How To Reach Out

[Seagreen]

I had a flashback recently and ever since have felt raw and vulnerable.
I feel alienated from my friends and family.

Part of me wants to reach out for some kind of comfort / support but I don't know how or where to find anything like that. It really seems like there is nothing anyone could say or do that would make me better.

I continue to rise and fall apart over and over throughout my life. Its always been my coping strategy to just do my best and wait out the bad times, but as I get older I am becoming more dependent on other people to 'make me feel better'. I feel like I have unrealistic expectations of others that are constantly being disappointed. The more I do this, the harder it becomes to find comfort in myself.

I was wondering, in what way do others receive support from friends or family? How do you communicate your needs? How do you cope when those needs aren't met?

 

[DogwoodTree]

in what way do others receive support from friends or family? How do you communicate your needs? How do you cope when those needs aren't met?

I don't. Your post pretty much nails my experience, too.

I wonder...if maybe there just isn't all that much they can do? For me anyway, I wonder if THOSE experiences just have to be processed alone. But then...I read here about people who are comforted by their T or whatever during a difficult flashback or shutdown or something...so, maybe it's possible. I think maybe I just don't trust anyone enough to let them into that space.

ETA: I meant to also say...maybe we can't connect with anyone in THOSE experiences, but that doesn't necessarily mean we can't connect in other types of experiences, more "normal" ones, and that can help balance out the alone times a little.

 

[Intrepid]

I don't. Your post pretty much nails my experience, too.

Me too. I can't talk to my family about it since they were involved and tend to live in denial. I have few friend, and those I do have don't understand PTSD. Those that do understand PTSD have it and have as hard a time as me relating to others.

I get support from a therapist. I get support from myself as I write, ground, meditate, etc. I get support from this forum. That's about it.