Physical & Emotional Abuse Support Group

Abuse is a general term for the treatment of someone that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) that is unlawful or wrongful. No one deserves abuse, period. Abuse can be emotional, physical, or sexual.

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Riddles
Riddles
Hi folks, I'd hoped I'd managed to repress this stuff so far it would never taint my life again: we have just happened to read Othello: the dvd versions of it are quite graphic in their scenes of domestic abuse; now, now this subject just seems to be stabbing me in the heart everytime someone mentions it and I just find it hard to control my emotions now; everytime someone mentions it I just have to leave or cover my ears. I really thought the scars were gone; that I could just carry on with my life. I was wrong.

Do you think you can ever get over this kind of thing?

God I hope you can...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Repressing seriously traumatic experiences is never healthy, because somewhere in your life there will be something that triggers that memory and you will run into significant difficulty dealing with it. I suspect that is what is happening to you right now. This is a classic scenario for delayed-onset PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Since the memories are repressed and the triggers are "popping" now without warning, my suggestion is that you see a therapist and/or pdoc to be evaluated for PTSD. There are wonderful meds and therapies that help you surface those repressed memories and work through them so that they don't reach up and "bite you" at a time when it is truly not convenient.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, get help. The good thing is that now you are getting in touch with this so you are on the road to healing - if you get help.

You could read about it too and there are books and info (eg, Google) you can get on Post traumatic Stress. There are workbooks too. See Amazon.com. But, if you can get a therapist, he or she will help keep you safe while you are facing things.

Don't get frightened at the strength of your reactions. Just keep breathing slowly and steaduly and sit quietly or go and lie down if it gets too much. It'll pass and tell yourself so.

All the best.