My name is Amanda, 31 years old. I haven't been formally diagnosed as of yet, but it has been suggested by my counselor that I might have it. I was the subject of severe abuse at school, including being molested by a male student, from age 10 -15 years old but have blocked out a lot of the details. My family always tells me that although many teens get teased at school, they have yet to meet anyone who was abused at school to the severity that I was. I just remember always being afraid all the time at school and the anxiety was so much that I would often get physically sick to the point of throwing up and I'd have to be sent home from school. All throughout my teen years I had recurring nightmares that included things like being raped, chased by dark men, being strangled, and attempted kidnappings. At the time I didn't know that this was unusual for a teenager to have such violent dreams, especially since I don't remember actually being violently attacked ... well, not physically anyway. The verbal and emotional abuse was another store, and my teachers did nothing to help me. Later after high school I started drinking to cope with my past and it developed to being full blown alcoholic. Alcoholism also runs in my family too. I'm also extremely easily startled as well.

Currently I take Paxil and Klonopin for severe social anxiety. At the suggestion of my counselor, I've set up an appointment for a mental health evaluation at the local county mental health center. It'll be interesting to see what they say.

Hi Amanda, welcome to the forum. Good to hear that you have an evaluation organised, atleast your going in the right direction. Well done and look forward to chatting more with you on the forum.

Thanks. :) It actually never occurred to me that I might have PTSD, even though I'm always asked about it by counsellors because of my abuse. Sometime last year when I started counselling again, I was talking about my anxiety & anxiety meds and how I'm so easily startled, and the first thing she said was "Oh, do you have PTSD?" "Hmm not that I know of, no one's ever told me I do." and she said she asked because that's a very common symptom to be easily startled by loud noises ... and also by guys at work who get a big laugh from watching me jump 10 feet in the air at the slightest things!!!!! Sometimes they intentionally try to make me jump ... idiots! But that's guys for you, they're lucky I have a sense of humor!!!!

Hi Amanda and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about the abuse at school. I believe those things can happen at school. Some times young people can be just as mean as adults.

I hope you find information here that will help you with your healing.

Tammy

Welcome to the forum Amanda.

Hiya Amanda

Welcome to the site. I'm so glad that you have taken the first step in finding the weath of information here. Theres a lot of help, advice and support here. It has helped me so much and i'm sure it will you.

As a teacher, i know only too well that theres a lot of abuse that goes on in schools. I have had a pupil tell me herself and have worked hard to help her. She's getting counselling now, despite her parents trying to prevent it. So although most teachers can be blind to it, there are a lot of us who don't just bury our heads in the sand. Just wish there had been that help for you at your school.

Any way, have a look around and im sure you will find it helps

Take care

Hi Amanda. Welcome to the forum. I've only been here since November but I've found it quite helpful and very supportive so far. I hope you find what you need here.
Take care, Morgan

Thanks for all the welcomes everyone. :)