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edited by dancingRainbow 04/07/2017 Added new tag list form
Hello! I already introduced myself, I will do it again here since this is a thread just for that and tell a little bit more about myself. I am 29, single, in-between careers so to speak, and in a life period of going through lots of transitions. I am about to go on a road trip alone, hoping to find some answers as to where to go next. I am moving out of my apartment next week and putting my things into storage. I do not know where I will end up. I found out recently from a therapist I am no longer seeing that I have attachment trauma. I am a Highly Sensitive Person, and I also have the label "Gifted." I have official diagnoses of GAD (anxiety) and a moderate episode of major depression, as of this spring, from a doctor I am also no longer seeing. In the future I plan to pursue alternative health care, as I am able. I enjoy doing yoga, going for long walks or hikes in nature, and I have been learning to swim. I also have learned to sing, and hope to improve upon that in the future. I also enjoy dancing, reading, and a warm cup of... well, I used to enjoy coffee but I have been trying to quit coffee lately. So let's say tea and hot cocoa. I miss the days when coffee didn't stress me out.
It's been so lovely to be a part of this community already - so many members have been so welcoming to me. Thank you so much. <3 I hope to get to know you more, and I hope to be able to participate and check in during my long road trip. Take care.
@singercrystalspirit .......... Hi there! First, I'm proud of you for taking the initiative to learn to swim. Good job! That is a skill that I would like for all children, teens, young adults, adults, etc etc to learn. Is it going well? There is so much I could respond to (even though you were not writing directly to me -- ha!) On your big adventure of a road trip (solo?) if you come by my city, be sure to look me up! My SFO and I would gladly meet you for a stroll on the bike trails and a .... iced tea! LOL .... Good job at giving up coffee - sounds hard :( Have a super trip and stay safe! ~ Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370 Hi Platy! Thank you!! I gave up at lessons because I was too stressed out (trying to take too many different lessons and activities at once, I think, plus all these life changes) but I got I would say a solid 10 lessons in and several practices before quitting. I definitely know more about swimming than I knew before, and I could practice on my own. My stamina is SO LOW!!!!
Where is your city?? I am going throughout the Pacific NW. That sounds so very lovely :D :D That is so lovely of you to invite to meet up :D It IS SO HARD to give up coffee. I haven't been very successful yet for more than several days at a time! Take care. -Singer
@singercrystalspirit
Hi Singer :) You wrote to me! ((Platy dances around room)) My city is in USA - I live in a Midwest state.
Try not to be too hard on yourself in the giving up coffee goal. It is not easy. I'm not sure what is a good comparison, but yeah, it's tough.
(Think, think) Oh yeah, that's another thing I need to do on Monday - call our veterinarian! I think I better start a list 
What have you got going on this weekend? Are you starting your trip yet? I'd love to see the Pacific NW in person - photos are gorgeous! Going sailing?
(Platy is yawning...) I better start this going to bed procedure LOL. Take good care! ~ Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370
Thanks Platy :) You're awesome. One of these days I'll be through the midwest. The closest I'll be this trip is Wyoming.
Maybe it's not so important to give up coffee :) You know, now that you mention it... in the scheme of things in life that are upsetting my overall health, coffee itself is probably pretty low on the list. It's probably simply that so many other things are out of balance that it's easier to fixate on "cutting out coffee" (or something else).
This weekend, I'm packing as much as I can, and working. It's a busy weekend, I'm trying not to be stressed and to just... do what I can and not try to cram too much in. I'm starting my trip next Wednesday :-O It sounds like you have a really relaxing weekend planned. Not sure why it sounds that way as you didn't mention much.
You'd be welcome to come join me partially along my trip ;) Meet me in Seattle! ;) I haven't been to most of the places I'm going... so it will be a wonder, for sure. Hope I can enjoy it / not stressed.
Take good care too :) I like that.
