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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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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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SarahP13 PTSD - strange aftermath/ effect on body - anyone relate?
  • replies: 3

I suffered a severe nervous breakdown last year that turned into a psychosis (brought on by stress not drugs)... I was going through something very intense & couldn’t sleep for weeks because psychosis made me feel like I was dying... since then there... View more

I suffered a severe nervous breakdown last year that turned into a psychosis (brought on by stress not drugs)... I was going through something very intense & couldn’t sleep for weeks because psychosis made me feel like I was dying... since then there have been strange & perplexing changes to my body that have not changed back.... one of them is that alcohol no longer affects me at all?? Previously I could have 2 drinks & feel tipsy - now it doesn’t affect me at all... have tried to drink and experiment with different quantities to no avail... it’s very perplexing... not to use as a crutch but to not be able to experience any effects at all is bizarre? Anyone had this happen to them?

Zoe-PTSD_OCD_MDD_GAD Uncontrollable anger and irritability
  • replies: 6

Hello, My name is Zoe and I am a long term survivor of cPTSD, anxiety, depression and OCD. Lately I have been struggling a great deal with my anger, particularly anger attacks and outbursts of rage. I have a couple of tools I have been given from the... View more

Hello, My name is Zoe and I am a long term survivor of cPTSD, anxiety, depression and OCD. Lately I have been struggling a great deal with my anger, particularly anger attacks and outbursts of rage. I have a couple of tools I have been given from therapy but I feel like I need more tools. I am especially raging out when my carer doesn't do what I nneed them to. He is around me almost 24/7 and I feel suffocated. any tips?

Lil_b PTSD - Domestic Violence - Triggered by the month
  • replies: 2

4 years ago I was physically assaulted by my boyfriend of the time in August. We were together for almost six years, I was 19. Now, at 23, living a wonderful life and for the most part happy (Although still navigating my anxiety) I find myself floode... View more

4 years ago I was physically assaulted by my boyfriend of the time in August. We were together for almost six years, I was 19. Now, at 23, living a wonderful life and for the most part happy (Although still navigating my anxiety) I find myself flooded with memories of him, of the night it happened and memories that never come to surface, until around this time of year, the second it hits the first of August. I am so confused how still four years on, the name of the month can be such a trigger for me, I feel ashamed I am feeling this way, it has been so long now, and yet there he is in my dreams again still haunting me, and unlike my general anxiety, I have no idea what to do with these emotions. Being this sad makes me feel as though he still has ownership of me. Does this happen to other people? A day? Place? Month? That is an instantaneous trigger, and what do people do? Thank you x

Catz12 Always Forgiving People Is A Positive Start To The Day
  • replies: 1

Hello, Apparently, it has been said that regular and vigorous exercise creates a 'high' feeling in the brain. So, if you ever experience bouts of depression, then go out for a walk or do some exercise. Sunlight also can help people feel better too. S... View more

Hello, Apparently, it has been said that regular and vigorous exercise creates a 'high' feeling in the brain. So, if you ever experience bouts of depression, then go out for a walk or do some exercise. Sunlight also can help people feel better too. So, get plenty of that. Apart from these things that alleviate depression, keeping life's stresses to a minimum can improve your lifestyle, and keep depression at bay. A further technique that keeps you in a positive mood state is hanging around people who smile and laugh more than negative people. In mindfulness, it is recommended that you keep away from negative people. Then, it will be easier to be happy.

Rhianna_n Scared, anxious and angry
  • replies: 1

Hi there, Two months ago my ex fiancé held me against my will in our bathroom and threatened to take his life. I’d never felt so scared and trapped in my whole life, and I feel like I’m only now starting to process it. I had no idea how to counteract... View more

Hi there, Two months ago my ex fiancé held me against my will in our bathroom and threatened to take his life. I’d never felt so scared and trapped in my whole life, and I feel like I’m only now starting to process it. I had no idea how to counteract the situation, so I stayed with him and tried calming him down for over an hour. I managed to escape with what he was threatening his life with and I was able to return him to the care of his parents. What kills me is that, without knowing this particular situation, his family and friends blamed me. All I did was help him, and it frustrates me to no end that I was blamed, and I still get frowned upon, for assisting him in a situation where we were both vulnerable. My ex has always been troubled and has a tendency to threaten suicide when he feels overwhelmed, which others are well aware of because they warned me about it. I care for him and I want him to get better, but I’m dealing with my own emotional fragility and I’m starting to spiral downwards again. Last year I was diagnosed with PTSD. I’d been feeling better up until that night and now I’m worried I’m slowly retreating back into that angry, scared and anxious person. I’m thinking about that night more often and I suffer from really bad panic attacks. I’d really like to connect with others who may understand this particular situation. I just really need to reach out as I can’t see a counsellor at the moment, but would like to as soon as I can.

