Brand new to support groups

[Angiem1966]

I am here because my therapist strongly encouraged me to find a support group and right now it is almost impossible for me to walk into a room full of strangers so here I am.  I am 50 years old and recently diagnosed with bipolar and PTSD, gosh I wish I had found help years and years ago.  Sexually abused by my father and my brother and suffered observed much violence at the hands of my alcoholic father.  In many ways I am just beginning to come to terms with what has happened to me.  I have been pretty disabled by the PTSD for years, I do not go out, do not socialize, work online at home so I do not have to go to a job.  People overwhelm me, noise overwhelms me.  I would just rather stay home with my dog but I recognize this may not be a reasonable way to live my life, I want to be alone but I don't want to be lonely.  Looking forward to making some connections here, thank you for having me

[brooke taylor]

Welcome to the forum. I hope you find this a supportive place. Just know you are not alone. I also struggle with loneliness and have problem emotionally connecting to other people.

[patriciag]

6 hours ago, Angiem1966 said:

I am here because my therapist strongly encouraged me to find a support group and right now it is almost impossible for me to walk into a room full of strangers so here I am.  I am 50 years old and recently diagnosed with bipolar and PTSD, gosh I wish I had found help years and years ago.  Sexually abused by my father and my brother and suffered observed much violence at the hands of my alcoholic father.  In many ways I am just beginning to come to terms with what has happened to me.  I have been pretty disabled by the PTSD for years, I do not go out, do not socialize, work online at home so I do not have to go to a job.  People overwhelm me, noise overwhelms me.  I would just rather stay home with my dog but I recognize this may not be a reasonable way to live my life, I want to be alone but I don't want to be lonely.  Looking forward to making some connections here, thank you for having me

I Angiem, welcome to AS. I am sorry for what you went through as a child. my abuser was my father too. This is a very supportive site you will find you are not alone here. You are never to old to reach out for help, I am 61 and still working on me. Take you time going over the site, we are here for you. 

[ceirsha]

Hi Angiem, I am also older, and just started therapy this summer to try to deal with problems past abuse/assault has resulted in.  You will find connections, support, and insight on here.  Welcome to you!

[MeBeMary]

8 hours ago, Angiem1966 said:

I am here because my therapist strongly encouraged me to find a support group and right now it is almost impossible for me to walk into a room full of strangers so here I am.  I am 50 years old and recently diagnosed with bipolar and PTSD, gosh I wish I had found help years and years ago.  Sexually abused by my father and my brother and suffered observed much violence at the hands of my alcoholic father.  In many ways I am just beginning to come to terms with what has happened to me.  I have been pretty disabled by the PTSD for years, I do not go out, do not socialize, work online at home so I do not have to go to a job.  People overwhelm me, noise overwhelms me.  I would just rather stay home with my dog but I recognize this may not be a reasonable way to live my life, I want to be alone but I don't want to be lonely.  Looking forward to making some connections here, thank you for having me

Hi Angiem,

Welcome to AS. I am very sorry for the trauma you suffered at the hands of your father and brother. It is never right for another person to hurt you this way. You have found a very supportive site. I wish u well on your healing journey.

Mary

[HiddenHeart]

Hi, Angiem. Welcome to AS. 

[phoenixxx]

Welcome to AS, Angiem. i am sorry for all the abuse you had to endure from your father and brother. I can understand that facing people in real life can be scary and overwhelming. AS is great for finding support and making connections without having to walk into a room full of people. I am glad you found us and hope you will find the support you deserve here. You are not alone! 

[reglois]

     if ok

 

I am in the old age bracket    I so recognise the wanting to stay home with the dogs but not wanting to be lonely, unfortunately life doesn't work that way. I do have one real good friend whom I visit on a regular basis, I walk my dogs but here is isolated, my choice, and my daughter lives no far away but she and her husband are renovating a ruin themselves so I don't see much of her unless I make the effort which is no more than once a week. ( awful mother)  I also have a little business that I run, I rent out a little cottage,  I have to meet and greet  (2 people) once a week during the holiday season and some times that is too much., stick mask on tighter and smile   I have some wonderful friends on here and they mean the world to me, AS has been my lifeline.   

Edited September 26, 2016 by reglois

[Tannyluck]

Hi and welcome to AS! I hope you find our community informative/supportive. I wish you well on your healing journey.

 

[Struggling88]

Hi, Angiem1966, and welcome to AS!  I also have PTSD and hate leaving the house. I force myself to go to work everyday, but become a hermit on the weekend. I'm sorry for the trauma you've suffered, but glad you found AS.