Hey, ladies. I was just thinking a lot lately with all of the different discussions about rape and different traumatic events so many of us on this board have suffered through.
PTSD is not something that only effects those who have been to war, but it also effects many, MANY more people world wide who have gone through something tragic and don't know how to cope.
It was brought to my attention in a DearSOS thread that rape is the second most common even to suffer PTSD for---coming second only to those who have gone to war.
I wanted to open discussion to anybody who feels they may be suffering through PTSD due to rape or any other even that involved abuse, loss, and/or suffering. I feel as if I have been suffering PTSD due to a rape in my past for a few years, now, and never had it properly diagnosed, but was instead told by counselors that I was 'depressed' and 'bi-polar'. One even labeled me 'ADHD' simply because of symptoms being mixed up and misread.
After something I went through this summer, and lots of thinking, I've realized that I need to seek some help before my son is born in June, so I can have myself under control and be able to completely concentrate on him.
If any of you feel that you are going through something similar, please talk to me.
There is another woman on here (SN-KateTheGreat) who is GREAT with resources for this type of thing, and I have quite a few, as well.
:hugs, (L), and :goodvibes to all of you, whether you remain silent or you speak out.
-Kelsi

I have suffered sexual abuse from a stranger, the loss of my husband, mental abuse from a boyfriend, and a near fatal car-accident. I definitely think I have some PTSD. I have MAJOR trust issues, and I stereo-type men alot. (I know it isn't right)

I have never been diagnosed by a mental professional, but Lord.. Thats just to name a couple of the tramatic things that have happened.

I am a pretty together person, despite all of the shit. I try to be the rock for other people. Im a survivor and a very strong woman due to the events that have occured. I have been thinking of some grief counseling though, I miss James so much, I sometimes think it's unhealthy.

Oh, goodness. I can't imagine how horrible it must feel coping losing your hubs. I'm SO sorry.
You know, I relate to you a lot, though. I've lost about a total of 10 people VERY close to me in the past few years. More than 3 of them were due to suicide, which was incredibly hard to deal with. Then there's dealing with the rape, and the thing that happened to me this summer---something I haven't yet come to terms with on my own and don't feel comfortable admitting out loud, yet.
My parents divorced this summer after 20 years of marriage, I've lost a lot of my friends since I stopped partying, and nobody really seems to understand.
It's really hard, you know? That's why I started this thread. To talk, and to listen to those who need to talk. I love to listen.
That's another thing you said that I relate to. I'm EVERYBODY's rock. I only do my best, though.
---I just started reading your short story (on your blog). You already have me in tears, woman. :hugs

Oh, goodness. I can't imagine how horrible it must feel coping losing your hubs. I'm SO sorry.
You know, I relate to you a lot, though. I've lost about a total of 10 people VERY close to me in the past few years. More than 3 of them were due to suicide, which was incredibly hard to deal with. Then there's dealing with the rape, and the thing that happened to me this summer---something I haven't yet come to terms with on my own and don't feel comfortable admitting out loud, yet.
My parents divorced this summer after 20 years of marriage, I've lost a lot of my friends since I stopped partying, and nobody really seems to understand.
It's really hard, you know? That's why I started this thread. To talk, and to listen to those who need to talk. I love to listen.
That's another thing you said that I relate to. I'm EVERYBODY's rock. I only do my best, though.
Im just very lonely without James. He was my soulmate, and hes gone forever. It's really hard for me to accept that. He's all I ever knew, and not to mention the only father my daughter has. I just wish I could see him one more time. I do get to dream about him, thats a big blessing. I go to his grave and I talk to him when im down. That helps.

The other stuff bothers me, but not nearly as much as that. When I get stressed about the bad things that have happened to me, I try to focus on the good things. One of my better qualities is the ability to forgive people and be positive.

I just finished your blog, and I'm in tears. I'll be back to say more, later.
That was just so touching.
I think I love you. If that isn't creepy. :hugs

I just finished your blog, and I'm in tears. I'll be back to say more, later.
That was just so touching.
I think I love you. If that isn't creepy. :hugs
:blush Thanks! I really should write more, it's a good release. No, it isn't creepy! :lol I (L) you too :D

My Mom suffers from lifelong PTSD because of what her step father put her through. The woman can be downright nutty, and it isn't at all her fault.

I suffer from PTSD from multiple rapes growing up in an abusive household just to go from one abusive boyfriend to another.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD sense I was a young child, I think the first time was when I was 5 and called the cops on my dad. I am not sure, but I have been diagnosed with it as recently as a week and a half ago.

I have tried EMDR which is Eye Movement decensatiaion (sp?) to help with flash backs and nightmares it has helped some but not completely I still have flashbacks and nightmares they just don't occur every night now.

That is helpful information. I'm sure other will think so as well. :yes
I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that! :hugs
I can't seem to stop my nightmares/flashbacks. They usually come together. I'll have a horrible nightmare once or twice every night, wake up and not be able to fall back asleep...and have flash backs once I'm awake.

