Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
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So, I'm probably overreacting a bit, but I read this aritcle and it got me thinking and since I'm sick I had all day to think so now I'm probably worrying more than I should...
Anyway. That article I read was about the effects of PTSD on family members.
I've got a younger half-sister (same shitty excuse of a father) who lives with her mother 1/2 an hour away from me. She's a beautiful girl, both on the inside and outside, we get along brilliantly and see each other regularly.
She doesn't know about my PTSD, she's only 11 and I don't want her to feel like she has to worry about me. Never. Fortunately I've never had a full-on flashback in front of her.
But my symptoms also include nearly constant hypervigilance and great difficulties showing/expressing affection (and maybe I'm a little overprotective).
I try saying that I love her every time we speak but I'm worried that my PTSD might affect her negatively.
Those of you who have kids or younger siblings: How do you prevent that? How/Do you talk to them about this? At what age should I tell her about it (Should I at all? I want to be honest with her but I also really, really don't want her to worry!)?
Anyway. That article I read was about the effects of PTSD on family members.
I've got a younger half-sister (same shitty excuse of a father) who lives with her mother 1/2 an hour away from me. She's a beautiful girl, both on the inside and outside, we get along brilliantly and see each other regularly.
She doesn't know about my PTSD, she's only 11 and I don't want her to feel like she has to worry about me. Never. Fortunately I've never had a full-on flashback in front of her.
But my symptoms also include nearly constant hypervigilance and great difficulties showing/expressing affection (and maybe I'm a little overprotective).
I try saying that I love her every time we speak but I'm worried that my PTSD might affect her negatively.
Those of you who have kids or younger siblings: How do you prevent that? How/Do you talk to them about this? At what age should I tell her about it (Should I at all? I want to be honest with her but I also really, really don't want her to worry!)?
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When i was in the ER February 16th 2025, i was being admitted to ICU where i was for 3 weeks, then had to relearn to walk for 3 weeks in another hospital rehab floor, the nurse told me something that made me feel for over 18 months now that i was finally *safe*. She told me that the guy who raped and beat me 21 years ago now almost 20 years at that time, was in prison as of a month before that...
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Sometimes, I think I have ODD. I can be oppositional. It seems that the only times that I feel like cleaning are when I should be doing something else or I have to go somewhere. Well, not everytime but most of the time. Yesterday, I was supposed to be doing online training for work but instead, I decided to work on my kitchen table. Most of the time, I don't know where to start and give...
GEntle purrs of support, and maybe check back a few pages---there was a children's book written by a vet with PTSD, for his kid, and you can probably modify it for your circumstances---or as a beginner's guide for her, given her age:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Post-Traumatic_Stress_Disorder/forum/20361461-ptsd-book-kids
It's at least a starting point maybe?
Blessings.
11 years old is just too young to put something like this on her. But, she will grow up and one day, you will be able to share/disclose your PTSD and how it has affected you.
I suffered with tremendous nightmares until I was in my mid-thirties. It was an awful time of my life. So, I know you may feel the need to share it. It is a shame that people like our fathers get away with what they do. Our mothers tend to be the ones who suffer the most, as I see things. But,we witness things that children should not have to process. I wish you well.
As for the nasties they witness from my own symptoms, I apologize -never excuse- with equally direct simplicity. My bad. Sorry you had to witness that. In the blahs to my personal yaddahs, this would be a typical moment for questions to arise, so I try to make sure my personal inventory is equipped for that potential before I apologize. Equipped, but not expecting. . . They will know when they are ready. They are young, not stupid.
Just my personal approach. . . I am sure if it is a solution or a problem. . .
Whatever you work out for your own approach, kudos for the awareness. Our personal problems really do affect our youngers mightily.
I don't plan on telling her anything (unless she asks maybe) about this anytime soon. I don't even want to tell her, but I feel that at some point, when she's grown up, she deserves the truth, I feel like this is something I shouldn't always keep from her (though I want to). But I still have years to think about that.
So in the meantime I'm just worried that she might pick something up subconsciously, anything that has a negative effect on her.
I just want her to be happy, I'd give anything for that.