Recent posts

#81
RE - Re-experiencing Trauma / Re: (Warning: PA, SA , EA talk...
Last post by LadyBoar - November 15, 2025, 07:20:42 PM
I'm so sorry I missed your post and I really hope you managed to get through the week until your session.
This reminded me of when, after I moved countries, I went back home to visit family, I was supposed to stay at my parents house, my old house...I couldn't do it. I had panick attacks and could not sleep. I manage to get a BNB and I will never again stay at my parents house, especially without my husband. So I can understand the fear at least a little bit.
I truly hope you are well now.

And when it comes to your brother's ex-girlfriends, it was not your responsibility to protect them and you were doing your best to survive, I'm sure if you were in a better place you would have helped them in different ways. Their hurt and pain falls solely on the one who cause it, not on you for not preventing it, even if you could.
Again, wishing you all the best.
 :hug:
#82
Physical Issues / Re: Skin problems in stressful...
Last post by Erec - November 15, 2025, 04:53:14 PM
Yes, I understand you, I also need topical corticosteroid medications. The strange thing is that sometimes this type of dermatological inflammation "flares up" as quickly as a person blushes.
One factor that increases the risk of psoriasis is lithium intake, which is unfortunate because that particular drug could have positive effects in cases of C-PTSD.
#83
Please Introduce Yourself Here / Re: new here - still in the st...
Last post by NarcKiddo - November 15, 2025, 03:08:40 PM
Welcome. I'm glad you found us. That experience with your friend really sucks. And you're right. It cuts both ways and she could perfectly well have contacted you. I'm sorry she didn't.
#84
Recovery Journals / Re: Healing journal (tw) Anger...
Last post by Hope67 - November 15, 2025, 02:28:53 PM
Hi StartingHealing,
Just wanted to wish you the best for the social meeting you're having this weekend - I hope it goes well and that you enjoy it.  :hug:
Hope
#85
RE - Re-experiencing Trauma / Re: (Warning: PA, SA , EA talk...
Last post by Dalloway - November 15, 2025, 12:35:09 PM
I know your post was made a few weeks ago, but I wanted to express my sorrow about your situation and everything you went through because of your abusive brother. I believe it´s very difficult to be around someone who reminds you of the past abuse and your traumatic memories. I wonder if you managed to talk to your psychologist about this, I hope you did.
#86
Please Introduce Yourself Here / Re: new here - still in the st...
Last post by Dalloway - November 15, 2025, 11:43:04 AM
Hi and welcome to the forum. Well, where to start? because most of what you explained was something I would tell about my life. It resonated with me so much and partly I´m sorry for that because that means we suffered a lot and continue to do, but on the other hand, your writing about this made me feel seen and validated, so thank you for that. I´m really sorry for everything you´ve been through, it´s really hard to feel invisible and not worthy of love. My background story is very similar - being constantly ignored, the only attention I got was the negative one. No one saw, comforted or validated me, no one ever told me they love me and appreciate me and that they are happy I´m alive. I was the invisible child, the one that needs no love and care, the one that can provide for herself, and apparently it was ok for everyone to think that a child can exist without love. But I was slowly dying inside, just like a plant would die without sunlight and water.

Your story about the old friend you reached out to was something I´ve just experienced, so it hit really hard. I had a seven years long grudge with my former partner, who I had a terrible breakup with. We haven´t talked since then, but I´v always carried the burden of guilt and wanted to apologize to him because of the things I said to him. I met him two days ago and that gave me a confidence boost to finally text him, which I did - the answer was rather cold and distant, he let me know that he doesn´t want to reopen the topic and doesn´t want to talk to me at all. Boy, it hurt so much, even though rationally I knew I have to accept his reaction and that he has a right not to accept my apology. But my emotions don´t care for rationality, so it was horrible, it still is, because his rejection reminded me of the core rejection from my mother, the invisibility, the worthlessness and the frustration: why can´t he understand that I was in huge pain when I did those things? That I was not ok back then? And most importantly: that now I am a way better person, way healthier, way more healed and much wiser that I would never do that to him or anyone else again? I felt so desperate to make him see and hear me...
Quote from: beauty4ashes13 on November 02, 2025, 02:55:47 AMEven knowing this is a safe space to be real, I find myself wanting to temper everything I say with some note of positivity  and a counting of my blessings because that is what has been ingrained in my psyche.
:yeahthat: It´s so comforting and so scary at the same time, how someone can hit the bullseye of my lived experience so precisely...I´ve always been doing this positivity thing, not letting myself to feel bad or stuck, because I´m afraid that if I allow myself to be down, I stay there forever. And it´s very hard to advocate for myself when the only one doing it for me is me. It makes me feel just more isolated and more alone.

I don´t mean to hijack your post, so sorry if it felt like that. I just had so many things to say because everything you wrote, resonated with me very much and made me feel validated. I thank you for that and hope that by writing these things down you felt a little relief at least.  :hug:
#87
Physical Issues / Re: Skin problems in stressful...
Last post by NarcKiddo - November 15, 2025, 11:13:59 AM
I have not experienced such sudden and intense reactions. However I suffer from pompholyx eczema that reliably forms on my hands at times of stress. Sometimes it is the first thing that makes me aware of increased stress, given I am so used to living with a pretty heavy stress level generally. It is only controlled by prescription steroid creams - over the counter strength does nothing.
#88
Recovery Journals / Re: Healing journal (tw) Anger...
Last post by StartingHealing - November 14, 2025, 11:25:03 PM
Hi San

My apologies.  I removed that post. 
#89
Conferences/Courses / Re: FREE, Rewiring to Break fr...
Last post by Blueberry - November 14, 2025, 10:17:16 PM
I've heard a few interesting talks so far. Today there was one with an exercise in self-compassion, which made me feel calmer.
#90
Conferences/Courses / Re: FREE webinar: Mapping Your...
Last post by Blueberry - November 14, 2025, 10:15:40 PM
This was disappointing. Generally I like Alex Howard's stuff, but idk it seemed he and Diane P.H. were wasting time,a bit. Or I'm not as patient as I used to be :Idunno:  Plus the last 15-20 minutes were all about trying to sell their upcoming series that you have to pay for. Oh well.