Newbie Here: Teenage Daughter Diagnosed With PTSD

[ggal]

Hi everybody.

I am brand-spankin' new. I have only read the rules thus far--that's how new I am.

A little about me: I'm 37 and have been with my DH for 9 years. We have had custody of his two children since 2005. I am very fortunate in that I am not seen as a "stepmom" but rather another "real" mom. These children are as much mine as I would imagine my own, if I had had any, to be. I was once an east coast girl, but now reside deep in the heart of .... I would consider myself educated, as I have attained my Master's degree 4 years ago. And I am, fortunately, gainfully employed.

A little about our situation: My 15 year old stepdaughter has currently been diagnosed with PTSD. We believe she was raped repeatedly over a course of months while living with her then crack-addicted mother around age 8. We have had full custody of her and her younger brother since she was 9. We have just found this information out around October '09. Her father found this site this week and I have signed up to learn what I can to both help her and help us make it through this on a day-to-day basis.

This has been a most stressful time. We have had her in therapy since October of last year, but just this summer, she has started exhibiting hallucinations that she is deeming real--in particular, a rape while we were on vacation, that none of us can substantiate. We are scared and confused to say the least not to mention the broad spectrum of emotions she is feeling.

We have found a therapist who specializes in PTSD and a psychiatrist who is working on getting a medical plan for her. Her father is following the medicines carefully as ADHD, Bi-Polar, Depression, etc. is present in his immediate family. We are also currently looking into an IOP for her as she was discharged from an inpatient b/c she "was not an immediate harm to herself or others".

I am terribly afraid for her well-being and our relationships--both as a family and as a loving couple. I hope to find some answers here and/or some direction. Some words of comfort, also would help. We have been in a topsy-turvy world for the past month and we are emotionally drained and tested daily. We smart at one another because we are completely wiped out. It is an effort to wake everyday. And I spend many an hour crying.

At any rate, thank you for being here. I'm ready to learn more.

 

[onlybygrace]

Welcome and you will find support here. It sounds like you have a plan of action and you are doing all the right things. Take a day at a time and remember to breathe.....this will be a traumatic time for you and your family. I remember my 15th year as being so traumatic but I managed to keep my abuse shoved deep down and it wasn't until my 20's that I finally started to deal with it. I almost destroyed myself while dealing with it, it is very traumatic and I had no help then but I do now. Your step-daughter is so fortunate to have you and your husband to help her through it. God bless and welcome.

 

[ggal]

Thank you, onlybygrace.

 

[catjudo]

ggal--I don't really have any advice, you sound like your family already has a pretty good plan in place. I just wanted to welcome you to the forum, but also thank you for being so supportive and understanding of your daughter's situation and doing everything you can to help her through this difficult time. It can be very difficult and straining on a family and I'm sure you'll find much needed support here on the forum.

 

[Abeille]

I think you are doing a great job in your attempts to help her! She is lucky to have people who care so much about her. Like I said, you seem to be doing a great job... until things are cleared up, you just need to make sure she is comforable and knows you love her and that you will do your best to never let her get hurt like that again. Thank you for everything you are doing for her! Good luck!