Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
Just wanted to briefly introduce myself to the board. I've been dealing
with the cumulative effects of repeated traumas from abusive "family"
members. The abuse I suffered, starting as a very young child, is pretty severe. I grew up fearing for my life at least as young as the age of
3, maybe earlier (can't remember earlier) I have found myself entangled with very abusive people throughout my life, always though the relationships started out loving and supportive, and then turned into something horrible.
I, of course, always blamed myself, and tried harder to please the
bullies in my life. They loved that, and abused me harder still. I didn't
find out about personality disorders and their propensity to abuse others
until just a few years ago. I've read everything I can about the subject,
especially how people like me get caught up believing these people
are going to be safe and loving.
The upshot is that I have a pretty intense case of complex PTSD, and
it can be debilitating. I'd love to hear how others have found ways
to cope with PTSD.
with the cumulative effects of repeated traumas from abusive "family"
members. The abuse I suffered, starting as a very young child, is pretty severe. I grew up fearing for my life at least as young as the age of
3, maybe earlier (can't remember earlier) I have found myself entangled with very abusive people throughout my life, always though the relationships started out loving and supportive, and then turned into something horrible.
I, of course, always blamed myself, and tried harder to please the
bullies in my life. They loved that, and abused me harder still. I didn't
find out about personality disorders and their propensity to abuse others
until just a few years ago. I've read everything I can about the subject,
especially how people like me get caught up believing these people
are going to be safe and loving.
The upshot is that I have a pretty intense case of complex PTSD, and
it can be debilitating. I'd love to hear how others have found ways
to cope with PTSD.
Your story is different than mine, but I can relate the to feeling and the symptoms of PTSD. I hope you find some peace.
Just wanted to say hello.
Sincerely,
Jane
I like how you phrased "found myself entangled with very abusive people throughout my life". I did that too. Kind of sad to see a pattern in childhood, teen and young adult life. I often blamed myself, thinking, "oh I must have not explained myself well enough and they probably though, that is why..." Or would feel bad when I would assert anger and end up feeling mean and selfish. These were just the same thoughts I had from my childhood abuse.
Your experiences sound similar to mine.
The people here are inspiring and comforting and helpful. It is such a gift to be able to know that we are not alone.
The most common way I cope with PTSD is by staying at home a lot. I think that the more things in my life that I am able to keep the same, the more i am able to feel more at peace.
tell you all how amazing and relieving it is to hear how similar our
coping patterns are.
I felt defective for years as I have isolated when the triggers were
too much for me. Or if I had had a run in with another toxic person.
I've quit so many groups because they had been taken over by
a toxic person and I couldn't bear to be around them, regardless
of whether they had targeted me or not.
So thank you all for your comments. This is really the first time in
my life that I found a group with coping patterns so completely
similar to my own. Wow! Thanks for being here. I look forward
to learning more.