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Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

NikNikSenior Contributor

Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

People can experience a range of different responses following a traumatic event or period in their life. This month we would like to have a community discussion about trauma, hosted by @Former-Member, focusing on the challenges trauma throws our way and how we manage and cope with these challenges.

We would like to hear your experiences with different trauma responses (e.g.: memories, flashbacks, dissociation, etc,.), challenges you have faced with coping and strategies that have enabled you to cope with trauma.

If you haven't already, check out the Community Guidelines before participating tonight. This session isn't about the detail or reliving your past trauma and please be aware that specific and or graphic descriptions of trauma (abuse etc) will be removed, as it can be triggering for others members).

A big welcome to @Mary4 @james_biss @Bimby2 @Former-Member @j___________ @purplefeather @Bonny @chookmojo @1stepup61 @joannah @AngeB @mrkotter @Sehnsucht @myanxiousstory @Cdionfan @KangaRue @greenspace @programmanager @Christina @Shaz51 @Kt3 @Appleblossom @brizj @Sasha1@Mazarita @Martinks

@Former-Member is going to kick off in 10 mins - so stay tuned 🙂

137 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

SGWCasual Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

my issues are to do with justice as like many abusers he is walking free however he has a child in his care and i am ignored by authority and also by social workers. how i cope is i stand up and try and then am continuly knocked down. I am under 30 so i do not have life experiences others might and to date all mine with mental health have been negative to the point i have nearly given up on the system. Infact when given distraction techniques i can say i did most by instinct. I was offered compensation and ways to mask and ignore the issues and my past but these are not a goal of mine. I am in the process of finding legal council and if anyone else here has tried to get it to court you will agree this is not an easy task. On really bad days where i have flash backs my main distraction is singing and working as well as doing various community projects to help and reach out to others. Writting helps. I do whatever i need to to get though and survive untill i am able to stand up again and continue the fight which makes it a slow process... I know validation in the mirror is a great technique as well as finding a creative outlet my current one is knitting. Each is different. I also struggle with the stigma and judgement others have towards survivours however i am honest and genuine about my experiences with most however i rarely share the timeline as most do not believe it!

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

AussieGirlContributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

I withdraw, isolate, put on my professional cap at work and try to fight off the thoughts and triggers whilst at work and sob and sob when alone.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

MaggieSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

Withdraw. Opted out of life as much as possible.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

@NikNik, hello, how does this work again, are we talking to, supporting each other or waiting for you & Rockpool to respond?

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

Shaz51Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

Hello @Former-Member

My husband`s is --Avoidance, widthdrawal, social phobia, , anxiety/panic attack, nightmares & lack of trust

hates crowds, authorities, too many social events , and the big one is PEOPLE

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

j___________Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

I haven't been diagnosed with PTSD but recently went through a traumatic event/s. I'm having problems with depression and anxiety. I already have these and lived with them for 20 years. I'm having panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, sleeping issues, nightmares and vivid and disturbing dreams, crying constantly, irritable, angry, frightened of everything and so tired! I am withdrawing, medicating more than usual, eating more than usual, and I've noticed starting to 'forget' certain events and details of what happened. I think my brain is processing everything and causing me to forget some details. This scares me a bit as I have a feeling of 'losing' my mind! At the same time I wish I could forget what happened but I know that this won't happen and I need to deal with my issues.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

@Former-Member depression can be a result of trauma as it occurs from sustaned, unresolved stress, however everyone's experience is different and not everyone will experience this following a traumatic experience.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

AussieGirlContributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

@Shaz51 and @j___________ sum it up very well indeed. I will never trust a health professional or anyone else again.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

KayeeCasual Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

Oh my J, everything you mention is the same as me. I'm medicating with herbal preparations, just commenced this month, in an attempt to assist sleep, and build some resilience.

Outsbursts, intrusive thoughts, waking with disturbing memories, crying a very inappropriate times, etc etc

hello everyone

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

greenspaceSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

Hi everyone

My most common responses to flashbacks and to new traumatic incidents are to try and get away, block it out - a combination of flight and freeze responses, not usually fight.

If I can't leave the situation I disassociate; if I can, I go to bed and stay there. Then beat myself up about being freaked out, tell myself I should be able to cope better.

Watching lots of tv online or reading all night. Poor self-care - not showering, eating poorly, not going outside. Isolating myself.

When I get a bit of perspective on what's happening, I try to think of what strategies helped me last time, but often I'm not thinking clearly, and if depression and anxiety kick in, I don't believe that anything will work to manage the PTSD, and I can't think of any way of feeling safe except avoidance and isolation.

Eventually the cocooning, sleeping, and distractions get me calm enough that I can think of things like asking for help (usually on Facebook to start with), and then I might be able to use some strategies, do better self-care, and start to engage with the world again

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