@singercrystalspirit Hi Spirit, just wanted to pop by and say welcome to the trauma community, and I see you have had the pleasure of chatting with Platy Im glad to hear you have found being here supportive with all the other members. We hope to create a safe atmosphere for you all whilst you reach out for support to cope with and manage the experiences you have gone through. We are a friendly bunch and I hope that you can feel safe here and reach out for help when you need
@dancingRainbow45
Thank you :))
@singercrystalspirit Your very welcome
@dancingRainbow45 ....
Rain? "your" vs "you're" ... 
<3 Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370
Lol!
@cyanPlatypus6370 You picking up on my dyslexic spelling lol And yes I am dyslexic as I often spell words as I sound them lol But good job on noticing it platy
@singercrystalspirit Good luck on your move! I wish I could move every year because I like the change and possabilities that it signifies for me. Anyhow, i'm new and It sounds as though you are very proactive in your healing and I admire that. I've always wanted help but never gave it the effort for many reasons. You inspire me and I'm jealous of youre awareness in your situation. I'm still in the dark cave but hopefully I'll find my way out. Anyhow, thanks for the motivation and have fun in the new pad!
@Joeg120478
Thank you :) :) :) You are so sweet. You really helped me feel better this afternoon (rough day). It's scary moving into storage and not knowing where I will end up. Or.... I could look at it as an adventure!!!! I am going to do my darn best to look at it as an exciting adventure, and not let the stinky fear ruin my trip!
@Joeg120478 Hi! I'm new too. I'm still in the dark cave too but trying to learn new things to deal with it. Nice to meet you. ☺
@singercrystalspirit hi! A road trip sounds like a fun experience. Nice to meet you.
@wittyTree8219
Hi Tree! Nice to meet you! My road trip was SUCH a great experience. Thank you!!
@singercrystalspirit
Hello! You sound very determined to be the best you, and it sounds like we have a ton in common! I am also 29, single and experience ptsd episodes. I too, am in the midst of "finding answers" and doing some more extreme things in my life. It's a breath of fresh air when I come across like-minded people, especially on here where it can be a bit difficult to "fit in" because of my age difference. I wish you nothing but the best in your journey! Looking forward to reading more posts from you.
Best,
Sar
Hi, my name is Chloe and I'm traumatized. Haha, is that too real? I don't know. But yeah, I"m a 17 year old girl. Scorpio. ENFP. No official diagnosis. I don't know what else to say haha
@cmontroy99 Hi Chloe, welcome to the Trauma community and I hope that you can come to feel safe and supported here. Its a big family of people here and the members are wonderfully supportive to one another, and we as listeners are here to offer what support we can, even if its just listening ear, sometimes that can help some people to feel less alone.
@cmontroy99 ... Hi Chloe! I'm thankful for your honest introduction. I am a listener as well as a member, but I am not certified to speak with teens yet - sadness. I'm here though and there are a lot, a lot! of listeners. I hope you will find one to talk with, as needed. :) Take care and welcome to our Trauma Community. ~ Platy
@cmontroy99
Hi Chloe, welcome! I am an ENFP too!! Libra, though :D
@cmontroy99 Hi Chloe. Not too real, I'm traumatized too. I'm new but I really like it here. Nice to meet you☺
Hi, I'm Joe and i'm new to this site and seeking any form of help at all. I've been "researching" and taking other steps along the way to try and better myself but i've come to learn there are just some questions I wont be able to answer. Anyhow I'm pretty sure i'm suffering from a form of PTSD (for the record I had labeling stuff because everyone is so different) that has been going on from my childhood until today. I had an abusive alcoholoc father, my mother was an unconcerned observer and I spend most of my youth trying to avoid the land mines in my own home. I still spend many nights sleeping with shoes on and many days throwing up as I got off the school bus. Eventually when I got my own place and my girlfriend moved in, I was hoping things were going to finally turn around. We started dating in '99, had a year or so break, and got back together and we're still together to this day. The problem is that she is, what i'm guessing in my totally unprofessional opinion, the poster child for narcissistic rage episodes. Couples fight... friends, family... everyone. She's aims to destroy every sense of your being regardless of who's at fault or what the damage may mean. She's used gaslighting and word salad to constantly keep me in a state of confusion and then proceeds to deliver viscious blow after viscious blow to the core of my being. I've never heard I'm sorry or anything near. Instead it's hate, abandonment, disgust... etc. Now, if