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.
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
My heart goes out to you about beings 16 and being under your dad's cruel control. I remember that all too well. My dad got a shotgun when I was 15, and went and stored it in my bedroom, which was where he put bars on the windows and abused me. It was like he was cornering me and giving me a deadly weapon at the same time, like he had a death wish he wanted me to carry out.
I wanted no part of it, so I got out of the house at 17, as soon as I could. I had all of my high school graduation credits early, so I left all of my high school friends and took off 4 months before our exams. It was lonely and hard, but I got away from his lunacy, which got worse over time until finally the law stepped in and put an end to it.
That was 30 years later, though, so you're right about how the police don't care until, as you wrote, it goes "Far enough. (Sarcasm)." But at least I didn't live my life under a murder charge, if that's what he really wanted with that bars-on-the window and give-me-a shotgun stunt he pulled in my house when I was your age.
I hope you can get out safely and well when the time is right.
Cry, you did a great job at explaining the hard to explain. I am glad you and your Mother are away from him and now safe. But sometimes that's when worry and anxiety amp up, because there is less mess on the plate to deal with, or fires to put out.
Your closed file, I am sorry that you weren't believed by police in some states they still will rely on the adage of what goes on at home is not thier business if everyone survives. This happened with me also but then I was also labeled as a liar by a chorus of family for trying to speak out.
I like the idea of a trip, so maybe talk with your mother about a weekend or week with safe family or friends that will give you some good semi-independent experiences. You are 16 and growing up, but it should not be this fast, with this much hurt as a teacher. A good example and a few good experiences go a long way in helping build your resilience. Sometimes feeling trapped does a good job of breaking down resilience.
If you have interests in hobbies or creativity, maybe even try volunteering as a coach or assistant with younger children participating in these activities. This will help you more than you know with feelings of self guided control. Also get and find a counselor you are comfortable with. Whether there was a case or not, many counselors know that a lot goes unreported or the victim is not offered validation to work from. Seeing others in a group support arrangement will also help you validate you are not alone in this. They can help you build tools to manage your feelings and memories.
As always we are here and will listen and support you.
Jewell
I want you to know I hear you and feel your pain. Just so you know, taking an hour to write this down takes a lot of thought and courage so I want to thank you for sharing your story. I don’t think it’s small at all and I think you already notice but people replying to this post shows that people care about you.
Continue on the conversation. It’s good to open up and share some of these darkest deepest secrets of our lives whether verbally or virtually. I don’t think God created us whether we are introverts or extroverts on a deserted island all by ourselves.
Praying for you this day that God will smooth the crooked places and allow you to walk in the path of healing and restoration.