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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: 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

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Your_friend Some help/suggestions would be nice.
  • replies: 1

Dear all, I have PTSD and resultant nightmares. Over the past few weeks, the frequency and intensity of these nightmares has increased dramatically. I am at the point where I am waking up numerous times every night. Does anyone have a strategy to hel... View more

Dear all, I have PTSD and resultant nightmares. Over the past few weeks, the frequency and intensity of these nightmares has increased dramatically. I am at the point where I am waking up numerous times every night. Does anyone have a strategy to help reduce them? Best wishes, Your friend

squishy_mochi My story
  • replies: 1

I’ve been feeling so depressed, stressed and so done with everything in school, life and everything seems to make me irritated so easily. This is my story; I have got kicked out of my mums home and right after I left, her friends came and assaulted m... View more

I’ve been feeling so depressed, stressed and so done with everything in school, life and everything seems to make me irritated so easily. This is my story; I have got kicked out of my mums home and right after I left, her friends came and assaulted my boyfriend. He was picking me up to go home. It was so traumatic. It was also at night time so we couldn’t see clearly who it was. I felt like I was going to die that night. Luckily a car came and they ran off. The person stopped and just asked if we were okay then drove off. Me and my boyfriend were trying to find a place to hide to give time for the police or ambulance to come but they took so long. We had to Uber to the police and ambulance. I have moved 4 times ever since I left my mums house. She was verbally abusive to me. Saying things like “I wished I didn’t give birth to you” “you’re the worst daughter I’ve ever had”. She was also physically abusive. My mums boyfriends friend tried to kiss me and my mum found out but I got in trouble for it. She was violent and yelled at me. Then she let him come over again after a month only. her boyfriend used to call me abusive names all the time and she wouldn’t say anything to help me. my mum tried to force me to quit my own job and would often threaten me if I don’t “behave” she would stop letting me go to school and work completely. I’m in year 11 doing VCE. My grandparents, uncles or aunties wouldn’t help me stay with them. I ended up staying with my boyfriend’s family friend. my uncle recently called me a brat and said “what is wrong with you?” When all I did was send food as a gift to my mums house. I hate feeling that I was the cause of everything and that I still miss home. I want it to stop. I feel so unheard. I told a friend about my life story and she kept on saying “don’t be like that” “don’t be sad” “I want the happy (name) back” “tbh I think you need to suck it up” “you don’t need a psychologist, you have your friends. They’re a waste of money” “stop being like that”. She said that to me when I had the courage to speak with my voice through a call without crying for the first time. Eventually I did cry afterwards. Everytime I think about my mum or talk about her I would shake. I try explaining and talk to my boyfriend but when I do, he oversees it and just says “what do you mean” or “tell me what’s wrong”. I did tell him but he asks

24yearoldgirl Is my mum a narcissist?
  • replies: 21

I have been caring for my mum since 2010, when she had a head injury.. the past few years we have been living in a tent.. she drove up and down and all around the country like a physcopath. It damaged me big time. But I never left. It was the night b... View more

I have been caring for my mum since 2010, when she had a head injury.. the past few years we have been living in a tent.. she drove up and down and all around the country like a physcopath. It damaged me big time. But I never left. It was the night before my birthday, and she grabbed my wrist and said she felt like hitting me because I wouldn’t shut up. She thinks it’s not abusive. I am now going to court to defend her from her dvo. she complains that her life is ruined, but I’m 24 and have not had a single friend or dad or any family at all apart from her.. I’ve been completely isolated.. she grew up in a Dysfunctional family and has no social life.

