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.

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dsf95 06/12/2018

still trying to put the assault behind me and move on with my life. I really like the dance group I’m in, but feeling a little triggered recently. my ex- dance teacher who assaulted me recently shared one of our group’s posts on social media and I got a notification about it. I create events for our group and this shook me up; thank God he didn’t show up at the event!

A new guy joined the dance group and he seemed a little chilly towards me, like not wanting to dance with me socially for no clear reason, which is fine, but something felt off about him and I looked him up and he is related to a female ex- dance teacher from my old studio that I have a business complaint against. I’m really going to stay off social media and I know I have no reason to feel unsafe. I don’t think my old dance studio even cares enough to bother me and it must be a coincidence.

mujicaptsd 06/13/2018

Hope it's just a coincidence, too, dsf95. It probably is, right?

dsf95 06/13/2018

part of me wants to believe that someone from the dance studio would show remorse or concern or something, but that’s probably not going to happen.. still not going to ask that guy to dance if he comes back, because he kind of turned me down once, but not going to be mean. I guess I’ll dance with him if he asks me. I really just don’t want anyone from my old dance studio showing up on the Monday night dances; my stomach does flip flops and I feel like I’m going to faint when I see them.

StrengthofMind 06/13/2018

Have confidence in yourself. You have done nothing wrong. He's the one with the problem. Nothing says you have to dance with him. If you do keep it impersonal as he has done.

dsf95 06/13/2018

Thanks for the replies!

dsf95 06/16/2018

Hmmm..... thought about maybe chatting with him to find out if he’s related to the ex-dance teacher, but that might be awkward. So, sent him a friend request. He accepted it.

Wouldn’t you know, I think he might be the brother of one of my ex- teachers. So, does he really want to join our dance group or does he have some other motive? Is Miss Goody Goody feeling guilty about me being assaulted or is she sending her brother to make sure I’m not doing any “dirty dancing” and being appropriate?

SimpsonsOK 06/16/2018

Wish you hadn't friended him, but understand why you did. I agree with above replies that you keep him at a distance. Don't waste time trying to mind read his motives, just put him in the unsafe category. You just be you. Hugs.

AnnieToman 06/16/2018

Really, why do you feel unsafe at all? There's no reason to have fear about anyone you dont know. I'm not saying to date him, just don't fear him also. Don't give anyone that kind of power over you. Nobody can make you do anything you dont want to do. they cant make you happy or sad, that's your choice only.

dsf95 06/17/2018

I feel unsafe because two years ago a my male ex dance teacher assaulted me at the front door of a dance studio. He had publicly made a scene about not teaching me three months before that day, but I don’t know what provoked him to to kick me in the groin from behind after opening the door for me. The only thing I did wrong that day was trying to go to a public dance party.

I feel unsafe in the social sense, and don’t know if my reputation in the close knit dance community is a good one, even though I’ve found a supportive place to dance.

dsf95 06/17/2018

Absolutely not condoning inappropriate dancing or making anyone uncomfortable, but I’m not really even sure what I did to have made my ex dance teacher act like that.

SimpsonsOK 06/17/2018

Hey, that really was about him. I also doubt that you are the only one he has inappropriately/physically let his anger out on. Angry people create their own reality. Ask anyone who has been in an abusive relationship. They are so careful not to do anything that will displease the abuser, but it doesn't matter. You will likely never know why the verbal or physical attacks occurred. Hugs.

dsf95 06/17/2018

Thank you SimpsonsOK, hugs!

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