I suffer from PTSD, but its related to a severe car accident.

I was diagnosed w/ PTSD a few years back. I was raped and got pregnant. Then every pregnancy I had after that would trigger depression and flashbacks and all that.

It took about 8 years of therapy, but I think I'm finally stable enough. I'm on consistent meds, and am very happy right now.

I was diagnosed with PTSD related to a near fatal car accident (along with panic disorder, anxiety disorder, etc.) The best help I have gotten is through therapy. I would definitely encourage you to find a therapist (get a reference from your regular doctor) geared towards PTSD or similar disorders. It sounds like you have been through so much, and you also sound extremely strong, but no one expects you to be able to deal with all this on your own!

I've tried EMDR also, as well as acupuncture. I've read books (one that is not specifically dealing with PTSD, but panic is called "Peace From Nervous Suffering" by Dr. Claire Weekes). EMDR was helpful. Acupuncture was WONDERFUL. The book helped too.

The best advice I could give, at least from my own experiences, is, first, knowing that you will never be the way you were before your experiences, but you can definitely grow. It is important to get treatment, whatever works best for you, everyone is different. Just be dedicated to getting better. And I'm sure your baby is good motivation to get a start...I hope this was a little helpful, and feel better, and good luck, you sound like you are doing an amazing job and coping well!

I was diagnosed with PTSD years ago due to the abuse from my ex. Along the way I have also been diagnosed with panic and anxiety disorders as well. I had been in and out of counselling for years, but the most help I got was from a battered women's group where we could share our experiences and help each other heal. I have been free of all of it, and the meds that went with it, for about 2 years.

My son, however, still suffers from PTSD from witnessing the abuse. He attends counselling weekly, but I haven't seen any progress at all as of yet and it has been years. But his problem is he has repressed all of it so he has nothing to 'work' on.

:hugs to you kelsi.

I suffer from it due to my father being killed in front of me when I was 6. I went to therapy for many years afterwards.

I suffer from PTSD, but its related to a severe car accident.

Me too, from about the time I was 5 I became like a car accident magnet! I was in 13 car accident from age 5 to age 16. I would only drive with certain people and even then it was only when I had to go somewhere. DH can tell you he had bruises on his arm where I would smack him when he would drive recklessly (it was instinct cause I would just panic). I didn't get my license until my 20th birthday because I knew when I did people would make me drive and I didn't want to. I invision every possible car accident when I'm driving, i can't be on highways I literally have panic attacks. I don't have nightmares anymore because of the accidents (its been long enough for me to stop having them) but I still have panic attacks sometimes when I am driving if I feel uncomfortable in any way.

I also had some PTSD from being beaten a lot, my dad was abusive when I was a kid (again about 5 is when it started) and then I was with an abusive boyfriend. I didn't trust men at all, and I would flinch when people would get to close, I would have crazy nightmare and ended up having severe insomnia. How I moved past it I don't really know, maybe time, but I noticed after a while that i was finally in a good place and I trusted guys again, plus I had a friend teach me how to fight, and that made me feel 10 times more secure. Ken (DH) is someone I never have to worry about being violent towards me (he gets angry and yells but never physical) and I know that I can trust him and over time he proved it time and time again and now I don't even think about it. Every once in a while (normally when my dad and I fight) I kinda break down, forgiveness is really hard for me and forgiving my dad and trying to keep a relationship with him is an ongoing battle, sometimes it affects me and I break down, but DH is always around to pick up the pieces and stand up for me so yeah.

I suffer from it due to my father being killed in front of me when I was 6. I went to therapy for many years afterwards.

:sadeyes I'm so sorry, what an awful thing for a 6-year-old to see :hugs

I was never medically diagnosed, but my school counselor told me that I had PTSD. I had a guy friend make a suicide call to me. I watched him drink floor cleaner and then he attacked me with a large kitchen knife. For the next year, any time I would smell any type of like pinesol or the equivilent, I would freak out and start crying and hyperventilate (spelling?). I went to therapy for a few years. It's REALLY helped me getting to talk about it. I still have really small panic attacks when something triggers a memory, but I've gotten to the point where I can amost 100% be ok with the fact that it happened. Like someone else said, I'll never be the same as before it happened, but I feel like I'm as close to that as I could get.

I personally would like to keep my events to myself...plus it's hard to talk about things when you're in the process of getting over things..but i think it's awesome how you're reaching out to other women!!! You're an amazing person Kels

Gabe has been dx'd with PTSD because of his medical history. If he goes to the dr, I have to tell the receptionist to make sure the dr knows not to wear his "white coat" into the room. Sends Gabe into an absolute fit.

I was just dx'd with it. Mine comes from everything that I have seen and dealt with with Gabe and Danica. Dr's didnt used to bother me. I swear I am having panic attacks when I pull into the parking lot now.

:sadeyes I'm so sorry, what an awful thing for a 6-year-old to see :hugs

Thank you. It was horrible.