Advice/resources To Help Convey The Pain?

[bluepassport]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and slowly making my way through the site. It's been lovely being welcomed so warmly - I'm glad I found my way here.

I'm struggling with the isolation and anger that comes along with coping with PTSD, anxiety, depression and grief. I'm seeing a therapist who specializes in PTSD and she's been an incredible support for me through this process.

But in the "in between" moments outside of our sessions, I find it challenging to cope. I'm hurting in ways that I can't quite comprehend - let alone try to explain it to others in my life who haven't experienced this sort of thing. The one or two people I trust have recently shared that they don't know how to help me anymore. While I believe they are genuine in their concern for me, sometimes their words bite and come off as insensitive and condescending. Because of this, I've isolated myself to the point where I don't want to talk about it with anyone anymore and can't bring myself to engage socially. It's affected my relationships, confidence and overall willingness to open up and share.

I'm hoping others here can share any advice on what has/hasn't worked for them and what I can do to help trusted friends understand what we go through. Open to any suggestions you all have :)

Sending you light in your journey.

 

[sun seeker]

I feel for you. In my experience, someone who hasn't experienced this kind of pain can't really get it completely. You'll find this is an oft-discussed source of isolation and frustration among the folks here. Most of us have asked ourselves the same question: how to explain so people get it? And we find they really can't, and that is disappointing, and isolating, and frustrating. Being understood and accepted right where we are is a universal human need. That is one of the things many of us get from this site: just being around others who understand.

That said, you may find what helps most is to tell your friends who want to help and don't know how, to stop trying to help and just listen, or just be with you. You have a therapist to help you work through the trauma. Your friends don't need to do that. You may have to repeat this many times, and even so, some may get it and some may not. In finding who sticks with us and who doesn't in this journey, we find the real keepers as opposed to the fair-weather friends.

Welcome, I'm glad you found us and hope you feel at home here.

 

[Hope1969]

My heart is with you. I have heard you.

Sending you a hug if you accept :hug:

 

[bluepassport]

I feel for you. In my experience, someone who hasn't experienced this kind of pain can't really get...

Thank you for your response and encouragement, sun seeker. You reminded me of something that I struggled with growing up - the need to tell people that "they don't need to fix me...I just need you to listen". I guess I can use that as a starting point when speaking with those I trust now moving forward :)

 

[bluepassport]

My heart is with you. I have heard you.

Sending you a hug if you accept :hug:

Hope1969, how sweet. Thank you for listening and nice to meet you. I accept your hug and send you one back :hug: