Triggering (Sexual Abuse) - why can't i deal with this. May TRIGGER

[Bambi]

my sexual Abuse happened nearly A year ago now. and i have tried to put it to the back of my mind and forget about it. i suppose I have never really dealt with it but surely after nearly a year the flash backs and the panic attacks should and the nightmares should have stopped by now. I have never told anyone about the abuse maybe this has something to do with why the flashbacks and panic attacks and nightmares have not stopped. I have just convinced myself that it never really happend. because Iam scared that if i ever did go through what happened that I know that i would fall apart and That I would become a total wreck. Its just recently the flashbacks and nightmares and panic attacks have become much worse actually they have all become unbearable and totaly impossible to deal with. I just don't know how Iam going to get through christmas bbbb

[troubleshooter]

*hugs lots* Sweetie, it's going to be okay. It hasn't been that long and you need time to heal ok? Have you told anyone about it? If not you should try to. Also, will Christmas be hard because the person who hurt you is in your family? I'm sure if you seek help you will be able to get through this and feel better. Don't worry honey, you can do it.

[Bambi]

hi. I have never told anyone about the abuse before now. and yes christmas is going to be awful because this person is a very close friend of the family. and i know that iam not going to be able to cope

[danskpige]

sorry im not really able to give advise cause im in a very similar situation, but seems to me all you can it take one day or a few hours at a time and just keep going. i know that not really any help sorry.
*hugs* you have my support and my thoughts

pm if you need to chat

[shadow-light]

A year really isn't that long, healing takes time, and different people heal at different rates.

have you tried some grounding techniques? I know they don't make the flashbacks go totally, but finding a few that work for you really can make them more manageable.


have you ever considered telling someone about this? even a friend or whatever? you don't have to go into detail, but having someone who knows even just a little can really help...

Quote:

christmas is going to be awful because this person is a very close friend of the family.

I assume this means that you may be seeing this person over christmas? is there no way you could make an excuse to be out of the way when they visit or your family visit them? I can;t think of anything offhand... your profile doesn't say your age, but maybe you could use school/uni work as an excuse to keep out of the way? or seeing friends? just to limit the time you have to see this person


I really wish I could advice more... as danskpige said though, just take it one day or hour at a time. you CAN get through this

[abba12]

avoiding the abuser is definitly a good thing to do if you can at all work it. even pretending youre sick if nothing else comes up.

as for the general stuff, a year may not be long, but its a huge step. having not told anyone dosent help, having it bottled inside. is there a close friend you could speak to? having someone to speak to when it gets bad, to support you, really does help take the edge off things.