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Sufferer I Hate The Word 'traumaversary'

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phoenix712

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...but that's currently what I'm dealing with.

From the middle of September until last week I felt like I was actually doing consistently well for the first time in a long time. My symptoms weren't that bad, I gave up caffeine, I didn't drink too much, I made it to work every day, I didn't bail on plans, I actually ate 3 meals a day on a consistent basis, started to actually look at new jobs to get out of my current dead-end job, I joined the gym...I was feeling pretty well.

And now I'm not.

I know it's probably always going to be two steps forward - one step back. But I'm just really beat down at the moment.

Years ago on November 15th I was sexually assaulted. Guns, threats, all that jazz. It was a very complex situation and because of that I didn't handle it the "correct" way. And for years after on the beginning of every April I would receive threatening/reminding letters from him. He knows who I am. I don't know who he is. Fortunately I haven't heard from him in a few years - but I sometimes feel like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop, and that I'll hear from him again and that'll be the final straw. That is my major trauma - on top of just other more minor bullshit.

I was an anxious/depressed mess for years (still kind of am) - but have, within the past couple years, actually been doing some work on trying to heal. I have some great friends in my life who are supportive, even when I'm a twitchy mess who can't get sentences out that make sense enough to talk about. I'd absolutely be lost without that.

But right now I feel so alone and so low.

My roommate is one of my best friends and has been nothing but supportive - even though I only broke the news of my diagnosis to her a few months ago. She has known me for years, so has been through a lot of the ups and downs with me and I think kind of assumed the diagnosis before I told her. She's been great - although she's only human and not a pro on PTSD, so I think it would be fair if she was frustrated/upset by some of my bad days/symptoms - which I feel awful about. I definitely struggle with wanting to talk/vent without seeming like a burden or bringing this dark cloud down on our apartment - but that type of communication is not something I'm good at.

Regardless of that, I told her the 15th was a tough day and she offered to help keep me entertained. We did some things around the city and met up with some friends. I was was ok, but definitely extra fidgety. When the night became too much I left and went to see another good friend. I was twitchy, but forgave myself for that and was doing ok. Sunday was a bit of the same - happy to be with friends, but still very on edge and thinking too much. Then later Sunday night the depression swung in for a visit. I made it through half of work on Monday and then came home, made a pillow fort, and curled up for the rest of the day. Tuesday I was angry. I was angry and full of a weird energy - but it was better than the dark cloud I felt in my chest and the lack of control of my tear ducts. But last night that started to turn into a depression again.

And now today - today I wanted to stay in bed for ever. But I eventually dragged myself out and to work, and have plans to try to go to the gym after. But I feel super low today, regardless of trying to push myself to do 'normal' things. Like...I'm just going through the motions of making 'good decisions' - but it doesn't even matter...cause I feel really rotten inside.

Twitchy and angry seem much more manageable than this soul crushing feeling I'm currently having. And it just makes me feel so alone.

I don't even really know why I wrote all this. I think I just needed to spew a bit...and maybe not feel as alone and crushed by this....
 
Welcome to the forum. It's not easy to confront this diagnosis, and you are. I hope you can give yourself credit for your courage.

Keep reading, sharing, and practice being kind to yourself.
 
i think the fact you can get on your feet and push yourself is a major step in itself and speaks clearly to your character, you are strong to be able to do this , and that in itself is something to be proud of. Your also display very good insight and management. Be kind to yourself , ok have a bad day , allow yourself that , dont hold back , just let it be that day - but even before you start remember to tell yourself your allowing yourself one bad day - tommorow you will get up regardless find one good reason to start the day and go -
 
Hey Phoenix -

Glad you shared this tough time with us.

If you can make it through it gives courage to people like me who are going through a tough time to keep going too and makes me realize I am not alone in my troubles.

I hope you keep finding the wisdom and courage to keep on going when you'd rather just quit.

Thanks - Laurie
 
I agree.

I dreaded mine for years. It incapacitated me for years.

Finally, 2 years ago it occurred to me, I don't have a trauma anniversary, I have a life anniversary. It's the day I got my life back, and another chance at life. Every year I celebrate a birthday, and a life anniversary. I just turned 45 here two months ago, and in a couple of months I will celebrate my 29th life anniversary. I died during my 16th year of life, but my life was given back to me on that day, and I no longer cower at the date of that anniversary.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I forced myself to truck through it all and am feeling a bit better today. I like the idea of a life anniversary - i'm hoping some day I get to the point where I'm viewing it that way.
Thanks, all, for the support.
 
@phoenix712

I hope that writing it out is helpful, and you really are doing a great job of managing. This site has a lot of information that you may find helpful when symptoms get worse and the support here is really beneficial. I hope you find this helpful to your healing.
 
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