Seeta No more hope
  • replies: 44

I feel disgusting talking about it but I’m really suffering at the moment. I have been through a lot in my life including the loss of my parents, the loss of a loved one, sexual abuse, family violence and right now an abusive relationship. Also, once... View more

I feel disgusting talking about it but I’m really suffering at the moment. I have been through a lot in my life including the loss of my parents, the loss of a loved one, sexual abuse, family violence and right now an abusive relationship. Also, once the pandemic started, I felt sick and had all the symptoms of the Covid but there was no place that would test me for it. After doing an X-ray, they found viral infection in my lung but I couldn’t get the thought of having the virus out of my mind. Ever since my mental health has been awful. At 24 I feel like this is the end of the world for me, I have a beautiful little daughter who is very cheerful and loving but being a mum with mental disorder makes me feel sick about myself. I can’t think, I can’t sleep, I can’t find anything that makes me happy and I can’t get out of the house or my anxiety will kill me. I am currently also doing a degree at uni which is another burden for now . I feel like I can’t recognise many people anymore and everything seems unfamiliar for me. The doctor has put me on antidepressants which hasn’t worked as of now but I’m hoping that it will. I’m also seeing a psychologist who is the sweetest person I have even known. I feel very hopeless and worthless at the moment. My partner is no help at all as he believes mental illness doesn’t exist and that we make our mind to always think negative. I’m constantly told many negative things including that I am worthless, lazy, mental and that I have grown in hell. The only reason I’m here today is because of my daughter.

Limpy Suffering so many problems...
  • replies: 8

Hi,I suffer from anxiety, stress,and depression, pstd,just to name a few. Most of these come from being in an physical and emotional abusive relationship.This I still carry with me even though I lefted this person who did horrible, horrible things,I ... View more

Hi,I suffer from anxiety, stress,and depression, pstd,just to name a few. Most of these come from being in an physical and emotional abusive relationship.This I still carry with me even though I lefted this person who did horrible, horrible things,I have tried to put all this behind me,him being a addict was the reason that I was subjected to a living night mare.I had got help from women's support and even had an avo done,just to feel safe,truly believe that there are people who care.But,growing up with an a abusive parent just made me feel like I didn't mean much,so having to try and cope with being abuse almost most of my life,has taking it toll on me, I have seeked both medical help and counselling to no avail.I feel so alone with this. I have family but not near to spend time.this is where I will leave my story for now.It has been hard for me to write as I have trust issues with people,however, I wish to say thank you for allowing me to express myself here.Limpy.

Guest_1211 Dealing with triggers at work etc... past abuse
  • replies: 4

I’m really struggling as a teacher who has to constantly (well periodically, but feels like all the time) update and complete compliance regarding child safety. I know how important it is. I know why we do it etc. I just find it so triggering and so ... View more

I’m really struggling as a teacher who has to constantly (well periodically, but feels like all the time) update and complete compliance regarding child safety. I know how important it is. I know why we do it etc. I just find it so triggering and so difficult to complete. I just don’t know how to deal with all the pain, feelings and flashbacks it brings. how do others here deal with this kind of thing?

NateMcNate No one is willing to help
  • replies: 16

Hi, I am posting here as I have no idea what to do. Heres a brief account of what happened to me. Late 2017 I was involved in an incident while at work where I mistakenly put myself in between a violent male and a woman and her child. In doing so I e... View more

Hi, I am posting here as I have no idea what to do. Heres a brief account of what happened to me. Late 2017 I was involved in an incident while at work where I mistakenly put myself in between a violent male and a woman and her child. In doing so I ended up being physically attacked. Everything seemed fine in the following weeks. Approximately 4 or 5 weeks after something switched in my head. Severe anxiety, depression, stress manifested out of nowhere. This affected me severely. I have approached GP's, attended psychologist and they all have diagnosed me with PTSD but have done nothing to help me address the problem. I feel that these people only prolong the agony to make as much profit from it. Since then everything has gone from bad to worse, I have gone from working where I did make quite a good living to being homeless, living out of a tent, constant anxiety, heart feels like its ready to jump out of my chest most of the time. I don't eat, I haven't had a full nights sleep in 2 years. This is not living, what is the point.

Alone1973 Lost
  • replies: 3

I lost my mother, father and brother all within the last 5 years and I just feel all alone and really lost as if I don’t fit in anywhere. I feel depressed and I just miss them all so much, I just want to be happy again and enjoy life the way I used t... View more

I lost my mother, father and brother all within the last 5 years and I just feel all alone and really lost as if I don’t fit in anywhere. I feel depressed and I just miss them all so much, I just want to be happy again and enjoy life the way I used to. I didn’t deal with it very well and I shut it all out and now I need to deal with it to move on. not sure what to do or where to go and I find it hard to talk about it, I can’t talk about it and I feel no one understands how I am feeling and what goes through my head every day.