Abuse

I have been suffering very badly with nightly hallucinations of my abuser (he always looks as he did when I was 7 years old). I see him behind me in reflective surfaces like windows and mirrors at night (so have covered all these up) and when I see him, he can appear from behind doors, pop up behind me or sometimes I feel as though I have his hand on my shoulder or he is behind me. Every night is like a horror movie - with jump scares and a continued sense of foreboding.

Has anyone else suffered with these symptoms and if so, how have you coped?

I have found that they lead to intense flashbacks, where I black out and fall or I try to find a corner to hide in. When I come too and aware, I feel like a child for the rest of the evening, so it has led to insomnia and a fear of closing my eyes.

I have been waiting on a therapists list for over 12 months now and have just been told I have another 3-6 months to go before a therapist will become available.

I haven't had the opportunity to share my past in full with anyone and was wondering if this would help exercise the demons of constantly seeing him, every night?

If anyone has had a similar experience or can offer me any guidance on how to cope with these symptoms for the next 3-6 months, I would be forever grateful.

Sending thoughts of love and hope to you all xx

I have been suffering very badly with nightly hallucinations of my abuser (he always looks as he did when I was 7 years old). I see him behind me in reflective surfaces like windows and mirrors at night (so have covered all these up) and when I see him, he can appear from behind doors, pop up behind me or sometimes I feel as though I have his hand on my shoulder or he is behind me. Every night is like a horror movie - with jump scares and a continued sense of foreboding.

Has anyone else suffered with these symptoms and if so, how have you coped?

I have found that they lead to intense flashbacks, where I black out and fall or I try to find a corner to hide in. When I come too and aware, I feel like a child for the rest of the evening, so it has led to insomnia and a fear of closing my eyes.

I have been waiting on a therapists list for over 12 months now and have just been told I have another 3-6 months to go before a therapist will become available.

I haven't had the opportunity to share my past in full with anyone and was wondering if this would help exercise the demons of constantly seeing him, every night?

If anyone has had a similar experience or can offer me any guidance on how to cope with these symptoms for the next 3-6 months, I would be forever grateful.

Sending thoughts of love and hope to you all xx

I have been suffering very badly with nightly hallucinations of my abuser (he always looks as he did when I was 7 years old). I see him behind me in reflective surfaces like windows and mirrors at night (so have covered all these up) and when I see him, he can appear from behind doors, pop up behind me or sometimes I feel as though I have his hand on my shoulder or he is behind me. Every night is like a horror movie - with jump scares and a continued sense of foreboding.

Has anyone else suffered with these symptoms and if so, how have you coped?

I have found that they lead to intense flashbacks, where I black out and fall or I try to find a corner to hide in. When I come too and aware, I feel like a child for the rest of the evening, so it has led to insomnia and a fear of closing my eyes.

I have been waiting on a therapists list for over 12 months now and have just been told I have another 3-6 months to go before a therapist will become available.

I haven't had the opportunity to share my past in full with anyone and was wondering if this would help exercise the demons of constantly seeing him, every night?

If anyone has had a similar experience or can offer me any guidance on how to cope with these symptoms for the next 3-6 months, I would be forever grateful.

Sending thoughts of love and hope to you all xx

I have been suffering very badly with nightly hallucinations of my abuser (he always looks as he did when I was 7 years old). I see him behind me in reflective surfaces like windows and mirrors at night (so have covered all these up) and when I see him, he can appear from behind doors, pop up behind me or sometimes I feel as though I have his hand on my shoulder or he is behind me. Every night is like a horror movie - with jump scares and a continued sense of foreboding.

Has anyone else suffered with these symptoms and if so, how have you coped?

I have found that they lead to intense flashbacks, where I black out and fall or I try to find a corner to hide in. When I come too and aware, I feel like a child for the rest of the evening, so it has led to insomnia and a fear of closing my eyes.

I have been waiting on a therapists list for over 12 months now and have just been told I have another 3-6 months to go before a therapist will become available.

I haven't had the opportunity to share my past in full with anyone and was wondering if this would help exercise the demons of constantly seeing him, every night?

If anyone has had a similar experience or can offer me any guidance on how to cope with these symptoms for the next 3-6 months, I would be forever grateful.

Sending thoughts of love and hope to you all xx

Hi, my name is stability. I'm here because I have experienced problems with the law that have resulted in me becoming very paranoid. Its incredibly hard to speak about this stuff with people. Basically law enforcement thinks I'm a potential danger to children and the general population. I'm talking about terrorism and child abuse (violence and yes that other kind). Like I say I've never been accused of anything (I don't even have any kind of criminal record) but there are huge suspicions about me and I'll admit I have made myself look like a bad person. This stuff is eating my alive. I'm an okay person. I feel like I'm spiralling forever, not to be dramatic. Anyone who's been through things like this - as in deep shame basically - please speak to me.

#MightyTogether #Depression #Anxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder

The pure blue sky, so clear and full of life
The sky so bright and pure
The birds singing a melody of the morning
The smell of rain from yesterday
The pure blue sky, in the night time
Almost black, no clouds
The air is still, cold, empty
She stairs at the night sky with dark eyes
Her eyes of a shattered mirror
She lays on a field full of dead white roses stained red
A yellow smile of a shattered mirror
The pure blue sky is so dark
Her wings clipped, no longer a song bird for the morning
No longer stuck in such a beautiful cage
That pure blue sky never truly existed
A bird?
No, a flower
A white rose wilted from abuse and neglect
The rose of nothing
Not purity
Not happiness
Not anger
Nor sadness
A broken mirror that reflects that disgusting white rose
The eyes of a child that is not human
The eyes of a child that is no longer human
The eyes of that fake blue sky with that fake yellow smile
Kindness with no honesty
A dirty child
The pure blue sky was never pure nor blue
Those birds were never singing, there wings clipped and them caged
The smell was never of the rain from yesterday but of a metallic smell
The girl never seen the sky she saw nothingness
A world of no color
No child there
A flower of lies

Hi, my name is Codysmom2021. I'm looking for tools in helping me overcome childhood physical and sexual abuse. I would like to improve my sex life in my marriage.

#MightyTogether #OCD

👋 all I have been a part of the mighty since early 2017 when I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation type 1 and Syringomylia. Rheumatoid, and hyper Thyroid issues run in the family along with other autoimmune disorders, dupitrins contractions and planter fashitis (pretty thats mispelked). We also have Mental health or personality disorders as well.

I didn't ever really come on here till now. After having my son in 2021 I developed severe postpartum depression. It eventually disappeared on its own kinda, it just lessened to depression.I was battleing addiction that had started because of my Chiari diagnosis and decompression surgery. In summer of 2022 i got clean and stayed clean. I went to a psychologist who was in the company of my rehab/general therapist. I was diagnosed with general anxiety, social anxiety, depression, bipolar, and having borderline personality disorder traits. I have recently VERY recently got away from trauma and abuse. I am almost 💯sure I have C-PTSD. Are there other forms of trauma bonding, abuse, PTSD out there what are common symptoms? I have something really weird going on and I dont even know how to really explain it . It i don't know if it's a symptoms concerning my Chiari and surgery site or if its a mental, psychological issue from the trauma. Any similar backgrounds out there? Even not general answers would be appreciated as well. Thnx everyone.

#ArnoldChiariMalformation , #ChiariMalformation , #Syringomyelia #autoimmune Disorders #MentalHealth #BorderlinePersonalityDisorderBPD #DepressiveDisorders #BipolarDepression #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #behavioralhealth #Trauma #symptoms #DissociativeIdentityDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #PTSD #mental #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder ##Nightmares #MoodDisorders #SocialAnxiety #OtherMentalHealth #neuro

I saw a video recently where two people were talking about this topic and they blamed it solely on drugs, alcohol, smoking and bad choices, this is wrong, and a misunderstanding, It is mainly driven by our struggles with executive dysfunctions that permeate every area of life in a world designed for neurotypicals that have high executive functioning.

I want to talk about a topic that is very close to me. My aunt died in her sixties, aside from other health problems, the circumstance I believe were due to undiagnosed ADHD and lack of support, a lot of misunderstanding and a lot of judgements around her leading to critical isolation and preventable early death.

I made a good friend in the pandemic that I believe also was an undiagnosed ADHD woman in her late forties who died in similar circumstances that could have been prevented and mitigated due to the following 5 issues that ADHD people struggle with.

5 Reasons Why ADHD People Have a Shorter Life Span than Neurotypicals

Studies suggest that individuals with ADHD may have a shorter life expectancy compared to neurotypical individuals, primarily due to increased risks related to accidents, impulsivity, substance abuse, and health complications. Research indicates that:

On average, people with ADHD may live 8 to 13 years less than neurotypical individuals.

A 2019 study by Dr. Russell Barkley found that severe ADHD cases might reduce lifespan by up to 25 years in extreme cases due to poor self-regulation, increased stress, and unhealthy lifestyle choices.

The biggest contributing factors are higher rates of accidental injuries, risk-taking behaviors, obesity, and untreated mental health conditions.

However, proper diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes (such as therapy, medication, exercise, and structured routines) can help mitigate these risks and improve longevity.

Would you like strategies to help improve life expectancy and health outcomes for ADHD?

Why Do ADHD Adults Have a Shorter Lifespan?

1. Executive Dysfunction & Life Management Struggles

Difficulty maintaining a livable environment (clutter, unsafe conditions).

Forgetting to eat properly or drink enough water.

Inconsistent hygiene and self-care routines.

Poor financial management leading to stress and instability.

Forgetting or mismanaging medication, missing doctor appointments.

2. Higher Risk of Accidents & Injuries

Impulsivity increases risk-taking behavior (reckless driving, not wearing seatbelts, unsafe sex, etc.).

Forgetfulness and inattention can lead to accidents, fires, injuries.

Difficulty following through on preventive health care (checkups, screenings,).

3. Chronic Stress, Burnout, & Mental Health Issues

ADHD is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation.

Difficulty managing stress leads to higher cortisol levels, which contribute to heart disease and other health issues.

Overwhelm and burnout reduce motivation to take care of oneself.

4. Social Isolation & Support Gaps

Struggles with maintaining friendships and relationships.

Lack of a strong support system, which affects mental health.

Social rejection leads to loneliness, which increases mortality risk.

5. Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

Higher likelihood of using alcohol, smoking, drugs, or food to self-soothe.

Irregular sleep patterns and chronic sleep deprivation (which increases risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes).

Is It Just Poor Choices? No—It’s a Systemic Issue.

It’s not just about making "bad choices"; it’s about living in a world that isn’t designed for ADHD brains. Neurotypical life requires strong executive functioning, which ADHD people struggle with. This leads to constant small failures (missed bills, health neglect, disorganization), which add up over time and take a toll on both physical and mental health.

What Can Help?

Externalized systems: Reminders, alarms, habit trackers, accountability partners.

Simplified self-care: Small, sustainable habits instead of all-or-nothing thinking.

ADHD-friendly financial management: Automated payments, budgeting apps, financial therapy.

Preventative healthcare: Setting appointments in advance, pairing medication with daily habits.

Community & support: Finding ADHD-friendly groups like The Mighty, find an ADHD check in buddy, coaching, therapy, and social connections.

Would you say your struggles fall mostly in one category, or is it a mix of everything?