New here...

[Don_Ontario]

Diagnosed with PTSD two years ago. Did a in-house program at my local hospital which gave me some tools to work with. Wanted to continue with the next program, but moved away as I started a new job in another city. Have been here 3 months and still getting settled in. Thankfully, the new job has little stress compared to the old job, so I'm less likely to be triggered at work.

Suffered a combination of emotional, physical and sexual abuse over a 1 1/2 year period as a child - most of my memories of that time are gone, other than the occasional flashback.

The biggest challenge I have is the tendency to isolate, especially now that I no longer have my friends and support in my old hometown. I lived in the same place for 25 years, but couldn't get full time work anywhere, so had to move away. I have over 25 years sobriety, but feel like I'm starting all over again.

[MicheleR Founder]

Don, you've come to just the right place. One of the great things about the forum is that you can isolate without being completely isolated.

Everything you wrote makes total sense. Actually, isolation is one of the top experiences in PTSD. We all experience; differing original reasons but the result is the same: an even greater sense of disconnection than PTSD already creates.

In order to heal I relocated from New York City to a small beach town in Florida. I, like you, started over in a new place with no friends. Strung out with symptoms I decided to lessen my isolation by reaching out socially in small controlled ways. I went to do things I enjoyed, which put me around people I felt I could relate to, i.e. going to the beach, taking a dance class, going to poetry readings. Meeting people in places where I knew we already had a common ground (they liked the same activity I did) allowed me to more easily connect and build meaningful connections despite my PTSD turmoil. From there I built solid friendships that have lasted many years -- through my PTSD recovery and now beyond.

Perhaps you might identify some experiences you like to have and then seek out ways to engage in them in your new hometown. It's okay not to feel like it or to not be the life of the party. At first getting out of isolation mode is just about going through the motions. Once you get into the rhythm of venturing out you'll naturally start to develop ways of reaching out, connecting and engaging in ways that feel more comfortable.

We are all here for you as you figure out this phase of your journey. Keep us posted!

[Leckey]

Welcome, Don! Got my own impedementa, like most here, and PTSD from it. Hang around and you'll read about different tools we all use to deal with stuff.

[689908]

Hi Don, welcome.

As you can see from the earlier replies there are some very excellent people here to help.

I have felt isolated all Christmas. My ways out of isolation are seeing my son, meeting my nieces and nephews and occasionally going to the pub. I gave up alcohol 2 months ago to shed weight as I would like to get back out dating in 2015 and being off drink, dieting and feeling low All combined to make it a pretty horrible time.

But I have made good choices too. This forum has been excellent, being off booze has got me really fit and I am dealing with the past (all if it) in counselling. Im getting there. today when I woke I felt dread and shame but by 3pm that was gone.

Some of what you describe I can identify with but not all. If you want to keep posting I think everyone would be glad to listen and try to help.

Well done for reaching out, glad to try to help.

[Hidden]

Hello and Welcome. I just want to say that I found in my case that most of the time even when I may dread going out or really have an urge to isolate once I'm out I start to feel better. As far as being in a new place maybe you can find some local clubs or groups of people who enjoy some common interests and meet people that way. Best of luck to you.

[Murrday]

Places I go in a new town to make small, pleasant, low stress contacts are the library, thrift shops, farmer's market, art galleries and museums, parks, arboretums. In my small town, it's quite safe to just take a camera and go around photographing scenery, and I've met other photographers that way. The local YMCA here has classes about gardening, and I have both taken and taught some.

May you have success in finding your own new connections, and please let us know what you find.

[ConnieLoveskin]

Hi Don. What you describe sounds like an opportunity to me. You can move to the next level in your personal development. Yeah, it's more trying and confusion, but oh the person you'll be will surprise you. I think it's called the "gift of adversity". Some people say that this adversity is a blessing. I've found that to be true . . . if I cooperated with myself. Con

[AbideinLove Pioneer]

Welcome Don! Great introduction!

Glad you are here! I can relate so much with what you have and are going through.

Starting over is hard. I know from experience! I have the habit of isolating too. Coming out and expressing yourself on this forum is a positive step! I like what Michele said" You can isolate without being totally isolated! Lol!