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Just need to let it go

User Profile: Musicknight2005

Hey, I'm 19 now and was sexually abused when I was 6 by a family member, si ya 13 years ago now. I thought I had completely let it go and moved on from the guilt, but I've been having super realistic and vivid nightmares of what happened to me. It's like I'm trapped and I wake up in sweat and panicked. Why is this happening? 

3
User Profile: ShiningInTheDark

Hello @Musicknight2005 , I'm so sorry that you've had to go through this. What you are describing is a common symptom of trauma. They are described as nightmares in clinical settings. Those symptoms can appear close to the event or way down the line. I've also experienced those nightmares in which I felt trapped many times over the years. It's a difficult thing to go through and can be scary. 


We don't have to pathologize your experience, but it is a symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It might be helpful to look into it to see if you've been experiencing other symptoms. If you've been abused multiple times you might also want to look at Complex Trauma. To make it simple, PTSD it typically one event. Complex trauma is multiple. You might also just be experiencing some symptoms without having a diagnosis. 

You're not alone in this. I study trauma, and I'm here if you ever want to talk. I can help you figure things out or just listen.

Warmly, 
Lex
2 replies
User Profile: Musicknight2005
Musicknight2005 OP 2 days ago

Hey @ShiningInTheDark, 

Thanks for your response. It has been difficult to navigate these feelings and nightmares. It wasn't just once; it was over the span of months. I'm afraid to be diagnosed with anything because it would reflect poorly on my ROTC profile and get me kicked out. I just want the nightmares to stop, and I don't know how to make them stop. 

Thanks for reaching out.

Gabbi.

1 reply
User Profile: ShiningInTheDark
ShiningInTheDark 2 days ago

Hey @Musicknight2005, 

Thanks for the follow-up. I hear how difficult this is for you. It makes sense that you just want the nightmares to stop. I understand your fear of being diagnosed. The good news is that you don't need a diagnosis to get some relief. Don't hesitate to reach out to me 1-on-1. I could help you find the help that you need, or walk you through some exercises that might help. In the meantime, I'd like to share an app with you. It's called "PTSD Coach": https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/ptsdcoach_app.asp . It's been developed by the National Center for PTSD. It offers a lot of great content to help manage symptoms like tools that can help. It also provides education and ways to track progress. There's also a website that offers similar things: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/ptsdcoachonline/tools_menu.htm?cat_id=sleep . 

I hope this can help you find relief, 

Lex

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