Joeii2020 Anxiety/ptsd like symptoms with dissociation after trauma
  • replies: 2

Hi all new here unsure if im supposed to be writing here although ill give it a shot. Recently involved in a car accident and have been dissociating since . I have had plenty of years with anxiety dissorder and been diagnosed with anxiety somatic sym... View more

Hi all new here unsure if im supposed to be writing here although ill give it a shot. Recently involved in a car accident and have been dissociating since . I have had plenty of years with anxiety dissorder and been diagnosed with anxiety somatic symptoms ptsd like symptoms and drdp disorder . I have not yet found my triggers nor found this is the correct diagnosis. I am currently seeing numerous phycoligists and now started seeing a truma phycoligist . The symptoms im facing makes me worried , as I have never came across anyone that has had such symptoms and I feel alone . And feel as if it'll never go away and be in the present . Im constantly dissociating. Have somtic symptoms aswell. Heavy breathing, palpitations, headaches fatigue tunnel vision muffled ears feeling thrte blocked as such . Don't like being in different areas . Please tell me if anyone else has experienced this or knows someone that has . And help me get through this hard time . My mind tells me that I'm stuck in this visious cycle and that it's something medically wrong . That hasn't been found yet and doctors cannot detect . As this no matter what I do is always with me side by side . Thanks for reading and if u can gove me inaote would be great .

Themolequeen Recent unresolved trauma from childhood content warning - servere bullying in primary school
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm new to this so I'm not sure how much to say I have dealt with more life than I can begin to process in 28 years, ranging from childhood trauma, medical trauma, and just life trauma in general. I have dealt with some of these traumas depending... View more

Hi, I'm new to this so I'm not sure how much to say I have dealt with more life than I can begin to process in 28 years, ranging from childhood trauma, medical trauma, and just life trauma in general. I have dealt with some of these traumas depending on my current situation and what I have needed to get through life. Lately, I've been going down a path of self-development and feeling like I am ready to embrace this journey and feeling like it's the right time. I had forgotten about the trauma for quite a long time (many years) until only recently. I can remember transferring to a new school at the end-of-year one, and in year 2 I was friends with everyone. I can remember a McDonald's birthday party and even the popular girls were there, but in year 3 I developed bites or something on my body all up my legs and arms. I don't know how they happened, I just remember hearing in the background that I would get them at my Father's place on visits because the house wasn't very clean, maybe bed bug bites or something? I can remember they use to be so itchy and as a child, I didn't have the self-control to not scratch. I would have calamine lotion on them and I guess this was not a good look with orange blotchy dots, and it made me a target. I went from being popular and well like to the 'queen of germs'. I didn't have a single friend until high school. I would avoid all the kids to avoid being bullied. I used to sit by myself every recess and lunchtime, and because of this, I don't think I actually know how to have proper conversations. I think it's a combination of not knowing what to say and the fear of being rejected. I'm seeing the uni counsellor on Tues (we have had a few sessions previously but nothing this full-on) and I want to work through this but I'm not sure how to bring it up thanks so much for your help

Clackers when kindhearted people cant help and professional people go out of their way not to help...
  • replies: 6

Hi, new here. and here is my first two cents worth. have suffered mild to servere depression all my life. Almost always forced upon me by others. I have come the the personal epifinay that it is often more a waste of time seeking help or getting it, ... View more

Hi, new here. and here is my first two cents worth. have suffered mild to servere depression all my life. Almost always forced upon me by others. I have come the the personal epifinay that it is often more a waste of time seeking help or getting it, than it is worth, and my owns self realisation of my situation to get myself out of my ruts, is to use my other traits/flaws/obsessions, to re focus my depression into the only thing I am half good at. and for the lovely kind hearted peopl that try to help on this forum, I will give just a fractional insight. e.g. 1. when the ambulance take you to hospital with a knee puffed up like a balloon and the doctor tells you that I am "waisting he bloody Time" (and I watched they playing solitare onthe computer)... that is such a dissinsentice to complain. (grade4 arthritis both knees) I have to stop half way up a flight of stairs to let the pain go down. (the number of times I have been told of by Doctors could fill pages, and the unbelieveable treatmenst I have been given. (taken by ambualce when my pulse was 39, went down to 38, but shown the door when they got me up to 45.. 28 times in emergency ward, so far. 2. professionals like Psychatrists (ordered to attend by centrelink) talking down to you like i am the village idiot. That I may be, but I have changed federal legisation. Doctors in Hospital giving medicines you are allergic to, despit being given red armbands on admission. Doctors saying I am faking thins, despit failing to read earlied doctors notes in my medical history. (one doctor, said I had the worst hearing he had come across in his career. but I can still hear somepeople above the steam whistles & Cicadas (Tinnitus). and constanly being made fun of for it. cant watch TV with out subtitles. (Have woken up Stone deaf on 3 occasions) 3. being made fun of for my poor spelling and typing (despite fighting Dyslexia all my life, and having my right hand sewn back together after a powersaw accident. 6 hours of surgery) I have had 'officials' send back my letters annoted with corrections, and friend even pubished a 'chid' in national magazine about this.. ( how to make a person feel great, not) 4.5.6. etc. I could go on an on.. but will stop there.. S.

