hello, I'm new

[fire4]

Hello, I'm new to this site and I'm hoping that it is a space where I can help others and find help for myself. I struggled to join, I have been trying to downplay what happened to me for a while now, but I find myself unconsciously scratching my thumbs until they bleed, I constantly have nightmares and I never feel rested even after a full night of sleep. Things trigger me at the most unpredictable times. I've been waiting to 'get over it', but it hasn't happened. And I don't know how to speak to anybody around me about it... I have been able to think about it for longer than I used to though, and I hope that that is a good thing. 

[missfrier]

QDear fire4

I would like to welcome you to After Silence's forums.  We are all here for you and want to support you in any way we can. I know that posting for the first time can be scary.  Please don't worry, though; you will always be given so much support from our lovely community and its members.  You're not alone - we are with you.

You will soon receive an official welcome message in your inbox.  Please feel free to respond to that PM if you have any questions about the forum or if you need some help finding your way around the site. 

Take care and keep reaching out!! 

 

[MeBeMary]

Hi fire,

Welcome to AfterSilence. I am very sorry you've experienced something awful and wrong. Do know it was not your fault. You are very brave to reach out and join our community. You are not alone. You will be supported by our understanding members.

It is one thing many survivors try to do, so I understand completely, trying to downplay it and pretend it doesn't have any affect. Even when we deny the cause, it seems like struggles still find us. I do think tho it is good to find others who have been there and able to interact can be helpful. You can speak safely here.

Take your time and look around. I wish you the best as you move forward down this healing road.

Mary

 

[goldraindrops]

Dear @fire4,

Welcome to After Silence.

I can assure you you are definitely not alone in the issues you are facing.  We know about nightmares, intrusive thoughts and struggling with the pain of sexual abuse.  I too was nervous when I first joined after silence, but that's melted away and I so appreciate all the friends I have here.  

I hope that our community also brings you comfort and healing.  Take your time reading and post whenever you're comfortable.

Gold Raindrops

[8888]

Welcome @fire4 to After Silence.  I’m sorry for what brought you here but I’m happy you are here reaching out for support.   Good job taking this step in your healing process.  You are not alone and what happened to you wasn’t your fault.  Take your time exploring and post when you are ready.  If you have any questions feel free to message me. 

[Redpanda58]

Hi there @fire4. Glad you started reaching out to a community. Hope it starts to bring you some peace. ❤️

[Poppy_]

Hi, @fire4 - 

Welcome to After Silence! I'm so sorry to hear about what you've gone through that led you here  I am happy you found us though, as this is an amazingly supportive community and I hope it will help you to be here. I know the aftereffects of trauma are almost just as bad as the trauma itself and it's so hard to go through. You are definitely not alone here. I hope we are able to help you on your healing journey to find healthy ways to cope that don't involve self injury. I also hope that we can help you to get to a better place where you don't have so many nightmares. 

Keep looking around the site and post as you feel comfortable enough to do so. Reach out with any questions you have or if you need any advice. We are here for you! If you need anything, my door is always open and you can come to me any time  I'm just a quick PM away! 

Wishing you all the best,
Poppy

[bearmountains]

Welcome! I just wanted to let you know that I used to scratch myself like that too. I had sores all over my body for months. I also downplayed everything that happened, but clearly the itchiness was my body screaming at me that something was wrong. So you're not alone. Message me if you ever want to talk about it

[fire4]

Thank you to everyone who responded, I feel very overwhelmed with the amount of care that I feel from your messages. thank you ❤️