Yes it can be a bit too much to hear for people without the training to cope. And like you say, they probably don’t know what to say.
At least we have DS, the people here get you.

There is definitely a time and a place for such things, and anything outside of that is guaranteed to be awkward for me.

Absolutely. Heck, for twelve whole years I didn't even open up to my own weekly therapist about the core incident of my PTSD (I was car bombed at age 9 as a missionary kid). When I mention it in the "normal" world outside of this group even now, it's funny how people want me to explain it to them. Um, I was 9, and besides, I wasn't the guy who threw the bomb at my family's car. They'd have to ask him, right?


Coming here has really turned my frustration with that around, though. I just mentioned it and didn't fall apart. They say "repetition brings mastery," and repeating that incident over and over here among people who care has helped me get a handle on it.

As for that silence others respond with out there in the world should we ever reveal our trauma to them, I don't know what to say. I'm twice divorced over that. My partners knew my history well and were attracted to me because of my story. But in the end they didn't actually want to live with it and so they each chose other partners and moved on to live with them. In my second divorce my partner moved on to live with someone I really liked, too, and still do. Like me, he grew up abroad and has an interesting story, but it doesn't involve war and trauma like my life story abroad does. It's interesting but easier to live with.

That hurt, but there wasn't much I could do to change my past. There is still a stigma attached to PTSD, though it is getting better, thanks for the efforts of folks like those here at DS PTSD.

Your response makes me feel so understood, thank you. I just started this account and just having people like you respond already makes me feel less alone.

I have the same thing but those in my environment act like it is no big deal at times and at times they ignore me. I still to talking to my therapist and one of my friend who understand. Yes, you are not alone, we got to keep moving and do our best.

Welcome aboard this DS lifeboat. Here is where we can talk freely and, even more important, be understood. Because we have been there we can relate. Those who have not just don't have a frame of reference to relate. Feel free to read posts and replies as many replies have shares of tools that have worked for them. Welcoming and comforting hugs.

I have the same problem with my in-laws they tend tho to not want to understand the problem that I am going thru. For me they always say just forget about it and move on.