heids02 My ongoing battle with PTSD - some content that may disturb some people
  • replies: 1

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD and its been something that I've been struggling with for a while. Back in November 2019, i was sexually assaulted which really rocked me. I was 17 at a party with my friends, i had a few drinks and got is... View more

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD and its been something that I've been struggling with for a while. Back in November 2019, i was sexually assaulted which really rocked me. I was 17 at a party with my friends, i had a few drinks and got isolated with a guy who would't stop. This has left me questioning myself as a person, and to be honest, hate myself. I blame myself for what happened even though i know i shouldn't. Currently, i'm struggling with dealing mechanisms. Self harm is something that i struggle with and I am now 18, and with that comes many responsibilities. I now have easy access to drugs and alcohol. A privilege which i am abusing and i'm struggling to stop. Not only have i been using that as a coping mechanism, i feel the need to validate myself, and i suppose i feel that I'm not worth anything much apart from a piece of meat for boys. This has lead to me doing things i wish i didnt which has further made me hate myself. If im honest its getting to the stage where i dont know what to do anymore. I've tried so many things to stop. Please if you're reading this, dont ever do what i have done. It turns into a painful cycle. You're worth so much more. I thought that possibly telling my story and opening up about where i am, someone else could feel less alone. Please just know that even though i cant see it right now, i know it has to get better. It has to. Please reach out for help because you're never alone, and if you're reading this i suppose that you're on the right track. You're worth it so keep fighting.

Dont_Mind_Me I've never told anyone my trauma *Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault*
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone, I'm Don't_Mind_me Wow, i really don't know how to start this post. I've never talked to anyone about my trauma, but if anyone here is willing to listen, i would really appreciate some support Let me know if you're willing to listen. -Don... View more

Hi everyone, I'm Don't_Mind_me Wow, i really don't know how to start this post. I've never talked to anyone about my trauma, but if anyone here is willing to listen, i would really appreciate some support Let me know if you're willing to listen. -Don't_Mind_Me

Mandy29 Newly diagnosed PTSD
  • replies: 2

Hi this is my first post and hoping some support may help. I'll first point out my PTSD is no where near as bad as others so I want to make sure people know I don't think mine is super extreme. I had a major surgery at the start of the year that was ... View more

Hi this is my first post and hoping some support may help. I'll first point out my PTSD is no where near as bad as others so I want to make sure people know I don't think mine is super extreme. I had a major surgery at the start of the year that was extremely risky, The biggest risk being paraplegia. I was obviously petrified and did not cope well with the anticipation. Fast forward to post surgery - hospital healing was fine because I had support. However, time spent at home was frightening and downright petrifying. I never sought help for the slow increase in anxiety. I started to feel uncomfortable at home and this fear got completely triggered by being isolated at home whilst waiting for covid results. Fast forward 2 weeks and I've been completely incapacitated Major panic attacks and constant anxiety. Turning into very dark thoughts. Complete inability to live and cope. Medication has been started and trying so hard to overcome little hurdles. I would love to hear some suggestions long term and whether or not this is truly something I will get over (Unfortunately this medical condition is ongoing and will require further treatment)

Ambo PTSD
  • replies: 1

Just sitting around, then all of a sudden I've burst into tears can't stop crying.

Just sitting around, then all of a sudden I've burst into tears can't stop crying.