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hi ★ lost and afraid

hi ★ lost and afraid

hi everyone. this is my first post. i found my way here searching for support for my cptsd, DPDR, OCD, autism etc. I am severely chronically ill and completely housebound as of the last 2 years- so as you can imagine im extremely lonely and 100% isolated. i already struggled with the repercussions of my past traumas prior to getting sick, and tried tirelessly to get a grip on managing symptoms and whatnot, but never felt i made much progress with getting more comfortable existing - and now i am so so sick and stuck alone in an echochamber of my own junk. It feels like a true waking nightmare. My DPDR (depersonalisation/derealisation) + dissociation especially is so bad i cant even look in the mirror anymore. i cant even relax and be comfortable while i rest all day, i cant try to express myself or form an attachment to my personal identity. i feel scared, i feel so sad. I want a mentally managable+comfortable life for myself, even if im physically sick. I am yearning for some peace within my body and brain but my body is not a safe place to be for me. It feels like a crime scene. I feel confused and angry and like i dont exist. I have no idea who i am anymore or what is even means to be. I want help so so badly, i want friends and a normal life. But right now i am so deeply sad, depressed, terrified and hurting literally all the time. My brain is never settled. OCD IS HORRIFIC. everything i have going on just all feeds into eachother and creates a never ending snowball effect. I have almost no hope left. i have been turned away so many times by practitioners because of my complex case+diagnoses. I dont feel safe around anyone at all, including the little family and like 2 friends i have. i talk to no one most days. I genuinely feel like im going insane invisibly disappearing into nothingness and no one has the resources to help me. i just want friends, community and a practitioner who is educated enough to take on my case load. please god. i cannot suffer alone anymore, i wish i could just wake up as someone else. - i would love any advice, tips, resources, or just general community or any words at all from anyone tbh. ♥

also i tried to post this just before but idk if it worked so im sorryyyy if it posted twice it wasnt on purpose im still figuring this out !! :3

13 replies

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In response to: hi ★ lost and afraid

Re: hi ★ lost and afraid

Although our situations are very different, this really does give me hope. its hard not to feel like it will never ever be any better based on my track record. im so happy to hear your wife has been able to have such success, i pray the same can happen for me <3

In response to: hi ★ lost and afraid

Re: hi ★ lost and afraid

Hi @prettypigeon

Often a priority focus is to find how to get some relief from distress in the moment, even temporarily.

The standard grounding techniques don't work for everyone, so more body focussed ones are at https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/dbt-tipp/

Perhaps you can bring your total focus into the room in the present moment, look around and tell yourself you're safe in this moment, and intensely focus on something using your senses e.g. stroking a pet or a blanket, listening to the birds. Focus intently on that and try to let everything else fall away for now. Even if it only gives you 30 secs relief, keep practicing and gradually you'll be able to extend that period.

Connecting to other peers may help e.g. https://supportgroup.mhfa.org.au/trauma-and-ptsd-support-group

However this is only temporary, and it's important for your recovery to find a clinician experienced in dissociation. Blue Knot may be able to help you find one, or search professional associations using the filters for dissociation and trauma like https://acpa.org.au/find-a-clinical-psychologist/

Please keep us informed how you are going.

In response to: hi ★ lost and afraid

Re: hi ★ lost and afraid

Hi@prettypigeon,

You are so welcome. You might be eligible for extra support from the NDIS.

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