and fish they are able to outthink my every move and they got away with sleeping with anyone they want. Emotionally abused me and brainwashed me without my consent sadly I have no say in the matter because it's a form of gaslighting where the parties got away with subtle abuse and I saw them play god with my life without my consent I think this should be posted as well for people to know how horrible working Centrelink /Medicare in the corporate environment out there is it's made me lose passion in my life where I go what's the point and my team leader got away with a lot of bad thing.

Guest_13849797 Trauma after cardiac arrest
  • replies: 1

I recently suffered a cardiac arrest and am struggling with the emotions surrounding this, as well as my kids also being very anxious about it. I constantly think about the what ifs and my daughter who is 16 is often breaking down into tears and cant... View more

I recently suffered a cardiac arrest and am struggling with the emotions surrounding this, as well as my kids also being very anxious about it. I constantly think about the what ifs and my daughter who is 16 is often breaking down into tears and cant really put into words why. Anyone have any advice?

21e Injury Trauma
  • replies: 1

Hi,im 16 and about 10 months ago i dislocated my shoulder playing netball and really struggle to put myself back out there, I still have not fully recovered due to the dislocation, it was out for 3 hours effecting my spine and the same of my neck whi... View more

Hi,im 16 and about 10 months ago i dislocated my shoulder playing netball and really struggle to put myself back out there, I still have not fully recovered due to the dislocation, it was out for 3 hours effecting my spine and the same of my neck which effects my hips bc of nerve damage, but thats not why i wanted to do this, I was wondering if theres anyone else out there who has had an injury and has like flashbacks or like gets into a state were they can't do anything but replay that moment over and over in there head.And uh, i was just wondering if theres anyone who has suffered this traumatic experience my physio and chiro keep telling me ive faced,a and managed to find a way to stop the so called "flashbacks" or "states" that im struggling to get out of.I really miss netball and i can't play yet but hopefully i can build up enough strength eventually to play again, so if anyone can also maybe tell a story or give some advice about how they managed to put themself back into doing sport even though they could injure themselves again that would be very helpful.sorry to bother anyone whos actually dealing with huge trauma rn i just thought someone might have some ideas or something... thanks,Ellie