Sufferer Shooting ptsd and college student

[Olivia_22]

Hey everyone,
Really looking for someone who can relate to me and also looking forward to reading helpful threads and posts about PTSD. I was at a concert back in October when a mass shooting took place and I had to run for my life, luckily I made it out with only bruises but obviously I'm affected in other ways. So not only did I experience this trauma but I had also just transferred to a college 350 miles from home. I just wondered if anyone else could relate to the PTSD from a shooting and going to college. I know my situation is somewhat unique because I'm also a transfer student so I had to establish myself in a brand new place but my school seems to suck at giving me information I need and I would love to find someone who can really understand how hard it is in a college environment. However, I look forward to advice and relating to anyone on here, I'm just excited to have found this community.

Thank you!
Olivia

 

[ladee]

Welcome @Olivia_22 , and we are excited you found this community too. The shooting by itself is traumatic, much less all the life changes. So am glad you are here. Many young people in college here, so hopefully they will be able to give you some suggestions than can help you adjust.
This is a wonderful supportive place to be. And to be heard. Glad you are here... Glad you made it out alive, and can not imagine the things you will never un-see. Proud of you for reaching out..

 

[Olivia_22]

Welcome @Olivia_22 , and we are excited you found this community too. The shooting by...

Thank you so much! I appreciate it and yeah I'm trying to find other people who will get it so I'm happy to have come across this community! Thank you for the warm welcome :happy:

 

[blackemerald1]

Hello @Olivia_22 - welcome to the forums.

I am sure as @ladee said there will be heaps of ppl doing college here. Or who have done it.

I hope you can find the support here that you need.

 

[EveHarrington]

Welcome!

 

[littleoc]

Hello :)

I just graduated college! For me, a small university was best.

I am terrified of shootings occurring, though I’ve never been directly in one. I have lost two friends to a shooting, know one friend who had one happen outside his window in Vegas, and a man who was going to start a shooting on my campus walked up to me and pet my service dog, which somehow got him to reconsider and not hurt anyone. The other shooting on this campus was negligible, because he was chased off campus by the cops. Only man he got was a cop, who shot him back, and neither man died.

But anyway, I’m just trying to say that I understand. As much as I like people, I’m terrified of crowds and going to movie theaters, for that reason. I’m so sorry you went through this.

This site has helped me a ton, and it can help you too. I’ve even managed to run my own theater ;)

Sending you hugs and luck

 

[Olivia_22]

Thank you so much! That's a huge accomplishment, that's awesome. Yeah its hard to go to school because I feel that if it were to happen again it would be there not to mention the trigger noises that happen at random. People like to make comments and act surprised once they've realized I don't feel safe anywhere but I don't know why I would be expected to. Thank you for the welcome I'm happy to have come across this new community with friendly people who can relate :)

Welcome!

Thank you!

Hello @Olivia_22 - welcome to the forums.
I am sure as @ladee

Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to having like minded people to reach out to.

 

[Klove]

Hey everyone,
Really looking for someone who can relate to me and also looking forward to reading hel...

Hello I totally understand what you are going through. I was in school shooting in my younger days. I hate malls, movie theaters, crowded places and guns. It's been about 5 years and I'll never be totally okay. I think about this stuff a lot and it's hard because I live my life totally different. Your going to run into a lot of people that just don't understand and that's okay. Make sure to do what you are comfortable with don't push yourself into anything you are not ready for. Little by little it gets better. I still flinch when people drop loud objects or start screaming and yelling. But it doesn't send me into a panic attack like it used too. Traumatic experiences stick with you but they don't define you. You are not the shooting and will overcome the feeling.

 

[Olivia_22]

Hello I totally understand what you are going through. I was in school shooting in my younger days. I hat...

Yeah, I feel the same way. Thank you so much for reaching out I know it will probably not ever fully go away, but it's good to know it gets a little better.

 

[Klove]

Of course I'm always happy to share my experiences. It's hard but it has gotten better. Any real friends or family will respect that you have certain little quirks that set you off. Don't feel like that black sheep of the world because of your experience. Take life one day at a time.