PTSD/CPTSD self affirmation
Affirmations for trauma can interrupt and challenge self-critical thoughts by placing the survivor in contact with an alternative, more encouraging thought. Affirmations for trauma can promote acceptance by helping the survivor recognize the validity of their emotions and experiences.
Here are some reminders we can use as positive self affirmation -
You can repeat some by replying to this thread.
.TW
Because of the frequency of flashbacks, panic attacks, anxiety, bad thoughts and nightmares I fell into a state of disconnection from myself and the world. I have no friends and I'm soon leaving my family to live on my own, my only connection is my boyfriend who is sincere, but will probably leave me at some point.
I stopped enjoying hobbies, and I have to force myself to do everything.
I don't remember the last time I showered. I eat 400-500 kcal per day, my appetite barely allows even for that. I started getting infections from not showering.
I also don't like looking at my naked body, another reason I avoid changing and showring.
I sleep in daytime clothes, and the only hygiene i do is brush my teeth (sometimes).
I sometimes sleep for entire days by using my prescribed sleep medication, just to not endure the suffering.
At last, I almost decided to make it a court case, which I will probably lose because laws for TW sexual assault and rape are badly defined (being unable to give consent, for example disabled or drugged, is considered consent) , it's been a year since it happened, and I don't have much proof.
I don't think many people believe what happened to me, and those who do don't understand how heavy the consequences are.
Every single day, i struggle because of this one event, one night. Every single night i feel nausea from the stress and every day I reminisce of it through flashbacks and tactile hallucinations.
I'm more like a piece of paper than a human being rn.
@iamavictory
I'm very sorry to hear about your distress and isolation. The damage to interpersonal trust is an aspect of these conditions that I've noticed can be debilitating, too. In my experience, DBT skills/therapy have been helpful when I'm so overwhelmed I have difficulty taking care of myself.
@orangeTree959
I fall in and out of crisis, and I will be hospitalized again likely
@iamavictory
I have been inpatient on the psych ward for depression and suicidality and been close w 4 friends who had CPTSD, some of it involving assault and sexual trauma.
I hope you continue sharing your story until you find people who believe you and want to help you.
I've finally come to a place where I refuse to shut up about my problems...that has meant a lot of disappointment when the people I thought I could depend on disappeared.
Over the decades, that cleared the way for me to develop relationships with people who are truly kind, loyal, and supportive. At this point, I'd rather blab about my issues and find out someone can't handle it sooner rather than later.
I was lucky enough to go to a good hospital with competent and professional staff. Even though I was voluntary, I still had unexamined internalized stigma and left with the thought, "I am *never* coming back here." But in hindsight, I was safe, got help, and learned a lot in the hospital and would return without shame if I needed the support.
These conditions are treatable with the proper support. Sometimes it's an endurance match to get that in place, and the suffering truly sucks. But everyone on this site is out there in real life, so the kindness and support present here exists some place out there, too.
It has taken me enduring decades of distrust and isolation to find the help and support I need, but along the way, I have benefitted from so much kindness. I hope you find more kindness, understanding, support, and effective treatment in your life.
for me it's been three years in treatment and less than one for trauma. i don't have a diagnosis. however, i can't live normally. I can't function at all. i still have nightmares from my last hospital stay.. enough said about that. i have zero mental support from my family, in fact they don't even realize how deeply ill i am being unable to do basic thinggs. it seems to them as if it's normal.
but I don't want to be hospitalized again, unless it's just daytime group treatment, maybe that's not so bad. but i get nightmares where i am in the hospital again, all the lights are out and I'm trying to escape.
starting a case against my abuser will probably not lead to success since rape while you're knocked intoxicated are considered consensual. also I didn't report it immediately as i should have, because i believed that what happened is normal and ok even though i feelt offul.
people didn't believe me that i endured physical mental abuse and neglect from my parents when i tried to report it even though i had physical proof (like broken glasses and bruises)
so that's why i didn't report sa
i have no friends
@iamavictory
It really sounds like you'd benefit from more support. Not sure where you're located, but I've found a lot of anonymous, free, confidential, and immediate support through calling warm lines.
In the US, NAMI has a good directory here: https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Helpline/NAMI-National-HelpLine-WarmLine-Directory.pdf . All the entries in blue take calls from any state, and the person who picks up is trained and will listen and talk with you. I'm less familiar w other countries, but the Samaritans in the UK provide a similar service.
I got my diagnosis of depression and anxiety 16 years ago and have been in treatment for most of that time. I'm glad I didn't give up, even when I wanted to. Persistence counts for a lot.
@iamavictory
Also, I can relate to mental illness not being seen by family members. It was painful and took a long time, but with support, I realized I was never going to get what I needed there, and started finding it in other places (warmlines, support groups, peer connection, etc).
not so available in my country
@orangeTree959
in my country, no institution is functioning and non-corrupt
I do not need permission for how to live my life. I am worthy.
”it is okay if all you did today was breathe.” Thank you so much that really helped me relieve some anxiety❤️
@Optimisticsoul000
Thank you for this. I needed it.
You are allowed to talk. You deserve to take up space.
@Optimisticsoul000 "You don't need permission to exist!!!" Repeat that over and over to yourself in the mirror because you are worthy and you are so loved!!❤️
Wondeful and very uplifting i think that these affirmations are truly to the point and full of love
@Optimisticsoul000 I love this!
You're allowed to talk
You deserve to take up space
You don't need permission to exist
You're safe
Breathe
@Optimisticsoul000
This is a poem I wrote one time in response to a poem about being too much and instead of being too much I decided I am enough. I deserve to take up space, I deserve to be heard. Another affirmation I use a lot is that I deserve to feel safe and happy and I do NOT deserve the bad things that have happened to me.
I AM ENOUGH
I’ve been told I’m too much, too many times.
Been called needy for wanting my basic needs met.
Been called a ***** for standing up for myself.
Been called selfish for taking care of me.
These messages have destroyed my self-image.
Made me shut down, become someone who’s not me.
I made myself small, invisible, didn’t want to be seen.
But today, here and now, I declare, “I am enough”
I deserve to take up space.
I deserve to assert myself.
It’s going to take time to trust
The world to receive me,
But it’s a journey I’m willing to take
Because today I declare
I am enough.