Sufferer Hi...i'm New...don't Really Know How This Works...

[Jessica Marie]

Hi, everyone...
I'm Jessica...I'm 21.. turning 22 on 11/15 (happy almost birthday to me lol). I recently got married (May 28, 2016) to the man of my dreams. I'm a college student studying psychology...irony I know. I live on the coast/beach in NC and have my whole life. Have 4 pets.... Lila whose 3 and she's a black lab, Bella who just turned 1 whose a yellow lab, Leo is a gray tabby whose 2, and Asher whose a black tabby whose only 12 weeks.

I don't really know where to begin with my PTSD and anxiety...it all started back when I was a young kid and progressed with more and more trauma until I was about 18-19. Then when I was about 20... I kind of hit me all at once... like Whooooaaaa, Jessica. You need help.

Sorry... I know I was pretty brief about my issues.. I've never reached out to an online community before for support so I'm a bit.. okay A LOT nervous.

Some encouragement and support would mean so so so much to me.. I feel like no one in my life understands the daily struggles I have.. which I'm sure a lot of us feel that way.

 

[EveHarrington]

Welcome! :-)

 

[Jessica Marie]

Welcome! :)

Thank you!

 

[Snowflake]

Hi, everyone...
I'm Jessica...I'm 21.. turning 22 on 11/15 (happy almost birthday to me lol). I r...

Welcome Jessica! My daughters name is Jessica too-she's 22 and also a college student. :) Anyhow-do you have a therapist? I think that would help. This forum is amazing and very supportive so share what you are comfortable with or vent. Everyone is here to help and listen to one another.

Congrats on your marriage!

 

[Joan]

Welcome to the forum. Take your time and look around. Jump in when you feel comfortable. I hope that you find the support and encouragement you want here.

 

[Jessica Marie]

Welcome Jessica! My daughters name is Jessica too-she's 22 and also a college student. :) Anyhow-do...

Oh, wow! How ironic! Yes, I see a therapist once a week. I see a psychiatrist as well about every two months unless I need to see her sooner for whatever reason.
Thank you for the welcome! My therapist and mom suggested I look into an online support group...I have trouble talking in person about my trauma.
Thank you as well for the congratulations on my marriage... I can't believe it will be 6 months already in November!

 

[Jessica Marie]

Welcome to the forum. Take your time and look around. Jump in when you feel comfortable. I hope that yo...

Thank you so much.

I appreciate all the support that came so quickly! I didn't expect it.

 

[MatthewMorris]

Hi Jessica. Hello I'm new on here too and like you not used to any kind of online thread but looking for any reassurance I guess. Well done for doing this and taking this step, how do you find your anxieties play out in daily life? I hope you don't mind me asking...

Take care

Matt

 

[Jessica Marie]

Hi, Matt. No, I don't mind you asking at all. My anxiety and triggers can hold me back from certain things... if I'm having a really rough day and say I had plans with a friend or family member I may cancel. Mainly because I feel safest at home with my pets (and of course if my husband happens to be home). I am in college though..which is a MAJOR struggle for me, but I'm doing my best to get through it. Because I know the outcome will be so worth it.
On a day to day basis...essential oils help (like lavender in a diffuser), my anxiety meds, adult coloring books, pets REALLY help, going for short walks during the day in my neighborhood...and on really bad days... DISTRACTION I will clean like I mad woman or go run a ton of errands that I've put off for a while. I also get massages about once sometimes twice a month with a lady who uses essentials oils... it helps my back issues and my anxiety.
Really just have to try things until you find something that works.... it took me a long while...but now I have come up with some things that help me. Hope this helps.