you knew me personally, I'm the person in the room that stands out. I'm funny, charasmatic, friendly and generally, on the oustide, a very happy person. Honestly, on the inside too but only because my supression skills are top notch. The reason i'm here is beacuse the last 5 weeks straight.... every single day... we've had that one fight that defines a relationship. Yeah.... 32 of them straight. I'm here today more confused than every and frustrated that in my 38 years, i haven't spent a single one free from this abuse and fear. She has issues and we're both seeking help and I'm aware that my inability to give up on a person isn't always the best trait to have but I don't feel we've given it our best shot yet. Problem is... I'm spent. I have nothing left inside of me and the constant pain provided by loved ones has me in a situation where i don't recognize myself anymore. I havent laughed in 2 months. I'm lost. Sorry for all the info. Hope you're all having a good holiday.
@Joeg120478 Hey Joe, welcome to the big community family here Glad you found us and we hope you can feel safe and supported within the trauma community. We are a pretty friendly bunch and the members here are fantastic at reaching out to one another.
Its good to hear your taking the steps that you feel are right for you to take. Your right everyone is individual and I too am not a huge fan of labels for that very reason but for some people when they are given a diagnosis or 'label' it can feel reassuring for them to realise that perhaps some of their issues were not them just being silly or stupid but because there was a good reason for their struggles. Labels too sometimes enable people to get funding and therapy. But yes everyone here is unique for sure :)
Im sorry to hear how tough things were for you as a child, and that you went through the experiences you shared in your post. That must have been really tough for you and very painful and difficult for you now with the kind of relationship difficulties you shared. What support have you got for yourself either to work through your childhood experiences, or support and help in coping with the current day relationship problems your experiencing with your partner? Its never okay for anyone to hurt another person, whether its words, or physical or emotional and it sounds as if all of this is taking its toll on you, which is understandable. It sounds as though your partner has their own issues that perhaps they also need help in resolving. Have they ever considered getting help for themselves? You say they don't acknowledge the hurt that its causing for you. How does that make you feel? Do you feel if the two of you were able to get the support you both need that this relationship is worth fighting for? What do you see as a way forward for you in coping with all of this? How do you see the behaviour of your partner stopping?
@Joeg120478 Hi Joe.. and welcome!.. glad you have joined us here. So sorry to hear what you have been through and how difficult it has been for you recently. You know we often find our selves in relationships with someone who is not the same as our abusers from chilhood, but who continues to treat us in a similar way. Its almost as if we attract them.. but I think more about our learned patterns of behavior which continue to play out in the adult rellationship. Good for you for researching and wanting change.Can you and your partner each work on your own iissues for a time.. is there a willingness to do this? Just know you are not alone, we are here with you in support.
Hi? I don't really know what to tell about myself. I'm knid of shy ahah I went to the support group for trauma of yesterday and feel like I need to work on my experiences more so I can just... move on about all this. So I just found you here :)
@Zombii Welcome to the Trauma community Zombii. Glad you found us and I hope that you will feel safe here. We have some fantastic members and listeners who are wonderfully supportive. Im glad too you found our chat the other day. If you take a look on the Trauma Sub Community page, we list details of when our sessions are held along with the times if this is of help to you. I hope you can continue to reach out for support here. Healing from trauma takes time, but you have a lot of people here who would be only to willing to walk alongside you as you work through the issues you need to
@Zombii Hi. I'm new too. I'm kind of shy but getting a little better. I like to help. Nice to meet you. I like it here☺
Hey everyone! I'm Arianna a listener here at 7 cups :) I joined 7 cups (as a listener) on my 15th birthday which is kinda cool because next year I'll have 2 things to celebrate. My birthday and my 1st 7 cups anniversary! I'm gonna be joining the grounding team as soon as I have all of my requirements. So I'll defiantly see all of you all through the forums! Thank you for accepting me in this lovely community :) I hope I do not disappoint <3 Have a great day everyone!
