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Survivor story

Living with Complex-PTSD caused by rape and other traumatic experiences

Original story

I was raped at a party when I was 16 years old. I'm 18 now, and my psychologist told me I more than likely have Complex-PTSD, from this, and other traumatic experiences that happened beforehand. The first person I told was my boyfriend, who I started dating when I was 17. He's been very supportive throughout the years, and I'm very grateful for him. The first time we had sex, soon after he started getting sores, and joked that I gave him an STD. But I actually did. I started thinking about it, and set up an appointment for us to get tested. Turns out, my rapist gave me Herpes, and I gave it to my boyfriend (he was a virgin, so it wasn't him). I felt so guilty, and I thought he was going to leave me, but he didn't care. I would've understood if he was upset, but he wasn't. He still loved me anyway, and that healed some part of me. I kept the whole thing from my mom, but the hospital ended up sending her an email with my diagnosis, even though I told them not to tell her anything. I still have yet to tell her how I got it. She was very supportive though, as she also contracted Herpes when she was in her 30's I believe. I was very thankful she reacted well, and she gave me a hug and said she was sorry I contracted it, especially so young. After she left, I cried because I physically couldn't tell her how I got it. Now, I think I'm about as emotionally ready as I'll ever be to tell her. I just don't know how, that's why I'm writing this. My rapist was a 20-something year old man that didn't even tell me his real name, only a fake one. He was also from another state, so I've never seen him again. I will never get justice for what he did to me. I think that's the hardest part. My boyfriend and I have to live with his disease inside of us for the rest of our lives. He violated me in so many ways. I was disgusted with him, and myself. I was so depressed, I lowkey became an alcoholic. I had just started my junior year, and I couldn't go to school without drinking before. I just didn't have the balls to get out of bed without it. Then I realized, I was turning into my father, who passed from his addictions when I was 12. So, I made myself stop, but then I didn't want to get out of bed anymore. School was hell, and I ended up dropping out halfway through the semester. My abusive ex-girlfriend wouldn't leave me alone, and I had nearly succeeded in trying to commit suicide the year before, so I was already having a terrible time. This time though, I really thought I had ruined my life. I would've been expelled and sent to an alternative school for delinquents if I hadn't dropped out. But then, my grandma helped me start taking online classes, and I got my diploma. I even graduated a year early. Now I'm getting ready to start my first year in college studying psychology. So yeah. I'm not sure where my story ends yet, but I'm proud of how far I've come. I used to think I was better off dead. Now I'm thankful I'm alive, although my past still haunts me, especially so in my dreams. However, I've already been through so much so young. I know whatever the hell life wants to chuck at me next, I'll be able to get through it. I've always been strong and resilient, and I always will be.

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Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud:

5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window)

4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?)

3 – things you can hear

2 – things you can smell

1 – thing you like about yourself.

Take a deep breath to end.

From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at.

Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one).

Take a deep breath to end.

Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud:

1. Where am I?

2. What day of the week is today?

3. What is today’s date?

4. What is the current month?

5. What is the current year?

6. How old am I?

7. What season is it?

Take a deep breath to end.

Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder.

Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud.

Take a deep breath to end.

Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment.

Take a deep breath to end.