Sufferer New And Looking For Help In Toronto

[hope for now]

Hi everyone, I have been reading the board for a few months and have found this to be a very helpful and suppportive community of people with similar experiences to mine. So I thought it was about time to introduce myself and become more engaged. I have been struggling with PTSD symptoms and depression since I was violently attacked and gang raped while working in Central America 10 years ago - coming up on the anniversary this year. I am a Canada based humanitarian worker and have spent the past 10 years working in hostile environments, which has added to my traumatic experience and PTSD issues, through my own experiences, vicarious trauma and burnout.

In March of this year, I was leading a trip in a South America, when our group was attacked and robbed at knife point. The experience had some parallels to my original trauma, and triggered a "relapse" of my PTSD symptoms. I was formally diagnosed a few months after that, and have been on a journey of acceptance, self understanding and recovery since then. I have been working with a social worker on basic safety and coping skills; and was prescribed medication a few months ago when my anxiety/panic became too much to handle on my own. I have also had to look critically at stressors in my life and make some changes to my living and work situation. think I may now be in a place where I can start to work on the trauma itself - but I have no idea where to start or what that entails. Does anyone have any advice or resources to share? Is anyone aware of good trauma therapists and/or support groups in the Toronto area?

 

[ashdawn8287]

Welcome. Take your time learning about PTSD and take care of yourself.

I am SO sorry that happened to you.

I wish you luck on your healing journey!

I do CBT therapy, EMDR therapy, I have a WONDERFUL psychiatrist, and group therapy. It has helped me TREMENDOUSLY!

I took a holistic approach in healing. I do everything. From yoga to psychiatry.

 

[just keep swimming]

Hello, I'm in England however, I would like to say WELL DONE for putting your voice on here. I'm no therapist by any means and very new to this site. I am a male survivor of rape. My PTSD therapy is coming up in about a month. I have spent 8 years in therapy already. Not for PTSD. You sound like you don't have many people to speak to about this and yes finding a good therapist is the way.

My thoughts are that I remember how much courage it took to find myself in your place of wanting to face the trauma, you are indeed very brave. I remember it being more trauma just getting ready to face the trauma. Good work for trying to de-stress your environment as much as you can. It doesn't mean you need to hide away until your sorted as that's what I once did. I don't doubt you already have many coping skills, reading your words helps me look at myself and what's ahead with more confidence so i had to write something back if only to say THANK YOU for your post.

Once in therapy (with a good one) it won't directly take you anywhere your not ready to go. You do and say things when your ready to. At your pace. I will be saying to my new PTSD helper that i want to talk first about the end of the session. May sound strange however, im concerned about how i will feel once i leave the session and how that may affect me. This is a way I've thought of to try and make myself more comfortable in starting the session.

Do bear in mind I was once a complete drug addict, im only sharing myself here, if it helps in anyway that's great.

You have my respect and feel free to ask me anything or nothing. I'm just a survivor and no therapist. Its hard enough with what we need to do. Thank you for making me stronger.

Regards, a survivor wanting to thrive. Its possible and I believe that.

 

[franciemarnie]

Welcome to the forum! I'm from Chicago so I don't have therapists to recommend, but I hope you can find one specializing in trauma.

I've learned so much here and there is great support too. I myself like Somatic Therapy - releasing the trauma left in the body.

Hope to see you around!

 

[LisawithPTSD]

Strange how telling people you have PTSD is like 'coming out.'

Definitely work to find a therapist who understands trauma and you are comfortable with. This may take a couple of rounds. As AshDawn said, learn about PTSD. This site has helped me grasp my symptoms even more. I went to Intensive Trauma Therapy in Morganotwn WV USA and they really helped me to learn to ground myself, identify triggers, develop a path to healing. They pointed me to a book called The PTSD SourceBook which helped me to understand what was going on.

I suffer from depression so it was important for me to set up a support group of friends and family to help me through the rough times. I gave them permission to discuss my situation with each other. They know when I call and say 'I need help' that I'm in a bad way. That the pain is too great and I might end it. Ironically, I started this in part to educate them so them so they would know that, if I offed myself, that I was truly in a lot of emotional pain. But it has become a good safety net to pull me out of my despair and to be support when we're out and I have an episode.

Consider seeing a physician who specializes in endocrinology or osteopathy. I say this because the stress hormones reek havoc on your body. I'm now on Adrenal Fatigue medicine (in addition to other things) and Progesterone in order to help my body heal. Many traditionally trained medical doctors don't research these issues well which is why I suggested those specific fields.

 

[intothelight]

Hi hope for now,

Welcome to my PTSD forum! :)

There is a section in the forum, Recommend A Trauma Therapist, that may have some information for you. Also, the more you learn about this disorder, the better informed you will be when selecting a therapist.

There is a sister forum you may find of benefit: MySexAbuse.com. I hope that you find the information and support here helpful to your healing.

Take care.

Debbie

 

[hope for now]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to welcome me to the board, share some great resources, and share a bit about what has helped with your recovery. It gives me a few things to try and look into. Lisa, it's so true about "coming out." It took a lot of courage for me to post here. Most of my friends do not know about my history. None of my coworkers are aware, which is challenging because I am exposed to triggers on a daily basis through my work. I am trying to work up the nerve to share more of myself with my closest friends. It's pretty scary! In some ways I love the idea of sharing my whole self with my friends and family and giving them permission to discuss my situation, but it's also terrifying. I'm even afraid to share myself in support group contexts. Although in some ways its easier to share with strangers than with people who are close to me. I guess I will keep working on this!

 

[KP the nut]

Hi Hope and welcome.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Welcome to the forum. :)