@AriannaPink
Hey, a warm welcome to you! Glad you have joined us here and look forward to seeing you around. Agree you'll have 2 celebrations next birthday!
@rozie
Hey Rozie thank you for the kind welcome, it's much appreciated! :D Yeah next year will defiantly be more celebratory... I'll be turning 16 and will have been here as a listener for exactly 1 year all in the same day, wow! I'm excited for the adventures to come this year, next year, and every year that I'm here at 7 cups to come!
@AriannaPink Good to have you here Arianna and been good getting to know you :) You will be a welcome addition to our team :)
Aww thank you @dancingRainbow45 <3
Hi.
I normally am never at a loss for words but I am terrified to be here.
Terrified to admit these thing to myself.
And they shall stay to myself for the time being....
But I am so greateful for this forum being here <3
@blissedNblessed Hello! I know what you mean. I can relate. I'm new here too, but from what I've gathered, its safe. I hope it helps to be here! <3
@stillwaters23 : Thank you so much for reaching out to me with this safe and warm welcome.
It really helped me not feel so alone and feel part of this forum /group - so really, thank you.
Sadly - feeling safe is really hard for me now...
but I have hopes that it will improve :)
...It has to, right?
@blissedNblessed When you're at rock bottom, the only way to go is up. It will get better. There is always always always hope. No one can take that away. No matter who or what is around or not around, no one can take that away. You're so welcome! I understand the need to feel like you're not alone. I think that's what led me here myself...
@blissedNblessed Hey blessed welcome to the trauma community. It can be a really scary step to enter a community like this when you have had traumatic experiences, a bit like stepping into the unknown but I hope over time you come to feel safe here. There is a great community here, who try very hard to be there for one another, and I hope you feel able to reach out for support when you need. You do not have to share anything unless you want to, you can just sit and be with us when you need
@dancingRainbow45 :
Thank you so much !!!!
It is def scary being here but thank you for the wonderful welcome and letting me know I can just sit and be with you all when needed - with no pressure to share.
that makes coming here a lot easier.
thank you so much <3
Hello everyone. I'm new here. I just joined 7 cups last night, and found this community today. I've been diagnosed by a therapist to have PTSD from a couple incidents in my life. Ive had 3 therapists throughout school (college). I graduated, so I don't have anymore access to free counseling.... which kind of led me here. I'm also going through a break up from an emotionally abusive guy who I was with for almost 6 years. So yeah... I'm here.
@stillwaters23:
Welcome to 7 cups!
I have been around cups for a while and it is a loving and kind community.
Just as you have been to me.
I know we can both help each other out and we also have this great group of people in this forum too.
@blissedNblessed thank you that means a lot!! 💜
@stillwaters23 Hey Waters, welcome to the trauma community. Im sorry you have had the experiences you mentioned and I hope that you feel safe here with others who have some appreciation of what you are dealing with and are able to reach out for support when you need. This is a supportive community here with lots of members who are there for one another daily and I hope you can reach out when you need
@dancingRainbow45 thank you I will be using the resources for sure :)
@stillwaters23 Its good to have you here, you are amongst friends :)
@stillwaters23
Hi waters :) Welcome.
@singercrystalspirit Hello! 😊
@stillwaters23
😁
@stillwaters23
A warm welcome to you! glad you're here with us.
@dancingRainbow45
Hi here's something about me..
Im shade and I'm 18 years old. I graduated from high school this year and I've also been moved to adult side for 6 months now. I struggle with depression, anxiety and trauma. I don't have hobbies anymore but I love sports and especially basketball.
