Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

[NikNik]

Hi all,

Thank you all so far for your contributions, questions and openness.

I just want to flag, if you are feeling triggered or feel that this conversation is causing more distress than help - please listen to those instincts and take care of yourself.

If things continue to escalate, it's important to reach out for help.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or crisis chat

Suicide call back: 1300 659 467 or crisis counselling

Nik

[SGW]

my issues are to do with justice as like many abusers he is walking free however he has a child in his care and i am ignored by authority and also by social workers. how i cope is i stand up and try and then am continuly knocked down. I am under 30 so i do not have life experiences others might and to date all mine with mental health have been negative to the point i have nearly given up on the system. Infact when given distraction techniques i can say i did most by instinct. I was offered compensation and ways to mask and ignore the issues and my past but these are not a goal of mine. I am in the process of finding legal council and if anyone else here has tried to get it to court you will agree this is not an easy task. On really bad days where i have flash backs my main distraction is singing and working as well as doing various community projects to help and reach out to others. Writting helps. I do whatever i need to to get though and survive untill i am able to stand up again and continue the fight which makes it a slow process... I know validation in the mirror is a great technique as well as finding a creative outlet my current one is knitting. Each is different. I also struggle with the stigma and judgement others have towards survivours however i am honest and genuine about my experiences with most however i rarely share the timeline as most do not believe it!

[AussieGirl]

I withdraw, isolate, put on my professional cap at work and try to fight off the thoughts and triggers whilst at work and sob and sob when alone. 

[Maggie]

Withdraw. Opted out of life as much as possible. 

[Former-Member]

@NikNik, hello, how does this work again, are we talking to, supporting each other or waiting for you & Rockpool to respond?

[Shaz51]

Hello @Former-Member

My husband`s  is --Avoidance, widthdrawal, social phobia, , anxiety/panic attack, nightmares & lack of trust

hates crowds, authorities, too many social events , and the big one is PEOPLE

[j___________]

I haven't been diagnosed with PTSD but recently went through a traumatic event/s. I'm having problems with depression and anxiety. I already have these and lived with them for 20 years. I'm having panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, sleeping issues, nightmares and vivid and disturbing dreams, crying constantly, irritable, angry, frightened of everything and so tired! I am withdrawing, medicating more than usual, eating more than usual, and I've noticed starting to 'forget' certain events and details of what happened. I think my brain is processing everything and causing me to forget some details. This scares me a bit as I have a feeling of 'losing' my mind! At the same time I wish I could forget what happened but I know that this won't happen and I need to deal with my issues.

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member depression can be a result of trauma as it occurs from sustaned, unresolved stress, however everyone's experience is different and not everyone will experience this following a traumatic experience.

[AussieGirl]

@Shaz51 and @j___________ sum it up very well indeed. I will never trust a health professional or anyone else again.

[Kayee]

Oh my J, everything you mention is the same as me. I'm medicating with herbal preparations, just commenced this month, in an attempt to assist sleep, and build some resilience. 

Outsbursts, intrusive thoughts, waking with disturbing memories, crying a very inappropriate times, etc etc

hello everyone