Ptsd is a bitch

[Hopeandharm12]

So in may I was raped. I’m just gonna put it out there. I finally built the strength to tell the police and my parents etc, and now we have a court date. The court date is slowly approaching and I’m getting super nervous. The worst part is my PTSD is kicking my ass, flashbacks constantly, nightmares (even tho I’m on meds for these), overwhelming emotion and some other things. Any tips?

[hypercat54]

Counselling should help you. Try and get some arranged urgently. I am so sorry to hear you were raped and I am not surprised you are suffering like this. Remember rape is never your fault. It is ALWAYS the fault of the attacker.

Meantime why not contact your local rape crisis centre. I was raped back in the 80's and found them excellent.

If I can help please pm me. x

[HearYou in reply to hypercat54]

Hello....does anyone know how she is now?????

[HearYou in reply to hypercat54]

Hi, did you ever hear from her? I am so sorry you had this happen to you and so hopeful that you are there.

[Hidden]

This is not something you asked for! It's happened to me more than once. Men like that are pure evil !

[Ollie33]

So sorry Brooke no one deserves that . Thinking of you . Sending hugs 💕

[HearYou]

There are no tips for something like the hearing you're going to. Is it the first appearance or the trial date? When I was involved in a rape crisis center, we called every single woman or man we knew who could come and sit right behind the woman who had been assaulted. Very few people will ever come to support the man, unless there is something very newsworthy.

Talk to your MD about what is happening with your stress and nightmares NOW. Two 5 mg tablets I take at night that works well for my nightmares, but I was on it a few weeks before it helped. But it did help.

Having people supporting by just being there in court will help you a great deal. The suggestion to contact the rape crisis organization in your area is a good idea; they may have a group of volunteers to come and just be there for you. My best wishes; you have shown strength in doing this. Remember, no matter how rough you are feeling inside, the court and the prosecutors would not have come this far if they didn't support you. also, a hidden hint:

The color red is a power color. Wear as much of it you can "all under", even though you will be dressed more conservatively on the outside. It helps that you know you are wearing red. And make a little badge that you can pin under your clothes on your sleeve or undergarment that says "ME TOO!". The court may not allow you to wear it on the outside because it may be considered "prejudicial".

Give us the date of the court hearing and I definitely will be wearing red for you that day, and I believe some others of this venue will be too with our paper badges of "ME TOO" on the outside of our red clothes. Don't be afraid. Be an Amazon. xx

[HearYou]

Anchors of courage? Where? I need one sometimes........ Thank you for all of us. And RED works. Never went to trial or court without RED ALL UNDER. It's our secret weapon.

[angelonfire]

i was raped many times in my life, and never had the courage to prosecute any of my abusers, so i commend you for that. i too suffer from ptsd, my symptoms were very escalated when i first opened up for the first time about my sexual abuse, i would suggest therapy, it will take time, but the symptoms WILL fade. keep being strong, you are a beautiful soul.

[Keeesh]

I was kidnapped and raped when I was 9 year's old. It changed me for ever. I was 31when I realized I never left the garage were he took me. I struggled with it over and over again. I want to get out the garage. I'm 45 going on 46 next month. I just want to get out and be free again on the inside. 😥

[HearYou in reply to Keeesh]

How are you doing?

[6ixtyon1]

Believe me, you are doing everything right--these people need to stop tearing hunks out of other peoples' lives! I have 3 friends going through what you are going through, right now, and believe me, they truly wish they'd done what you are preparing to do...wear your red badge of "me too!" underneath, as your armor...we are all behind you! See your physician/counselor(s) and let them know how you are feeling--keep us posted, because we do care!

[Hidden]

A technique my counselor taught me is to ground myself in the present moment. I tell myself something about the present like this, “it’s wednesday night. It’s summer. I hear crickets. I’m excited for the long weekend and am going to have gyros.”

It sounds lame but it really works when I start having flashbacks or experience a trigger. It might be a good technique for you to practice in court, as that will be a difficult day.

[someshine]

Hi it happened to me too many times thru out my life but the love of my family friends built me back up😀 rape crisis is a powerful too it gives you a voice. I was so determined to get my life back like two fingers up to my attackers that I decided that with counseling love of my family friends and patience that I would overcome be like before but armed with pepper spray this time, girl, life's too short to let a man hold you back I wish you well in your recovery x

[HearYou]

Brookie1221, so what happened at court? How are you now? Please let us know.

[HearYou]

Brookie1221, how are you now? Please let us know.

[Hopeandharm12]

I’m gonna start posting in here daily so others can relate to my struggles because today I realized I deserve support too. I had a rough day and a rough court desicion. I am planning to make a post catching everyone up on my life