Hey There... Sexual Assault & Suicide

[looking up]

Hi all,

Glad I found this forum; I've been looking for something like this for a while. I now in remission from PTSD so I guess I wanted to post on here to say that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and to swap experiences with others.

My story is that just over 2 1/2 years ago my ex husband sexually assaulted me and then suicided in front of me. What with the gun and knives and thinking I was going to die and all, it was pretty traumatic (minimising and intellectualising were apparently my coping strategies :D).

I spent about 6 months in a dissociated state and had flashbacks etc. it's taken lots of mental energy and a great psychologist but I'm now feeling almost normal... well whatever that is :D

I think seeing a psychologist so early after the trauma made a huge difference, and finding someone who specialises in PTSD. I saw a couple of other psychologists before him and they really didn't know what to do with me.

Anyway, happy to hear from others on here if you want to exchange experiences or recipes that include chocolate?

 

[popeye]

did someone say chocolate????

 

[looking up]

LOL... it should be available by prescription. It has MANY therapeutic benefits, some of which I am sure have yet to be discovered!

 

[amethist]

Hi looking up

Welcome to the forum.

As you have already found a place with a sense of humour as well as PTSD support.

They do say looking up, that if you have 5 squares of dark chocolate every day for 10 days it can help lift some depression, not medically proved as such, but hey I'll go with that one.

Take care and good luck.

Amethist

 

[ofsouthernwaters]

Hersheys Bliss . . . Milk Chocolate "with a raspberry meltaway center". Much cheaper than therapy. That or those Lindors chocolate balls. I like the white chocolate ones best with the blue wrapper.

Besides all that welcome. I have been a witness to a fatal gun shot for the person who was killed, and then her estranged husband who killed himself. I think you are extremely lucky to have sought help immediatly and had the perseverance to find a provider who was able to help when the first ones didn't. When it is hard to get up outta bed and shower, to have the strength to seek the RIGHT help . . . you are good and strong.

Take care of YOU!

 

[Iam]

Hey there Looking up ;o) What an horrific experience you went thru. You are obvioulsy very strong and yes you were very lucky (and wise) to get into therapy right away. I am so happy for you that your PTSD is in remission. It is encouraging to hear that it can be done ;o) Welcome to the forum!

 

[looking up]

Ofsouthernwaters - I have to agree on the Lindor balls.... far out, they are fantastic!!!
And thanks to you and Iam for your replies. I guess part of my reason for joining was to say 'remission is possible' (without wanting to sound patronising or evangelical in any way :) )

I was also carrying a lot of pain and hurt from some childhood sexual abuse which I was able to deal with in therapy. I came to realise that part of the reason I was married to this guy was that I had been a victim and so had some unhealthy relationship patterns set up early in my life. Once I got through all of that (and there were lots of Aha moments) I was able to break some of those patterns. I've since re-partnered and have a great relationship. I think without all the work in therapy I would have continued to make similar decisions and continued to be a victim.

I guess my point here is that for me at least, dealing with the ptsd gave me an opportunity to work through lots of other stuff. It's hard as hell to do it at the time, and I'm a work in progress, but hey, it's a journey. Sharing thoughts on here is part of the healing.

 

[betterdaysahead]

Hello Looking Up,

My heart goes out to you. This is something I wished I could say didnt happen to me. Indeed it did. I know how you felt cause I felt the same.

I am also new to the forum but have meet some really great people on here that are going thur the same. You will soon find this forum to be like a family member. The support from someone who knows what you are facing helps more than I ever realized.

Welcome to the forum,
Tonya

 

[looking up]

Thanks for the warm welcome Tonya! I know what you are saying about the support on here from people who have been there. All the best for your journey!
cheers,
Looking Up :D

 

[Jawn]

My mother-in-law has a t-shirt that says "Back away from the chocolate and no one will get hurt!" ;-)

Welcome to the forum.

Jawn

 

[bluecat]

They better have chocolate in heaven, or its not worth it : ) Welcome to the forum Looking Up!

Bluecat

 

[looking up]

I need a t-shirt like that!!! And an apron... and maybe I could get caps printed too. The possibilities are endless really... :)