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.
i posted this in the rape support group, so please bear with me.......the anniversary of my rape is coming up in october......and the worst part is that it's on a day that i have school!!!!!!! i can't NOT go to school, and i don't even wanna miss school......i'm trying to think of ways to protect myself and cope through the day, but even so, i'm as scared as ever......i've decided that i'm probably gonna go out to eat lunch and probably drag my friends with me, but i have no idea what else to do....when i get home, i have nothing else to do, so that's good, but how am i supposed to calm myself during school when all the flashbacks come back and i feel those sensations??????? should i tell my teachers what might happen?????? i'm afraid to do that, because i don't know if they should really know that information.....any ideas or suggesrtions on how to cope with it????
I used to skip school on the anniversary of my rape because I couldn't handle being around everyone. I just knew they knew what was wrong and I couldn't handle it, plus I didn't have what it took to put on the "face" that everyone wants to see everyday.
But since you want to be there, focus on your breathing, try to redirect your thoughts and most importantly be gentle with yourself. Give yourself time and space if you need it. Simply excuse yourself to the restroom a little more frequently.
Also, if you have a guidance counselor, maybe spend some time with them. And maybe even ask them to share with your teachers so they understand too. I had to do that because I had gotten so depressed I started failing so my mom and I had a conference with all my teachers. Most offered me extra credit options to bring up my grades.
Another important thing to remember is that it's just one day and not forever. It will pass hopefully quicker than you expect. You can hang on and cope with it for that time.