Hopeful Despair

My childhood family experiences were mixed. I certainly am not trying to say everything was bad, a lot was quite good. Anyway, in...

When aged 4 or 5 my friend came to celebrate my birthday (for dinner) with me my dad and siblings... and I knew from the look on her...

When l couldn't have friends over because my Mom would have episodes and say things in appropriate or yell.

I guess I always knew, but people still keep telling me my childhood was far from normal. Apparently its not normal for your parents to...

When I was a 14 I remember sitting my parents down to explain to them how to “parent” my 16 year old sister and what kind of support...

This is an interesting one, for me I suppose it has layers. The first layer being that my parents are Deaf, I knew from pretty young...

I think I always knew. But not for the reasons I should’ve known. I grew up in a community where it was rare to have divorced parents...

It was a common thread in my education… how ‘every child’ thinks their childhood is normal. So it wasn’t something that could be used...

Absolutely fascinating thread. It has stayed with me (I work in primary education) all day.

My therapist. Quite honestly, it didn't occur to me my childhood fell outside the norm until I was told (in my 30s!).

When me (11) & my 9 yr old sister were paid to perform pop songs/opera arias at shopping centres (malls) and encouraged to act like...

When I was 15 or so I committed a small misdemeanor to keep from getting in trouble with my dad, but my adult brother reacted pretty...

My T told me that it’s not normal for children to take themselves to their dentist and doctor appointments. I didn’t think 13 was a...

when my fifth grade teacher reacted to my offer of a blow job. i didn't know men could be repulsed by such an offer.

I knew having an ulcer at 4 or 5 wasn't 'normal', but I didn't know kids were supposed to have someone home or not know how to 'do'...

My partner asked me to stop watching Dance Mom's in his house because it's so toxic it puts him in a bad mood. I was like 🧐 what do you...

I think mine is cumulative. I never had big issues with medical stuff when I was really young, but beginning when I was about 20, I...

Yeah, I need someting like this. Plain old exercise doesn't help--I need to destroy something when I feel like this.

Very much relate to this and the overwhelm that @whiteraven also feels with medical and insurance industrial complex. What you said...

emotional channeling is my front line tool for managing such episodes. if i'm depressed, i might channel the sadness into singing sad...

Definitely stress cup, but mine seems to fill all at once. I mean, things may have been building in this situation, but sometimes I feel...

I totally understand your frustration with the medical field. I also understand that stress cup overflowing too. And your reaction. I...

Stress cup, right? It’s handy to know about the stress cup, and how we need to empty it out because with ptsd on board it’s always...

So, I have these episodes--which are better than they used to be, but they are still bad--that I am completely unable to manage. I end...

Schitt’s Creek is the best!! LOL

Binge worthy shows: Psych The Office Schitt’s Creek Supernatural Fringe Cobra Kai Zombie The Good Place Arrested Development Stranger...

When I lost my cat, Dino, I heard him for a couple of years after that. I would hear his little cry in the distance. It was strange and...

And thank you all for being so kind. ❤️

No prerequisite. EMDR was designed/invented/discovered for trauma. But it’s actually EFFECTIVE on a wide range of disorders with no...

Yes, can relate in some ways. The mental health care system is brutal. I am so very sorry this happened to you. I have a few...

I pay for private counceling once a week which has been a blessing. obviously in hospital you have therapy but your dosed up on 500mg of...

Awe sweetie, welcome to the forum. I have nothing to really relate to you, but I have bits and pieces and I care. After a childhood...

Welcome to the forum. We may be on opposite sides of the world but this forum can bring us closer. You'll have friends, support, and...

I get this, I do. But obviously, even if he could be persuaded to (very unlikely), this wouldn't be the situation to pursue the issue...

"Excuse me, I have to be somewhere else". What do you use to cope with stressful event's generally? Tools in your toolbox that you're...

yup, i've dealt with similar. my reflexive response was flight or fight. i either ran like a bat out of hell or i went kamakazi to...

My nephew got engaged. His father (my ex-brother-in-law) was one of my rapists. I’m petrified of him. They had quite a few kids and it...

I am sorry you have to deal with that. I am also always available to talk.

Yes, welcome and I hope there is some comfort here for you. I think many of us have had to cut ties with family. I've had to cut ties...

Welcome - and congratulations on the strength of character to cut ties and move forward.

"Alive" is a strong word. Heheh. But yes! We are out here && I definitely hear you. I don't speak to my dad's side of the family so I...

Hi welcome! Sad to hear about you being accused of lying on top of what happened. I love it here. Hope you do too!

Welcome, there are a lot of us with similar stories, and we are all here because of similar effects on our lives. Yes, there are living...

hello traum. welcome to the forum. i believe it is a smart move to broaden your support network. it takes a village to heal. no matter...

Omg that creates such a visual. Great imagery. Welcome! Yep not a Hallmark dweller here more like one of the Lifetime movies that ends...

Thank you all for your kind words of support. I was so distressed that I only slept for 2 hours and had to take another Ativan to get...