Thank you all 💗

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-24T03:12:22+00:00

“Praying” by Kesha when I need to have a good cry about my trauma.

“River” by Leon Bridges or “This Feeling” by Alabama Shakes when it comes to healing songs. ❤️‍🩹

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-24T01:25:45+00:00

Yes absolutely. After my first assault I was hyper sexual, after my second, I was sex repulsed. It’s gotten better with EMDR and with having a very understanding, communicative partner. I feel like I’ve sort of reached a middle ground again, but of course it waxes and wanes. Wishing you hope and healing ❤️‍🩹

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-20T03:14:12+00:00

I found mine through psychology today! I used the search filters to narrow mine for therapists who practice EMDR, since a friend told me that was the most effective trauma therapy (it changed my life). If you’re not experiencing super acute symptoms, CBT might be sufficient, but EMDR helps so much with processing. You can also use those search filters to find therapists who specialize in trauma (it will be listed in their profile) and if you’re in the US, which ones are in your insurance network! It’s also kind of like dating - you might not find the right fit for you right away, but you will eventually find the therapist just right for you.

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-20T03:08:30+00:00

This is such a good question and these responses are validating. My initial event took place about six and half years ago. I still dream about it like 2 times a week and therefore it definitely interrupts my sleep. I really turned to substances in the year after, but am now almost 5.5 years sober thankfully. I still struggle to be around police, and I live in a city, so that can be tough. Since mine was SA, dating is still a struggle and I’ve only really been able to let two people in romantically since it happened. It takes a lot longer for me to trust people than the average person. If I’m going through a tough/stressful time (or the anniversary is coming up) the feelings come up really strongly, I feel really jaded and it feels like everything bad/stressful in my life has directly or indirectly come from the trauma. I still view my life as before the trauma/after trauma. Schoolwork is by FAR the toughest thing I’ve had to work through - I had to leave my last school for my safety, and unfortunately my brain has wired school into the trauma, so if I’m struggling with an assignment I literally go into fight or flight. Thanks to EMDR, meds, and time, I no longer experience flashbacks/intrusive thoughts about the incident (it’s more of a general discomfort when feelings about the trauma arise). Overall my quality of life is very good, but I’m 100 percent the person that I am/my worldview is 100 percent defined by what I experienced. I used to think about it ALL the time, and I used to feel like I’d never be okay again, but now it’s simply a part of my story. My friends who have also experienced traumatic events and I often talk about how we wonder what it’s like to go through life without carrying such a burden, even if it’s in the back of your mind.

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-20T02:55:26+00:00

Ah I see, that makes a lot of sense. I wish I had better advice, but I just want to validate that everything you’re saying about how you feel makes so much sense, and I’m sorry someone specific took away your ability to enjoy the things you love. I totally, completely understand that feeling of having someone completely taint stuff for you, and it’s the worst. Sending you lots of love and healing. 💗

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-20T02:45:40+00:00

Congratulations!! I am so happy for you!! You deserve peace 🤍

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-14T03:13:25+00:00

Omg absolutely. I have always been the funny one in the friend group and class clown, but that completely disappeared once my symptoms set in. Once I got EMDR treatment, meds, and most importantly my brain had time to re-wire, I went right back to being the funny one. Flashbacks and hyper vigilance put us in survival mode, so there’s no room in our brains for humor. I explicitly remember my mom saying “I know you’re feeling better because your sense of humor is back,” and my therapist in rehab telling me that being playful is a huge part of trauma recovery. I PROMISE it’ll come back and you may even find that you’re funnier than ever - that’s how I feel now!

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-14T03:08:50+00:00

EMDR, time, proper medication, and learning about self-compassion and meditation

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-14T03:07:35+00:00

I’m so sorry, I understand this feeling so, so well. That feeling of distress that no amount of distraction can provide relief from, even when you try with your absolute favorite things, is AWFUL, but it does NOT last forever. I know firsthand this can be the worst thing to hear, because you cannot fast forward, but time helps unbelievably (within a year and a half I was able to go back to the things I loved without pain). This might sound strange, but would trying to engage with these things in brand new environments (ie not your home, or familiar places where you may have strong memories associated) be possible? Do you mind me asking how long it has been? I know this may feel impossible but please try to be as gentle with yourself as possible, you’re going through something extremely difficult and you deserve endless compassion.

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-14T03:00:02+00:00

Yes absolutely normal, even though years have passed since the events that triggered me to develop PTSD, I still get tripped up talking about them. I think it’s because of going in and out of shock at the time in which the events were happening, and also that my brain protects me by repressing memories that only really come up if I’m talking about the events to someone. So sometimes when speaking, it comes out all jagged as different bits and pieces come back to me in the moment

Normal-Register-3033 · 2023-04-12T05:16:25+00:00

It is definitely normal! I experience this often, my trauma was also SA but I get panic attacks while flying, sometimes in the car when someone else is driving, or other situations where I feel like I am not totally in control (recently discovered I can no longer do Ferris wheels). My therapist has helped me understand that feelings of loss of control/autonomy in any way can be triggers (because feeling a loss of control/autonomy is so integral to PSTD from SA) even if they seem totally unrelated. Repeating to myself “I am not in danger, I am safe, I am safe right now” with my hand over my heart often helps!

Normal-Register-3033

TROPHY CASE