OakTree123
Learning
Hi everyone,
I'm a 20 (almost 21!) year old college student and I was very recently diagnosed with PTSD due to childhood abuse. This summer I decided to go no-contact with my abuser. This was a huge step for me, and I am very proud of myself, but it has come with its own set of challenges. I'm facing a lot of grief, many flashbacks, and a lot of anxiety, among other things. Unfortunately, the friends I have opened up to have not been supportive in the ways I need them to be. I understand that many of my friends cannot relate to what I have been through and that makes it difficult for them to know how to respond...however, this has left me feeling very isolated and sometimes invalidated and/or unwanted. I feel that the abuse I survived is part of me and my identity, even if I don't like it. It is a huge part of me and sometimes it can feel all-consuming. I suppose I am looking for other people who suffer from PTSD (particularly due to childhood abuse) who can relate to these feelings because too much of the time I find myself being completely overwhelmed and no where to turn.
I'm a 20 (almost 21!) year old college student and I was very recently diagnosed with PTSD due to childhood abuse. This summer I decided to go no-contact with my abuser. This was a huge step for me, and I am very proud of myself, but it has come with its own set of challenges. I'm facing a lot of grief, many flashbacks, and a lot of anxiety, among other things. Unfortunately, the friends I have opened up to have not been supportive in the ways I need them to be. I understand that many of my friends cannot relate to what I have been through and that makes it difficult for them to know how to respond...however, this has left me feeling very isolated and sometimes invalidated and/or unwanted. I feel that the abuse I survived is part of me and my identity, even if I don't like it. It is a huge part of me and sometimes it can feel all-consuming. I suppose I am looking for other people who suffer from PTSD (particularly due to childhood abuse) who can relate to these feelings because too much of the time I find myself being completely overwhelmed and no where to turn.