LadyNellifer
New Here
Hi All,
I’m new here… I’ve been seeing a general counsellor who went through a PTSD assessment with me which indicated that I have PTSD (as long suspected) though she is not medically qualified to give the diagnosis.
When I was between the ages of 14 and 16 I was groomed and then repeatedly sexually abused, manipulated and lied to by someone I trusted. I bottled this up (developing temporary agoraphobia, panic attacks and feeling generally unsafe in the world) until I was 21 when I essentially had an emotional breakdown. At this time I started counselling and had 97 sessions over a 2 year period. This allowed me to report the abuse to the police (unfortunately insufficient evidence and restrictions based on the law at the time led to no conviction.) I then attended a tribunal (as the person who abused me had previously been my teacher) and they were struck off from teaching, this then received local media coverage which was somewhat traumatic in itself.
Feeling I had a sense of closure I considered the matter dealt with but over the years I have had several flare ups of crippling bouts of anxiety or depression where I couldn’t pin point the root cause. Recently my family discussed my trauma with a young family member which has seemed to trigger it all again, leading to a host of unpleasant symptoms and my latest bout of counselling.
Over the years I have struggled with anxiety, depression, headaches/migranes, flash backs, insecurity, panic attacks, low self esteem and a dependence on alcohol (and in my earlier years, escapism in the form of drug taking/reckless behaviour).
Talking to my counsellor now I feel I have re triggered post traumatic stress disorder which is causing my current head aches, insomnia, nausea, flashbacks/nightmares and general anxiety/unease. She thinks that although counselling (talking therapy with a youth counsellor) helped me at the time, I probably need a qualified trauma counsellor to help me deal with the trauma itself at this point.
I have joined this group because I am feeling pretty awful, overwhelmed and scared to go through it all again. Not sure what it is I am looking for, but reassurance might be a good start!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
I’m new here… I’ve been seeing a general counsellor who went through a PTSD assessment with me which indicated that I have PTSD (as long suspected) though she is not medically qualified to give the diagnosis.
When I was between the ages of 14 and 16 I was groomed and then repeatedly sexually abused, manipulated and lied to by someone I trusted. I bottled this up (developing temporary agoraphobia, panic attacks and feeling generally unsafe in the world) until I was 21 when I essentially had an emotional breakdown. At this time I started counselling and had 97 sessions over a 2 year period. This allowed me to report the abuse to the police (unfortunately insufficient evidence and restrictions based on the law at the time led to no conviction.) I then attended a tribunal (as the person who abused me had previously been my teacher) and they were struck off from teaching, this then received local media coverage which was somewhat traumatic in itself.
Feeling I had a sense of closure I considered the matter dealt with but over the years I have had several flare ups of crippling bouts of anxiety or depression where I couldn’t pin point the root cause. Recently my family discussed my trauma with a young family member which has seemed to trigger it all again, leading to a host of unpleasant symptoms and my latest bout of counselling.
Over the years I have struggled with anxiety, depression, headaches/migranes, flash backs, insecurity, panic attacks, low self esteem and a dependence on alcohol (and in my earlier years, escapism in the form of drug taking/reckless behaviour).
Talking to my counsellor now I feel I have re triggered post traumatic stress disorder which is causing my current head aches, insomnia, nausea, flashbacks/nightmares and general anxiety/unease. She thinks that although counselling (talking therapy with a youth counsellor) helped me at the time, I probably need a qualified trauma counsellor to help me deal with the trauma itself at this point.
I have joined this group because I am feeling pretty awful, overwhelmed and scared to go through it all again. Not sure what it is I am looking for, but reassurance might be a good start!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
