Advice Needed About Children Leaving Home

[Robbed]

Hi, I am needing some advice about my son leaving home. I have been struggling with complex PTSD for some time and if you have read my other posts you will know that I have been having exposure therapy with some extreme reactions. My question to you is my 21 year old son is moving out of home and although I think it is a great idea for him to be independant and not to be my parent or my carer I am terrified of being alone in my house. I have limited friends as I find opening up to people quite difficult. I am frightened of acting like a "freak" ( sorry my words only for me not anyone else) when I dissociate therefore i can't let anyone get too close.

My problem is that I have parents who live close and I am trying not to have contact with them as they are both poisonious for me. ( long history of abuse from my father and being shared amongst a pedifile ring , with my mother being aware of what was happening to me). Also as an adult I was kidnapped, raped and totured before being dumped in the bush,.this has left me with a fear of being alone as well as a fear of being with people I don't know.

How are I going to live by myself? My therapist is concerned that I will dissocaite and get lost as my son frequently stops me from getting out of the house if I have dissocaited during the night following a nightmare.

Has anyone else been through the fear of living alone for the first time? Can you please give me some clues?

I am acting excited for my son as he prepares to leave. He worries about me and I know it is important that he lives a young person life.

My husband left me 8 years ago when he found out about my PTSD and the reason that I have it. ( Not understanding at all)

I am blessed that both my boys love me without knowing the details of my PTSD.
I am scared !:dontknow:

 

[ladybug08]

I too don't have many friends due to PTSD. I can be a very difficult person to get to know. My son is looking forward to leaving home for college, and I will be alone. That scares me. The only family I have close by is my sister. I really can't give you an answer, but I can tell you that you are not alone :Hug_emoticon:.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Get an alarm system so that if you do disassociate during the night the alarm will go off when you open the door. Learn grounding skills/coping skills for when you are anxious.

Get a hobby to do to take your mind off of yourself and symptoms. Exercise, eat healthy, lots of fruits and veggies. Join other forums to keep contact with other people. Face your trauma, triggers, and anxiety with the help of your therapist... There are a ton of things that you can do to help yourself to be alone. I have lived alone for the last 10 yrs, and love it now.....Probably too much now... LOL!!!!!!

 

[CaliSparrow]

in need of professional help

Dear Robbed,

I regularly see a trauma specialist at the local university. He is a Psychiatrist and also an amazing therapist because of his experience. Please find specifically a trauma specialist through a university, hospital or through a foundation such as RAINN.org. Trauma specialists understand us. They are not our friends or family but are people professionally trained to help people like us. Good luck and God speed!

CS