BooksnCoffee

I read your post and as a past caregiver for family and current healthcare provider, I understand some of the stress. It's okay to ask for help. You can't be in charge of your mother's mental health and she may need additional support for that. Some places offer free mental health support, other places are different. There is a lot you're taking on and your health is important too. AARP usually has good links for caregiver support. There is a caregiver support network too. https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/mental-health-resource-c

Sorry you're going through this. Take care of yourself during this time. Plan for resources and long-term care. I had to become a part-time nurse for my relatives when they got sick and I lost a lot of money from no work. I also had Power of Attorney and had to make medical decisions for them and manage their banking/finances. This is/will be very stressful and I hope you have some help in this. Local organizations may offer assistance. Look up Caregiver Assistance if you want. See if you can get re-reimbursed for the care you provide either through your family or In-Home Supportive Services.

@newhorizons Totally agree. I participated in chat rooms at age 15 and some of them were... explicit. No idea who the other people were and it's too easy to think they'll never know who I am. Now, I'm really scared for kids because with phones--they can be traced. We use our phone numbers just to sign into all these apps. Kids are looking for people to confide in and it's not just men "grooming" kids, it's women/girls too, who are working for these men. On a personal note, I attempted dating while questioning my sexuality. I was 17 and found someone, met them then later found ou

@8888 Thank you! @MeBeMary Thanks so much! @missfrier Thank you!

Hello, I go by BooksnCoffee. I joined After Silence for online support. I am seeing a T but need more support that is ongoing. I'm so glad people have this forum here. In 2015, I started studying about trauma and took a class that opened my eyes and showed me what's needed for people. I hope to help others in this field as I (very very slowly!) finish my college studies. As a survivor of trauma I understand the complexities we face, which makes "everyday life" more difficult. PTSD and C-PTSD are major obstacles. Peer support is needed to recognize and confront these situations. Under

Hello M34, not knowing where to begin for healing is okay. You've made the first step and hopefully found a safe place here. It was years before I knew I had trauma and that I needed to address it. Recognizing what happened to me was the first step. I can't speak for all trauma but it does affect all of us. PTSD and C-PTSD are also things that people deal with (I'm not a doctor). Going on a date or to the grocery store may be harder for you than others and that's okay. Maybe try to notice what you're feeling when you're in these situations? Maybe write those thoughts and feelings dow

You don't have to be alone in this. I think this is the best part about this site is that we can talk about what happened to us and even if we don't share, there are others who understand. It can be very isolating at times and when all you want is to be "normal", it's very difficult. Three months is a very short time and there's no need to rush your healing process. Writing things down gave me a sense of control and a way to make sense of things. Even if it's not coherent or just a list of things that come to mind, it may help. I don't want to call this experience "normal" because t