Sufferer Hi - Ptsd From An Abusive Relationship

[mandymxic]

Hi everyone: I have been diagnosed with PTSD for a while (due to a relationship with an abusive sociopath). I drink to cope with it which is making matters worse. I am not sure if I'll ever be back to my normal self again. I hope this helps.

 

[LostWorld]

Welcome to the board :)

 

[nomedic1]

Welcome

 

[Flyaway]

Hi :) welcome!

I don't think any of us will be back to our normal selves... But I'm a believer that we can be better, stronger people for the BS we've been through.

 

[franciemarnie]

Welcome! I once drank to feel good cause otherwise I felt awful. But I found it exacerbated PTSD symptoms - mostly the morning after, which lasted 24 hours. It was absolute torture. Talk about fight or flight symptoms. Yikes. I understand the need. I hope you find healthier ways of coping that don't damage you because you deserve to feel good. I find lots of great ideas and support here. Hope you do too.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Hi Mandy,

January 7th will mark my 3 year anniversary free of the sociopath I was with for almost 3 years. I can't say with having PTSD that I feel totally like my normal self again, but it is a gazillion times better than when I was with him and a million times better since leaving. I'm stronger and wiser because of it. I hope you know that No Contact is the only way to begin to heal from such people.

I know your pain...intimately. I am sure you and I could share some stories. I know how it feels to have your entire world shattered and have your personality changed by such an experience. Talk to me any time.

I, too, drank to cope while I was with him and I popped pills just to stay sane. I am not an addict but I did have to find healthier ways of coping. You will too.

Do you have a trauma therapist?

 

[mandymxic]

Thanks for the encouraging posts. I have gone to therapy for years but I haven't been for a while. Sorry to hear you were with a sociopath too, Stronger Now. One can really destroy your life. I wasn't able to complete an RN degree b/c of mine (alienating my children from me) and now my chance of having a career is ruined. It is hard to recover from that.

 

[intothelight]

Hi Mandy,

Welcome to MyPTSD forum! :)

Be proud of yourself for getting out of an abusive relationship, and even though you feel that you are struggling with being your "normal" self, with therapy and hard work, you may even like the person you become better. The most important thing you can do for yourself right now is focus on recovery, and I hope that you find the information and support on this site helpful.

There is also a related site you may find helpful: MyDomesticViolence.com.

Take care.

Debbie

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

I just wanted to let you know how much I understand the feeling of your future becoming bleak because of the Sociopath. Mine was a modeling career. I got let to from a couple of agencies because of the chaos and word gets around!

Since leaving, I went to school and got a Cosmetology license. I white knuckled it because I was terrified of everything but I did it. It isn't what I ended up really wanting to do but at least I started somewhere.

One of the most important things is establishing a good support system. Let people fill you and serve you. It is a challenge but it will help.

Did you see a therapist who specializes in trauma? CBT has been proven to be the most effective for PTSD from my understanding. It can help you get your life back.

Oh my gosh. I couldn't imagine having kids with the sociopath. That must be soooo difficult for you and I'm so sorry. I know a woman who was married 20 something years to a Sociopath with 2 kids. If you want me to connect you, let me know. She has been wonderful in supporting me through the stages of my recovery.

 

[Nin]

Hi Mandy. I'm new here as well and my PTSD is also due to a previous relationship. After a decade of abuse and two children, I finally left. My physical life is better now (home, job, and a great new husband) but I'm far from my "normal" self. Hopefully we'll all be there (or even better) someday. It's so nice to meet you :)

 

[Abstract]

Hi Mandy,
Welcome here. There is much information here and support. I think a lot of us have self medicated or used damaging ways of coping in one way or the other.