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_Georgia_

744d

This is kinda hard to talk about, but I’ll be honest, I’ve actually never opened up to a therapist fully about the effect being sexually assaulted had on me…Mostly because it’s just so painful to remember, but the thing is…it’s starting to have physical effects on me that I can’t ignore. Ever since it happened about two years ago, my sleeping patterns and night terrors seemingly are only getting worse, and more erratic. It took me a while to be able to sleep with my boyfriend again, and on countless occasions he’d hear me screaming in my sleep, sometimes waking up drenched in sweat, and have to comfort me back to sleep. But lately, for the past few months, he’s been saying that he’s been seeing me claw at my face with my nails in my sleep …Now, I have no knowledge of this, and never remember it, but one day I woke up and i’d scratched a giant gash into the side of my neck in my sleep without knowing. When I was assaulted, I’d had a scarf wrapped around my head and neck, so I can only infer this is something to do with my PTSD from that…but since my Quetiapine keeps me pretty sedated at night, there’s pretty much nothing I can do to stop myself when it happens. I never remember the occasions my boyfriend tries to wake me up to stop me scratching at my face, and ever since I’ve become knowledgable about it, it’s just gotten worse, and I have new scrapes or scratches on my face and neck almost every couple of days now, without me even knowing it. This has been happening for a few weeks now, and I just want to know if anyone else has experienced anything like this…? it’s gotten to the point I’m ashamed and humiliated to even go outside sometimes because my face is starting to get so scarred looking…one person at work even jokingly said I looked like a drug user, and even though I just laughed, it’s like what the hell do I even say to explain that? I can only be thankful that masks are still optional (I’m a server at a restaurant), but I still feel like I stick out because it obviously doesn’t cover everything, and most of my coworkers don’t wear their masks anymore as the mandate here is lifted I’ve just been feeling so alone and out of control lately, and don’t have a therapist currently to be able to get some of this stuff out. (I’m working on getting one soon) - Apologies for the long ramble, I’ve not talked about my PTSD much before so this is all a bit new in ways Hope you’re all doing well and having a wonderful day ;)

Top reply
    • Peacherry

      744d

      Also, coping skills are so huge through trauma therapy. Trauma gives so much intense mixed emotions. Nightmares actually can be your brain trying to fight off the trauma. Any ways you can find to relieve it in a healthy manner will help. Get into painting and pour your emotions into it, work it out in the gym, I like to do art a lot and I will sometimes decide certain colors are certain emotions and just go at it and make this mess but it helps a lot. I also found it comforting after researching PTSD and my other issues a lot to be able to understand things better and why they are happening. It helps me feel more in control of it 🤷🏻‍♀️ I hope something in these comments helps. Much love

    • thembeaux

      743d

      i’ve had night terrors, sleep paralysis and panic attacks and my doctor prescribed mirtazapine and it really helped. it suppressed dreams and gives me restful sleep. im so sorry you’re going through this.

    • Zebrapotato37659

      744d

      I can totally relate. Prayers! God has a plan! I recommend praying to God and therapy. God has really helped me through being raped and sexually assaulted. Therapy has helped me process things. Once you start therapy it’ll just take some time for your body to learn a new way to respond and cope with the trauma. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it was not your fault at all no matter what. Hope this helps. Have a great day!

      • _Georgia_

        743d

        @Zebrapotato37659 thank you so much for your kind words! You have a great day yourself dear - God is good 🤗 ❤️

    • Peacherry

      744d

      Also, coping skills are so huge through trauma therapy. Trauma gives so much intense mixed emotions. Nightmares actually can be your brain trying to fight off the trauma. Any ways you can find to relieve it in a healthy manner will help. Get into painting and pour your emotions into it, work it out in the gym, I like to do art a lot and I will sometimes decide certain colors are certain emotions and just go at it and make this mess but it helps a lot. I also found it comforting after researching PTSD and my other issues a lot to be able to understand things better and why they are happening. It helps me feel more in control of it 🤷🏻‍♀️ I hope something in these comments helps. Much love

      • _Georgia_

        743d

        @Peacherry thank you so much! It definitely did help. I’d never heard it like that before, my brain trying to fight off the trauma, but it really helped me feel less alone. I’ve been making sure to keep my nails as short as possible for right now too lol Thank you again for your kind message 🤗

    • Peacherry

      744d

      Oh hun I am sorry you're dealing with this. I've had PTSD since I was 4 and had more added later. After the stuff when I was older I have had some weird experiences and nightmares and such. I never had frequent nightmares thankfully but what I can tell you is when you can get yourself a therapist as you get to know them just talk about it but by bit, only as much as you can handle. If a therapist isn't handling it right or trying to push you too much, find a new one. Do not settle for one that isn't really helping you, it will just cause more damage. A change in medications could help. I would be very open with your psychiatrist or whoever. It will continue easing in time as you heal and work through the shiz. It is a lot to unpack. It's going to take some work. But you will get through this. An idea for the scratching, maybe wear gloves? Make sure you keep your nails short. Keep your head up

    • packersfan95

      744d

      I used to have really bad night terrors from my assault. I wouldn’t physically harm myself in my sleep, but I would wake up with panic attacks almost every night multiple times a night and always drenched in sweat. I am now on seroquel and prazosin and the prazosin has helped me tremendously with the nightmares. 💕

      • _Georgia_

        743d

        @packersfan95 that’s so great to hear! Thank you for the advice. I’ve never tried prazosin before but it’s definitely something I’ll ask my doctor about

    • Rosay

      744d

      I can relate somewhat. It’s important to be honest to your therapist. Also, they have medications that can stop your nightmares. You may want to give it a try because that sounds pretty intense what you’re going through. Best of luck to you ❤️

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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