Sufferer Witnessing and Support

[RainbowSearchParty]

Hi all.

I’ve been lurking for a long time, finally posting here.

I’m a long time PTSD human, far too much childhood nonsense to sort in that regard. I also have DID, which I’ve known about now for six or seven years — confusing years, unstable and really sick years. But I’m relatively stable now, on a planned break from therapy after about a decade in.

But what I’m noticing is that without therapy, I have no one in my life that really knows my struggles or my story, or even that I have PTSD or DID in the first place. And while I feel stable to be out of therapy, I also just really miss the act of witnessing and validation that it gave. I hope to find that here: communal witnessing and support, and a shred understanding of how hard this can be but how there is also hope for a better life.

 

[Riley Jones]

Welcome to the community, and thank you for sharing your story with us. It takes courage to speak up about your struggles, especially when it comes to complex issues like PTSD and DID. It's truly valuable to have a place where you can share your experiences and feel understood.

It's understandable that being out of therapy could leave you feeling a bit isolated without that regular validation and support. Finding a community where you can connect with others who have similar experiences can be incredibly beneficial for feeling heard and supported.

Here at myptsd.com, you have the opportunity to connect with individuals who understand what you're going through and offer their support. Sharing your story and hearing from others can provide a sense of validation and solidarity in your journey towards healing and recovery.

There are specific forums on myptsd.com dedicated to topics like PTSD, DID, and other related issues where you can engage with others who may share similar experiences. I encourage you to explore these forums and continue reaching out for support here. Remember, seeking professional help when needed is important, but having a supportive community can also be a valuable part of your healing process.

Thank you for being a part of this community, and know that you're not alone in your journey towards a better life.

 

[Sideways]

Love that you’ve graduated from therapy and it sounds like it’s going okay for you? Life with PTSD and DID is definitely isolating, so welcome to the community!

 

[arfie]

hello rainbo. welcome to the forum. sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

i "graduated" from formal therapy to, "therapy maintenance" around 2k. the "graduation" did not mean, "cured." it only meant i had gathered enough therapy tools to maintain the stability and awareness i had achieved during formal therapy.

I also just really miss the act of witnessing and validation that it gave.

on my personal measure, this is far more than nostalgia. it is one of my more essential therapy tools. as my healing continues, i keep changing and the changes are far from familiar or assured. the give and take of continued support from my peer support network helps me gauge my continued progress while keeping myself well-reminded of tools, etc. without that support, it is all too easy to fall back into my early psychotic conditioning. the meanest lies in the world are the ones we tell ourselves. i am fine. how are you?

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

Hi @Sideways and @arfie

Thank you both for the kind welcome. I didn’t so much ”graduate” therapy as I stopped: life circumstances meant that I couldn’t continue with my (past) therapist, and I decided to take a break instead of trying to find a new one, as the area I live in now seems to have a dearth of trauma specialists. So I’m trying life without therapy to see how it goes, and I’m hoping for the best.