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: 273

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

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.

Anzee Healing from childhood trauma
  • replies: 3

Has anyone started or overcome the journey of facing and healing the effects of childhood trauma. I’ve only just brought my trauma back to light but have not been able to escape my thoughts about it and it became so overwhelming yesterday I had to ca... View more

Has anyone started or overcome the journey of facing and healing the effects of childhood trauma. I’ve only just brought my trauma back to light but have not been able to escape my thoughts about it and it became so overwhelming yesterday I had to call a few hotlines and they still couldn’t put me through to the specialist councillor they wanted to but I still had a chat to one of the everyday councillors and she made me realise that as scared as I am to face my trauma and as much as I feel like I’m not prepared emotionally at the moment, my mind has been made up in some part of my brain and so I’ve decided to face it. I told my psychologist last week I’d been through the trauma and she said she’d refer me to casa (centre against sexual assault) so since my thoughts won’t leave me alone I’ve decided I will tell her at this weeks apt that I’m ready and get the referral started. I feel so bad for my partner and our two kids having to see me in this state. I barely stopped crying yesterday and was just a mess but I also know that I will be so much better to them all if I follow through with it. If anyone has made the healing journey do you have any advice or necessities? I’ve told one of my good friends what I’m about to embark on and she is a teacher at my eldest daughters school so she has messaged the principal and my daughters teacher to say I am going through some stuff at the moment and that I need some space so I won’t have to worry about one of them calling every day to make sure we’re doing school work, understanding everything etc. I had to take the day off yesterday because I’d also had about 3 hours sleep Friday night but I’m going to TRY and go to work tomorrow. I work for my mum so I’ve messaged her and said I’m going through some stuff but I’d try to come to work tomorrow. I just for some reason don’t feel comfortable talking to my family about it and bringing it all back to the surface. anyways I would live to hear anyone’s stories

Anzee Struggling with triggers during Victoria’s lockdown.. *trigger warning, childhood sexual abuse*
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I’m new here and anxious to write this post but I had a medical scare in April and ended up in icu and then transferred from my country town to a hospital in Melbourne 2 hours away from home to have a procedure done on my heart. I wasn’t allo... View more

Hi all, I’m new here and anxious to write this post but I had a medical scare in April and ended up in icu and then transferred from my country town to a hospital in Melbourne 2 hours away from home to have a procedure done on my heart. I wasn’t allowed to see my two young kids and their dad was only allowed to visit me twice once I got to Melbourne, thankfully it ended up being a straight forward procedure and my condition was fixed but when I got home I was a mess and had severe health anxiety for a couple of months, quit smoking, drinking and coffee and started a new medication for my anxiety and depression. I had terrible side effects coming onto it and have had to change the dose a couple of times the latest being last week, so I know I’ve been through a lot and have reasons for my anxiety (I’ve been having weekly phone apts with a psychologist since May) but last week something unexpectedly triggered me about years of sexual abuse I went through as a child, I’ve always known it affected me but just left it at that, after going to court etc at 12 years old I did the opposite to what I should have! I shut everyone out, started drinking a lot at about 14 and started smoking cigarettes and going to parties or anywhere I could drink and smoke as I wasn’t allowed to at home anyways that was my way of dealing with it and I thought that was it, it was gone but since this trigger I cannot get the thoughts of trying to overcome it out of my head and I keep telling myself I can’t get past it unless I address it and work through my trauma but right now I am not in the mental state to address that on top of everything else covid has hit my mental health hard and I am struggling with the isolation. The kids dad works away a lot and is away at the moment and we’re in the middle of moving house, I’m working 4short days a week and doing remote learning for my eldest so I am keeping myself busy but as soon as I have a moment to think all I can think about is the trauma I’ve experienced and that I’m never going to get over it so then my anxiety kicks into overdrive and it’s a vicious circle. Sorry this is such a long post I wasn’t expecting it to be haha and I don’t know why I’m posting it here I just think I need to get it off my chest and deep down I think I’m hoping someone will be able to relate and I’ll realise I’m not alonein these feelings. Thanks for reading if you actually managed to get through the whole thing haha.

MHead Manipulating your memory to forget a traumatic event
  • replies: 2

I have a friend that went through some traumatic events recently. They have tried counseling but have not had much success with it. I am just curious if there is anyway a person can get rid of their memory? My friend says that if they couldn’t rememb... View more

I have a friend that went through some traumatic events recently. They have tried counseling but have not had much success with it. I am just curious if there is anyway a person can get rid of their memory? My friend says that if they couldn’t remember the event they would feel better. I did some research and read that they are trialling something like this overseas by giving people large amounts of a certain drug to erase their memory, and they’ve had a bit of success although it’s very dangerous. I just wanted to check and see if someone out there could give me some help with this, or if someone knows something that I dont