Physical and Emotional Abuse ***Trigger Warnings***

Started by TooUnfazed, February 23, 2017, 12:41:35 AM

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TooUnfazed

I'm new to the forum and I'm glad I found it. At the age of 60, I'm still working through the pain of childhood trauma that caused what had been diagnosed as PTSD at one time. That diagnosis came 32 years ago when I responded "inappropriately" to the threat of domestic violence from my then husband. I'm not sure how a person with PTSD can respond inappropriately to abuse in the middle of a flashback, but there it was. 

I managed my life by controlling my contact with people and preventing the recurrence of any chance at a relationship. I raised my children and maintained a career before falling apart around the age of 55. At that point, I could no longer deal with the major depression and lack of focus and concentration I experienced. But therapists only wanted to focus on the depression and avoided the underlying issue of dealing with the trauma and PTSD. Their focus was strictly on cognitive behavioral therapy. Like goals and plans were the only way to get over my issues.

Today I discovered information about Complex PTSD and hope to take this information back to them, and then actually work dealing with what happened to me and my siblings while we were growing up. It wasn't pretty, but we were expected to pretend that it was normal. That there was nothing wrong with going to school with the marks of an electrical cord or wire coat hanger beating from the tops of our heads to the bottoms of our feet. That there was nothing unusual about being woken up regularly by our mother choking us awake and screaming obscenities in our faces. Behind backhanded out of the blue for her enjoyment. In my case, having my glasses taken away in a public place so I couldn't see, then being abandoned there. No wonder I tried to run away at the age of five. When I was ten I made it out of the state--briefly. In the 1960's nobody intervened. I thought all this was normal until she threw my brother's tiny toddler out of the back door, then threatened to kill my own children.

Finally, I had the conviction to leave her presence and never darken her door again. I divorced my mother. I should have done it when I was 16 but kept listening to my father defend her actions. In any case, I still cry over what might have been and what I lost. I really want to be able to stop crying before I die.

Three Roses

Welcome, TooUnfazed! I'm glad you going us too.

Up until 2012, I thought I was just codependent. I worked on me, keeping my side of the street clean, accepting things I could not change, yada yada. Then I was diagnosed with PTSD. Then, about mid-2016 I discovered this site and complex PTSD and everything started making sense.

I've had the greatest sense of validation from the people here, and a sense of finally, finally being heard and understood. It's my hope that you have the same experience here. :wave:

meursault

I felt pretty cheated by the mental health system for those things.  I gave up trying to get help for 15 years since all they offered was CBT and medication.  Had to track down private therapy to find anything good.

I can relate to staying due to the influence of your Dad.  In my case, I tried to look after my Dad since he didn't seem to understand my Mom, and I worried what would happen if I left. 

A little late to see this thread, but welcome!

Meursault