Sufferer So glad to have found this site - sexual assault - can anyone help?

[Jacey_344]

so around six months ago i was sexually assaulted and they got away with it and i hardly left the house for months and i disconnected from a lot of people around me. i've only just started to get my life back again but its around six months since it's happened and it's all i can think about all day and all night... i'm literally waking up screaming of nightmares/ flashbacks and im starting to push people away again.
i'm so scared all the time and i'm just running on little to no sleep whilst trying to stop myself from bursting into tears all day.
does anyone have any advice on how i can move past this, or maybe feel better or to even get a full night's sleep?

 

[Daneer]

It’s going to suck for a long time. It might seem like you will never get better, but you will. Healing and coping is different for everyone. Surround yourself with people you know and love, and if your brain tells you to be on alert and that it isn’t safe, just realize it’s a symptom, not reality, and go from there to find what helps you chill out, and feel loved, and feel accepted.
I am sure other sufferers will give you more. But I know in your situation it’s hard to feel loved and hard to feel significant- but that feeling is a lier. Let others help you.

 

[EveHarrington]

I think it would be a good idea to seek out professional help at this point.

Welcome! :hug:

 

[ladee]

Welcome ! Hope you have some professional help also to help guide you to healing. Have you been diagnosed with PTSD? That helps too in finding the right therapist.
Of course you are welcome here and we will try to help with the things you asked about.

What are some things you have tried for better rest? That will keep us from repeating what you already do or already know.

Glad you are here, and sorry the SOB got away with it...

 

[Jacey_344]

I’ve had two different counsellors in five months, I’ve tried putting lavender on my pillow, sleeping pills, hot showers before bed etc. I’ve trued practically everything but I can’t seem to shake the nightmares

It’s going to suck for a long time. It might seem like you will never get better, but you will. Healing and coping i...

Thank you for your kind words.

 

[ladee]

Unfortunately , the nightmares may be around for a long while. It's things surfacing that will have to be looked at, with help, picked apart, and some healing to begin. So many of us here have nightmares.. I haven't in a long while, but have started having 'weird' dreams that I don't totally remember, but leave me feeling unsettled. Just something surfacing.

Hope you find someone to be able to talk things thru with... it really does help us to know there is a time we get to just go unload and have someone help us understand what is going on...

You are reaching out, that takes courage. You want things to settle down, that shows a want and need to heal... just glad you are here...

You might try reading threads about nightmares and the answers and suggestions that were given... it will at least validate what you are experiencing and you may even find some things that help you... gentle hugs if you accept.

 

[Jacey_344]

Thank you so much for your advice, it means a lot to know that there are other people understand what I’m going thru x

 

[LuckiLee]

Welcome. Glad you found us! The PTSD stress cup will explain some things for you. Best wishes on your journey!

 

[Swift]

Welcome.
I'm sorry for what you've been through and what you're still going through.
A lot of abusers/assaulters/rapists do 'get away' with what they've done. It doesn't mean you didn't do the right things. It just means there's no justice.
Have you got a good GP? Mine was, and still is, probably the most useful person on my health team. It took me a while to find her, but she's fantastic. Medication might also be an option for you. It's certainly helped me with the screaming nightmares/flashbacks,,just handling the physical side of the PTSD. Prazosin was my miracle for that, but I'm hesitant to preach about a particular med.
Also, writing a trauma diary on this site helps me cope too.

 

[Jacey_344]

Welcome.
I'm sorry for what you've been through and what you're still going through.
A lot of abusers/a...

I’ll soeak to my doctor and try to get some medication... thank you for your advice.