In Fear And Feeling Attacked Just By Walking By The House Of The Perpetrator's Family

[Nymeria]

I'm visiting a friend in the city where the perpetrator grew up and his family still lives. They know me, as our families were close. I got so anxious of encountering them or even him, that I entered a state of fear and over-vigilance that I couldn't control. It's been over two hours and I'm still shaken and full of fear. I also had a lot of painful memories flooding in, as my own siblings chose to be understanding or at least neutral towards him, while harsh and accusatory towards me (just get over it, don't destroy the family bonds).

It's been a year and a half and as hard as I try and get past it, constant nightmares and intrusions about the events and the rejection afterwards are keep flooding in.

I have been in therapy and been in a hospital for stabilization, but still feel stuck. Has any of you experienced something similar?

 

[MisterCatLady]

I'm slightly confused what you're asking if we've experienced also. What you're describing is your PTSD symptoms being exacerbated by lack of support from your family. Personally, I don't have much family so that was never an issue but several members here have experienced non-supportive reactions from their family. That is a very stressful element to add onto an already debilitating illness. You're doing great for what you've been handed.

 

[Freedomfighter]

It sucks when family members around you do not give you any kind of support with PTSD, it actually adds to your victimization. I had a father that did that, totally disgusting, especially knowing that he was the very first predator that abused me in my life.

 

[Nymeria]

Thank you MisterCatLady and FreedomFighter!

I'm slightly confused what you're asking if we've experienced also.

Yeah, if anyone has experienced something similar. My hope is that by sharing those similar experiences and advice what has worked for them, I will feel less lost in my own experience.

 

[Nymeria]

It sucks when family members around you do not give you any kind of support with PTSD, it actual...

That's really horrible, I'm sorry this is happening to you. How is the rest of the family responding to this?

 

[Heather]

I can relate. My brother in law sexually assaulted me and my family hasn't been supportive at all.

I saw my b.I.L. in a parking lot....it was a few hours later when it hit me. I was a mess. Full blown panic attack.

I'm sorry you have to go through this.