Support group for family trauma and abuse

@unassumingPeach6421.  Trigger warning ⚠️ 

Family members can definitely be abusive. You are not alone and will be believed here. TW I experienced sexual, physical and emotional abuse by family members.

@adventurousBranch3786

I hate that you went through that experience but I am so glad that you are here. I wanted to start things off with a question, like a journal prompt. 

Prompt #1.  My greatest fear as a child was…

Thank you so much for joining 💙

My answer....being poisoned after I got bit by a potentially lethal spider when I played in a hollowed out tree. But I also was afraid of sounds being that I was on the spectrum and no one knew. I supported myself in the first part of life when I was trying to process my world.

@unassumingPeach6421. That must have been a vey frightening experience for you.

@adventurousBranch3786

At times, it was never so bad. It's just painful. I still cry and can't get through my day because noises are so painful, but I'm trying my best to fight through the pain and treat the symptoms when I need to. What about you? Do you have a memory of a fear, or something you loved? 

@unassumingPeach6421. Trigger warning ‼️ 

 I do remember having fear of a dangerous family member. I stayed outside as much as possible.

@adventurousBranch3786 That sounds scary, I'm so glad you're ok now

@unassumingPeach6421 when you say sounds were painful, do you mean physically?

@SylvieH 

Yeah it's part of my auditory processing disorder.

@unassumingPeach6421 and sensory processing disorder (just neurodivergent things)

I survived family, school based abuse, and gas lighting directly connected to mental health - and just had a psychiatrist who didn't believe I have ptsd break me so in a horrible place right now -I'm not sure he believes after I ended up in fetal position on the floor- but it doesn't matter I'm so broken - 30 years of progress gone.

I need a support group and to be able to talk with a group that understands trauma- logically that would be the trauma chat room - but it's rarely open and it's only scheduled chats are for DiD - I get that DiD can come from trauma - but if that isn't our space then where are we supposed to go?

I feel guilty being triggered in rooms for other issues.

I need my broken people - hugs.

@IndigoWhisper. 

The trauma chat room is supposed to be opened on the weekends. I don’t see it open today(Saturday). Hopefully it will be open on Sunday.

@IndigoWhisper you're always welcome here I hope this can be a supportive space for you!

For me, family mistreatment has no solution

I just stay as far away from abusive family members as possible

@Daisy22x Knowing that what happened was wrong and finding a solution is wonderful! I hope things clear up for you and you can find people you trust. I know it can be hard.

Hello, @unassumingPeach6421, plenty of family abuse/traumas over here. You are definitely not alone. 

@SylvieH Thanks Sylvie!

@unassumingPeach6421 Next topic: Subtle abuse.

I think subtle abuse can be a thing. Family members speaking about you badly when you're not there, not being invited or included in something, body shaming, treating you like you're a burden, giving harsh nicknames, being overly critical, etc. These things happen and it's just life, but when criticism and mistreatment becomes a pattern, and when you speak up nothing changes maybe it's abuse? I was told not to pursue my dreams and my parents told me not to go to college. Years later my dad told me that what I was pursuing was actually perfect for me and he realized it was a great idea. He never trusted me to make my own decisions and it always left me second guessing myself. My mom growing up took my things without asking. When we argued she just took my stuff she took back gifts. I felt like nothing was mine. It all left me with this sense of helplessness like nothing was mine and I wasn't in control. It's a powerful thing to talk about as I'm trying to take control of my own life. I'm scared of making decisions and being yelled at by someone who decides I can't think for myself. I'm glad most of the time now, there is no one like that standing in my way, but I'm happy to have help from time to time. Does anyone have any other stories of subtle abuse? 

@unassumingPeach6421 How was your week everyone?