Will I ever get over it?

[ladybailey]

From the time I was 12-14 my stepfather molested me and when I finally spoke up I was put into a foster home for 3yrs. Since you cannot prove this happened nothing was ever done to him and my mom and 3brothers continued to live happily w/him. They have always said that I lied and it is never brought up. I see them everyday and have learned to forgive him, and my mother for not sticking by me. My problem is that this was 14years ago and not a day goes by that I don't have some kind of thought about what he has done to me. I remember details about everything that happened down to a song they played during one incident (which I will not listen to). Could I be post-traumatic? I don't understand why if I am. I have learned to forgive him, so why can't I stop thinking about the things that he did?

[Tigre]

Hi,
Yes you can be post traumatic. Definately. You may have forgiven him and all but its hard for someone or anyone to understand how someone can do such horrible things (it happend to me too as a child when i was 7) Alot was taken from you and it was a traumatic experience to deal with and to also deal with people who dont believe you. I couldnt have forgiven them, especially your mom who should have stood beside you. I have 4 small kids and after going through it myself, God help anyone who hurts my kids whether there is "proof" or not. I suggest maybe seeing a psychologist or something because this does hinder your everyday life and PTSD is something that needs to be taken care of. I wish you the best my friend for you have lived through hell at a young age and it still seems to be following you. Take care and i give you more credit than me because i can and never will forgive the a@@ who did it to me. I cant understand those type of people and im sorry if i sound cruel. I do wish you the best and hope that you seek the help you need. Dont let this ******* win by having to relive everything over and over. You will never forget but you can heal from it. Please hang in there and go see the doc...they can help. My best wishes and prayers for you.

[indianwoman29]

NO U WILL NEVER BE ABLE GET OVER IT NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS. I KNOW I WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT 7YRS AGO. ONLY THING THAT HELPS ME IS PROZAC IT IS A PILL. AND I AM DOING MUCH BETTER WITH AS WELL. AND YES U DO HAVE POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER WHICH PTSD. IF U NEED A FRIEND PLEASE CONTACT ME. I WILL BE THERE.
YOUR FRIEND
ELIZABETH

[sniffy]

Hi Ladybailey

You most definitely could be post traumatic. I was diagnose ptsd and depression stemming from the sexual abuse that happened when I was 4 to 7. Just because you forgave your perp it doesn't mean that you are no longer affected by the damage he has done to you. You will never completely get over this BUT you can learn to live a normal life in spite of it get help stopping nightmares and flashbacks. I would highly recommend that you see a doctor and tell them all about this. I have been in therapy for 5 months now and it has done wonders for me. It has helped with the things and behaviour that I knew was happening but also with the stuff I wasn't even aware I was doing. Therapy would be a really good option for you.

I wish you the best in your battle. I know how tough it is however you will make it through. Look what we have all endured already.

heather

[rainonwindow]

I don't see why a person can't get completely over PTSD? Perhaps I am misunderstanding. I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD due to events during a 12 year period of my life. For 14 years there was not a single day where I didn't have intrusive memories or what happened. At times I felt suicidal. But this past year things have dramatically changed. Now most days I do NOT think about what happened at all and when I do the impact is greatly diminished. I am quite sure that the day will soon be here when I can think about what happened and not have it impact me in a negative way.

I know for some that it is a life-time struggle. But PTSD can go away.