Any Advice??

Hey....

I have been having a rough week this week because my grandfather is haunting me. Everytime I get in the shower, I feel like Im reliving the past because I see him in the shower with me and I feel him touching me. I know this sounds bad and I feel wierd writing this because I don't talk about it. Last night I had to sleep on my floor and my room mate thought I was crazy but I had flashbacks of when he was in the bed with me and it was all so real. Ive been having trouble getting myself out of the flashbacks on my own. Last night, I ended up cutting myself and Im starting to scare myself. Please write back if you have any tips...

Healing Angel,

Yes trauma can cause PTSD, and it sounds like you with having flashbacks, and such are having quite a go of it. I can understand you not wanting to talk about it.

Maybe you can write a letter to him, and then tear it up and throw it a way.

If you have access to medical services or mental health help, you might try using it.

Even if you dont, try writing the letter it can be very freeing.
I have PTSD too, from the same kind of trauma, I will say it can be managed so it is not out of control. If you want to ask anymore questions post here or pm me or one of the mods listed.


Good luck to you Healing Angel,
red

Are you in therapy healing angel?

I think it is so important to talk about what happened to you, also talking to someone will give you tecnqiues to ground yourself during flashbacks.

I used to know someone who could not have a shower without getting a flashback, she rarely showered because of it, her hubby had to be in the bathroom with her.

I think it's important to ground yourself, let yourself know that he cannot hurt you anymore, that he isn't there, that you are safe. It's so important to remind yourself of that.

Hang in there hun, I know how hard it is to deal with this stuff, keep you chin up.

There are some great grounding tecniques on healing wounds, and other great things people have posted in terms of dealing with flashbacks, perhaps it could help you?

Let me know and I'll send you the link.

Stay safe.

Hi Healing Angel!
It`s really good that you are looking for help, this is the first step in recovery. It`s not easy to deal with flashbacks, anxiety attacks etc. but keep trying untill you find things that help you. First of all, I suggest that you find a therapist that you can trust. A woman would be better in your case as it may cause less trigers to past events. You could also try medication, think about it with a psychiatrist. In most cases it is very helpfull.
Also, I know that here in Israel there are courses called Impact for self defence for women against rapists. Try and search the internet for similar courses in your area. I know that here many women who have been raped take it and say it helps. They work on defending themselves psychologically and phisycally. I suffer from PTSD from a different reason, but I know that the Karate classes I started attending are very helpfull. They helped me a lot with my nightmares: instead of dreaming of me running away endlessly from people who try to kill me, I now dream that I attack them back and kill them and then I sleep well through the rest of the night. Also, when I feel anxiety atacks I sometimes practice Karate- sometimes it helps me feel more powerfull and empowered.
Another suggestion is, talk to your room mate about it.I live with a room mate. I explained to her about my difficulties, and she is helpful.
My faith in God also helps me. I know that no matter how people are, He`s always listening to me. And maybe sometimes God wants me to pass through difficult things, so that I will build myself as a better and more caring human being and maybe reach or achieve things that I might not have been able to otherwise.
I hope it is helpfull. Anyway, keep posting and I`ll be happy to keep in touch with you through this forum. Keep on trying to heal yourself and may God bless you with good emotional health, and courage to face your dificulties and overcome them.
- happyface

Sorry I haven't been here to the library in like FOREVER. The doctor put me on Outing Restrictions because of my flashbacks. I am doing better now though. Well...with the flashbacks anyways. Last night my mom, aunt, two year old cousin, and my step dad took me to the movies. I fell asleep and my step dad did things to me and I did things to him. I didn't know what to do. I felt so helpless. I took what's called a Theraputic day off from school today and I slept my day away. I don't know why this keeps happening from me but im not going on pass with my family again! I am in theraputic group home for those of you that didn't know so I have a support system because I have some staff that I feel I can talk to. Thank you all for your help. Oh, and they put me on a pill for helping me to cope with things. I am now taking 300mg of Serequil or however you spell it. It's been a better week so far. Thanks again for all of your help.

I think you should go to a professional about it.