Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I'm 39,and was diagnosed with CPTSD 2 years ago. Needless to say, it's affected all of my adult life, and some of my childhood. Being diagnosed was a relief in a way - I assumed that I was broken in some way, and addiction, hospitalisation, medication and failed relationships and friendships underlined the feeling.
I've been in EMDR for just over a year, it's helped a lot, but I'm still pretty much constantly hyper vigilant, and EF and disassociation can creep up on me when I'm not being 'mindful'.
My Mother was physically and emotionally abusive, I was the scapegoat, and it started when I was around 6. My Dad was an enabler, and abusive in similar ways.
I wanted to thank everyone here for making such a helpful and supportive community. I've been lurking here for about a year, and it's helped me feel a lot less alone.
Welcome to the forum! Congrats on having the courage to join up after lurking for a while :)
Hi and a very warm welcome to OOTS Londongal! :heythere: Glad you took the risk to post, I know from personal experience just how difficult that can be. :yes: FWIW that's why the forum is open to guests; so that people who feel vulnerable (as most of us with CPTSD do), can take their time, read and hopefully develop enough of a sense of safety/comfort to post.
Anyway, glad you are here and I hope you do find posting helpful. It can take a bit to settle in so please take your time :yes:
Quote from: Blueberry on August 27, 2018, 11:31:10 AM
Welcome to the forum! Congrats on having the courage to join up after lurking for a while :)
Thank you Blueberry :)
Quote from: Kizzie on August 27, 2018, 01:39:14 PM
Hi and a very warm welcome to OOTS Londongal! :heythere: Glad you took the risk to post, I know from personal experience just how difficult that can be. :yes: FWIW that's why the forum is open to guests; so that people who feel vulnerable (as most of us with CPTSD do), can take their time, read and hopefully develop enough of a sense of safety/comfort to post.
Anyway, glad you are here and I hope you do find posting helpful. It can take a bit to settle in so please take your time :yes:
Thank you so much Kizzie! I've learnt a lot during my lurking months ;D and hope to be able to bring something positive to this amazing community.
Hi Londongal,
Welcome to the forum from another Brit who knows London well.
I am a few years older than you - in my 50s, and was the scapegoat in my family too, with both parents involved in gaslighting. So yes, I ended up very confused and full of self-loathing with a load of other problems.
Interesting to hear that EMDR worked for you. I haven't tried it.
My hypervigilance and EFs calmed down when I moved out of London into a quiet area, stopped working in triggering environments (mainly from home).
I have tried all sorts of methods for healing, whatever I was drawn to that I could afford. It's an ongoing project, and I am grateful for the peace I now feel.
I wish you well on your journey, hope you find the keys to unlocking the places that need healing, and share with us your successes to celebrate. :cheer: