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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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Sophie_M If you need to talk about Bondi Beach - Our community is here
  • replies: 6

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

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Bloom39 Physical Intimidation and Breaking Household Possessions: Struggling to recognise violence?
  • replies: 2

It's been a while since my last forum post about in the depression section but I can't seem to avoid drama in my life. I'm beginning to think it's a 'me' problem. I'm supposed to be cramming for my assignment but this topic weighs heavily on my mind.... View more

It's been a while since my last forum post about in the depression section but I can't seem to avoid drama in my life. I'm beginning to think it's a 'me' problem. I'm supposed to be cramming for my assignment but this topic weighs heavily on my mind. I have a sibling called S. I got into an argument over unintentionally provoking their dog in order to stop my dog from being chased and attacked. I know that S's dog is overly reactive to loud noises but adrenaline fully kicked in when I saw it mouth my dog on the neck and yelled because my dog has been attacked UNPROVOKED multiple times by this dog. Anyways, S yelled over me for shouting at the dog when I was trying to explain, then proceeded to walk towards me in an aggressive manner and shout pretty much in my face. I honestly thought that I would gonna get hit. After that I talked it out with S and apologised for my outburst; honestly told them what I thought about their dog not being muzzled trained even at home, being over-stimulated around guests and having a history of attacking my own dog and family members and they were calm at that point. Anyways, doesn't sound too violent right now so I'll mention what scares me. S has gotten mad in arguments before, to the point of breaking things. Things that don't belong to them. In fact, even my bedroom door is screwed - I'll leave that up to imagination. So, when S walked towards me, I honestly thought I was next to break. I know that I messed up massively with their dog, but at what point is walking up to someone to shout crossing the line when I can hear them perfectly from across the room? That being said, I am extremely tempted to call the police the next time they react like this over anything, even stress. I understand being crazy angry but I struggle to understand making someone feel unsafe even if they're reacting inappropriately towards your dog. Anyways, I know I'm a bum, but I feel like an unsafe bum? P.S. They also said that I was not acting my age after they slammed a chair down (the same type they broke previously) and walked into what I think is my personal space in retrospect . That seemed pretty hypocritical...unless I'm a real bumbum. Also I don't really think of them as a sibling after they called me retarded (I draw the line at that point) so I think there is some internal conflict about whether I care about getting authorities involved. Thanks for your time and please enlighten me with wisdom so I can act my age. Best wishes

Guest_10170 Abuse.
  • replies: 5

So, when I was 4 I was put into a foster home. And I was abused awfully every day until I was almost 15. I spent almost 11 years in that House, this year I turn 18 and I’m not exactly sure how to cope with the sudden change in my environment. I feel ... View more

So, when I was 4 I was put into a foster home. And I was abused awfully every day until I was almost 15. I spent almost 11 years in that House, this year I turn 18 and I’m not exactly sure how to cope with the sudden change in my environment. I feel like my trauma has made me more jumpy and less trusting. I have a new family now including an adorable younger brother and an amazing mother and father. but recently this abuse has come back to haunt me in ways I could never have imagined I’ve started acting out even to my parents and brother and I’m scared that I’m gonna do something to hurt them. I just wanna be a good daughter and sister but I feel like my trauma is corrupting me and making me a bad person. everyone I talk to about this doesn’t seem to understand that I do genuinely fear becoming like my abusers. I’ve gone to therapy and I’ve done the medication and the treatments. but I feel like at the end of the day it’s very much monkey See monkey do is there anything I can do to prevent myself from going down that path?

Corinaf Sexual assault, following & intimidation
  • replies: 2

This is a long story but I’ll try sum it up.So basically 2 of my friends were dating and they broke up because the guy (Baxter) sexually assaulted my friend (Rosa) - it was a very heavy topic and I was on the phone to Baxter and went off at him becau... View more

This is a long story but I’ll try sum it up.So basically 2 of my friends were dating and they broke up because the guy (Baxter) sexually assaulted my friend (Rosa) - it was a very heavy topic and I was on the phone to Baxter and went off at him because of doing such a terrible thing to my friend, and I didn’t release but he had people in his car listening in to everything I was saying. I then rang my friend Rosa back and told her I was going to go for a walk just to clear my head but stay on the phone to her in case anything bad happened as Baxter knew where I lived. I was scared but thought he most likely won’t come up here. I kept saying to Rosa on the phone “I feel like something bad is going to happen because he knows where I live, so I’m going to call my ex boyfriend (Jayden)” I then hung up and called Jayden and just said “hey can you meet me in the bottom of your street as Rosa and Baxter broke up and I feel something bad is going to happen but I’ll explain everything to you when we get there “ I hung up and called Rosa back, and by then I had noticed a red car following me around , it pulled up beside me and the back window rolled down and it was Baxter. I said “how did you know where I was as I don’t have my location on for anyone” and he just said oh don’t worry love we’re just going for a drive. Next minute him and two other boys jump out of the car and start circling in on me and backing me into a bush - they started throwing around all of these threats, luckily Jayden had showed up when he did because I don’t know what would’ve happened if he didn’t Is just it’s been so hard to navigate my feelings since it happened. Like it was really traumatic. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat and I can’t feel safe in my own house anymore because im scared their just going to show up at any point And I guess factoring my experience with men and abuse and sexual assault it just made it a lot worse