@sensitiveShade5337 Hey Shade good to see you hear. How does it feel being on the adult side? Sounds like you have been through a lot shade and Im glad you feel able to reach out for support here. I dont know a lot about basketball but do you play it?
@dancingRainbow45
Hey thanks!
Adult side is more 'free' meaning that teen side was really strict and you were more protected there! It feels good being here except the part of the warnings I get for putting myself in trouble.
I used to play basketball in a team for 6 years but I stopped and I really miss playing!
Hi. I'm new here and trying to figure out how everything works. I have PTSD from 2 abusive relationships, depression and bad anxiety. Working on letting go of my anger. Told the second one off tonight in an email cuz he's in prison. I was still comminicating with him and helping with phone calls and such but he hasn't changed a bit. I was just his secretary in trying to get help.in getting out. Our relationship sucked, he ignored me, wouldn't listen when I talked but he was Mr comedian. Took over every is it or con eraation, flirted with all women, acted like I was annoying, and finally cheated on me texting and in real life. Caught him red handed but he still wouldn't admit it and never once apologized for anything. He told me once he never says he's sorry. So I let it all out, and have been awake all night. Trying to let go of my anger and start healing somehow. I'm 56 and had this problem since I met my ex husband at 18. I've had a lot of tears and some suicidal thoughts. But I have grandkids to live for. On here for support.
@wittyTree8219 Hey Witty, welcome to the trauma community :) Good to have you hear with us, and thank you for sharing about the experiences that have led to you having PTSD. depression and anxiety.
It can suck to be in the kind of relationship that your described and it sounds as if it was a really unhealthy one for you to be in. Abusive relationships can be very tough to cope with, and its not uncommon for those who are the ones being abusive, to put the other person down, make their partner feel bad about themselves, perhaps even lay responsibility for everything on everyone else. How does it feel you have never heard a sorry for what you were put through?
Im glad you have reached out here and can get the support you need. You have a lot to live for, dont allow those who have hurt you to take anymore from you. Live for you, live for your grandkids and live to show anyone who has hurt you, how strong you are within
@dancingRainbow45. Thanks! It feels good to be here☺
Hi I'm Raven, it's nice to meet you alle. I have been a listener here since late January, though I have been working support for decades. I am a 48 year olde Transsexual Woman. I am a Veteran of two armies and two wars. I have volounteered for the American Red Cross Disaster Service, doing Disaster Relief and Psychological First aid. I've also hit massive low points and been corrupted into being a sex slave and forced sex worker. I have worked very hard to bring myself back to humanity and happiness. I have mostly been in the trenches here doing 1 on 1 chats primarilly tending to sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual addiction, stigmatized sexuality, past/present/future sex workers, Traumatic Experiences, P.T.S.D., Veterans, and LGBTQ+ issues. Basicly when my light here goes green I am a very busy girl lol. Recently I saw a post drawing me to this community, and I realized it is where I belong. I look forward to meeting you alle and I hope I may be of best service here. :)
@Raveninthelabrynth Hey Raven good to see you here and welcome Its good to have your here with us and it sounds as if you have gone through much in your life, and I admire your honestly in sharing that here. It also sounds as if your using your experiences to now help others and thats a very powerful thing to do. You are a true survivor from what you have gone through and I hope you gain in strength each day. Im glad there was a post here that resignated with you and drew you to this community and I hope you find it to be a supportive one, offering hope and support
@Raveninthelabrynth. HI. Nice to meet you. Sounds like you've done a lot of good things even though going through a lot yourself. You should be proud of yourself. I'm kinda new here too. It's nice to talk to people who understand isn't it. Hugs
@wittyTree8219 Indeed it is nice :) Thank you for your encouragement. I never think about how much I have been through, this is irrelevant to me. pain and woe is pain and woe. It's not how much we can take, it's how we take it. The way I have learned to look at my doom, is that it's exactly what it took to get me to where I am today. :)