AllOfHer81

Open Physical & Emotional Abuse

Abused physically/emotionally as a child, neglected and emotionally abused during early teen years, and abused/tortured/held hostage for seven years from 16-24. Also exploited sexually from 18-24.

Treatments

Forgiveness Somewhat Helpful

Asking him directly if he realized that the things he did were wrong and asking what his perspective on it was seemed helpful to some degree. Unfortunately, I am still left with lifelong scars, and it is hard to forgive completely, knowing he did it all on purpose. (He is a sociopath).

Group Therapy Somewhat Helpful

Knowing that others have experienced these things further validates my sanity to some degree and learning about what has happened to them has also raised my awareness of the widespread epidemic of abuse and put inside of me a strong desire to help stop/prevent it.

Leave Somewhat Helpful

Very helpful, of course, though I suffer from severe PTSD due to the duration of my stay in the harmful situation, so.... leaving was somewhat helpful, and it's good that I'm not being abused anymore, though sometimes I don't realize that to be the case.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

Getting feedback on what happened, and my sanity being validated as it was questioned constantly by my captor, and comprehending what happened, that it was not my fault, and that there is hope for the future has been immensely helpful.

Talking Working / Worked

This was terrible to begin with, so instead I tried venting it on a blog, where I received lots of support from my occasional readers, and was able to help them as well. After a while, I could talk about it without breaking down like a baby, but it is still difficult to talk about if I'm in the wrong mood... but desensitizing myself to the memories to some degree has proven helpful.

Open Stress Management

I have difficulty coping with just about anything sometimes - even though sometimes I'm super cool (I suffer from DID) but I would like to find new ways to cope with stress instead of breaking down.

Treatments

Xanax Working / Worked

This works but Id rather find something that wasnt medication such as develop coping skills for myself.

Open Paranoia

I have paranoia about all kinds of things, including hypochondria related paranoia, and thinking people are trying to trick/kill me, and a lot of trust issues with anyone close to me. I get very convinced of these things.

Treatments

Writing Working / Worked

If I write out my paranoia it seems to help alot... once its all out on paper or on the computer and especially if I reread it I can see how crazy it sounds and I can work through it a little bit easier.

Open Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

I was in an extremely abusive relationship for 7 yrs. since age 16. I was abused sexually, physically, mentally, and emotionally and feared for my life. I was also held hostage.

Treatments

Music Working / Worked

Music helps me when I need to drown out the flashbacks a bit, when there's nowhere to go and no way to cope. It helps a lot.

Psychotherapy Too Soon to Tell

Not sure if this is working yet really or not, but I've been in therapy since I escaped. It's been close to three years or so.

Supportive Care Working / Worked

Having my fiance help me and talk me through my panic attacks and flashbacks is a big deal and extremely helpful.

Talking Somewhat Helpful

At first, this seemed like a horrible idea, but after a while, it helped a lot. I started with a journal, since that was a little easier to deal with doing, rather than actual verbalization of the trauma. I still have a lot of problems verbalizing the trauma sometimes.

Open Vegetarians & Vegans
Type: Vegetarian