JayCee28 Teen child anxiety PTSD Trauma?
  • replies: 9

Teen child does not want contact with his father, teen has told father constantly via text,mother ( me) and child psychologist over and over he wants no contact at all with father.Issues from abusive/ grooming behaviour from father when we were a fam... View more

Teen child does not want contact with his father, teen has told father constantly via text,mother ( me) and child psychologist over and over he wants no contact at all with father.Issues from abusive/ grooming behaviour from father when we were a family unit. father has recently contacted child ,child’s reply to father was father should K himself. I sat down with teen and said that is not an appropriate thing to say to anyone, teen could have said he doesn’t want contact.teens reply was he has said it over and over 1000’s of times, his father doesn’t listen.I will let child psychologist know what has happened. what can I do in this situation??

Guest_86799466 Narcissistic abuse survivor
  • replies: 2

Abusive relationship survivor any support groups who understand narcissistic abuse please?

Abusive relationship survivor any support groups who understand narcissistic abuse please?

Bigdog72 Why are bad choices made when 11/12yo destroying me 40 years later
  • replies: 6

Hi im not sure wether this is in the right section or if there even is a right section. I find this hard to put out there for all to see but will try. Im 53yo male that has suffered seperation issues all my like due to being adopted. Dont get me wron... View more

Hi im not sure wether this is in the right section or if there even is a right section. I find this hard to put out there for all to see but will try. Im 53yo male that has suffered seperation issues all my like due to being adopted. Dont get me wrong i was very lucky to get exception adoptive parents. I was sent to boarding school before my 12th birthday. So seperated again. Would run away from school on weekend into the city. Where i met a friend a few years older than me. He introduced me to drugs n other people that i then allowed to abuse me to get the drugs i needed. Im sorry if this doesnt make sence but nothing in my head does.

JulieA Husband charged with sexually abusing my 7 year old Grandaughter
  • replies: 3

I separated from my husband the day he was charged - January 2025i am now living with my daughters.I miss my husband terribly and worry about how he is coping.i know contacting him is not the right thing to do but the pull is extremely strong.Has any... View more

I separated from my husband the day he was charged - January 2025i am now living with my daughters.I miss my husband terribly and worry about how he is coping.i know contacting him is not the right thing to do but the pull is extremely strong.Has anyone been through anything similar and has some advice for me.It would be greatly appreciated

Tearnie13 Car accident and domestic violence
  • replies: 2

I just wanted to get my story out there and see if could find someone to relate. I was t boned at an intersection by a road train at 75kms, that moment destroyed my entire life, left me with a brain injury and permanent disabilities. Along with that ... View more

I just wanted to get my story out there and see if could find someone to relate. I was t boned at an intersection by a road train at 75kms, that moment destroyed my entire life, left me with a brain injury and permanent disabilities. Along with that really bad ptsd and emotional regulation problems, since that moment I’ve felt alone, like no one fully understood me, I still feel that way now, I can’t work and I feel worthless. In the midst of my recovery I thought I had found a man who would help me through it, he seemed to understand and help me a lot. I trusted him to help me and I needed him to help me. Until he stopped, he started physically abusing me multiple times, on the last account he nearly killed me with a car when he was drunk. I have felt worthless, I have felt useless, unwanted and broken since all these things have happened to me. I can’t seem to stop feeling this way, like I should have died. I have people supporting me but it doesn’t help me, like I can’t seem to get what I need from them. I feel too broken to stop feeling this way and I don’t know if I’ll ever stop feeling like this. I just want to know if there is anyone out there who could relate, who knows how this all feels.

1234 PTSD shattered memory's and getting some of them back
  • replies: 1

Hi all I feel very alone as I haven't found anyone that has had a trauma where they have lost memories and had others shattered into pieces that could not be understood. I knew something was wrong 50 years ago when lots of people (counsellors) came i... View more

Hi all I feel very alone as I haven't found anyone that has had a trauma where they have lost memories and had others shattered into pieces that could not be understood. I knew something was wrong 50 years ago when lots of people (counsellors) came into the classroom and talked about a boy that had drowned, I didn't know who he was and thought I should have. Then the boy next to me leaned over and told me "he thought he was a pair of shorts hanging on the side of the pool " I immediately had a picture in my head of this, it has never left me I have shards of memories that I could never put together or understand these are sharp and vivid. Being asked to go to a friend's place Talking about a P76 Leland car with him while walking to his place One of churning water this made no sense to me until about 5 years ago And the one of walking home but not knowing where I had come from I have thought about these everyday of my life and I could not understanding them. About 6 to 7 years ago I decided I was going to work them out. It led me to have a really bad brake down I found help with a Psychologist and a stint in SPP I got more memories back and on the memories and family evidence I sort of believe I was there. My question is are there others like me And how do you cope with the thoughts around are the recent memories real, I'm at 98 to 99 percent real, but that 1 or 2 percent just f--ks with me