Lived Experience Forum

[Givingup90]

TW: rape

I've been raped 3 times by 3 different men, one was a boyfriend. Abused for over 20 years with physical and verbal abuse from my stepfdad, lost multiple jobs due to crippling PTSD which had had a snowball effect on my living situation and overall well-being.

Honestly I've just lost the steam to keep writing, this won't help my situation but I will say a patient who could POTENTIALLY develop a reliance/addiction to prescription drugs seems like a better alternative to a patient who is now deceased because you were more concerned about the possibility of developing a prescription drugs than having a dead patient who killed themselves because or inadequate therapeutic effects received from prescription drugs for someone with acute PTSD...Honestly I'm done 

[ButterflyBeauty]

Hello @Givingup90 ,

Thank you for reaching out to the community at SANE forums. I would like to acknowledge the courage and strength it takes to be vulnerable. We are so glad that you are here!

It sounds like you have been through some significant traumatic events in your life and I want to empathise for your situation. At the SANE forums, we are a community of like minded individuals whom have their own experience of mental health and trauma. I hope that you find the connection and identification you are looking for.

Please be aware that we are not a crisis service nor can provide medical advice or provide treatment for specialised areas that require expertise support. I am providing a few referral pathways below that in addition to the forums, may help provide you with some extra support and a fuller support network:

• 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• NSW Sexual Violence Helpline: 1800 424 017
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Crisis Chat 
• Suicide call back service: 1300 659 467 or online counselling 
• If in immediate danger: 000 

I would just like to also highlight thatthis conversation could be difficult or uncomfortable for some members of our community. Our forums have a huge amount of members, and sometimes different topics can come up.

Sometimes when reading conversations such as these it can be helpful to reach out to supports to help you through.

Just a friendly reminder that SANE Australia's drop in line, which connects you with counsellors, is available from 10am to 10pm AEST. Their number is 1800 187 263.

Thank you and we hope to connect with you again soon.

ButterflyBeauty

[wellwellwellnez]

It would make a big difference if we could feel each others pain. We have charts and surveys but at best they tell a fraction of the story. I think the one of the best practitioner lingo to look for is "trauma informed". A big part of the philosophy is choosing mindfulness over assumption. There's trauma informed practitioners but I also think it's something we can all invoke more in each other. I'd say it's about as fundamental as "mental health safety".

[tyme]

Hi @Givingup90 ,

Thank you for trusting the community and sharing your story with us.

I'm sorry to hear the challenges you have faced and how you've managed to find ways to manage.

While relying on prescription drugs may work for a time, the road ahead seeks to work with the inner hurt. Like a bandaid covers a wound for a time, the infection still festers.

You deserve all the love and care you can get. I hope you will be able to find someone who can help you through this dark period, and work with the inner hurt that is leaving you to rely on potentially-harmful coping mechanisms.

Take care,

tyme

[Historylover]

So many of us here know how you're feeling @Givingup90. It can be tough going sometimes, even most of the time for many. I'm really sorry to read of your distress and wish I could offer more than these few words, but they are all I have. I send you my best wishes and hope that dark cloud lifts soon and gives you a fair share of the sunlight. Cheers and take care.

[NatureLover]

Welcome, @Givingup90 ...I'm sorry to hear about all your abuse, the rapes and your PTSD. 😞

Can I ask if you are getting any professional help for your SI (suicidal ideation)? Like meds, a trusted GP, counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist? 

A handy forum tip is if you type @ and then click on a name in the drop-down box, that person will get a notification and won't miss your reply. 

I hope you find the forums supportive...

[AussieRecharger]

@Givingup90 

Strength is what I see here and resilience... Even when you feel like giving up, you are still here not giving up. 

You are not alone, but your situation is yours alone.  How do you make the most of what's left of your life?  How do you love without fear?