My gf was sexually abused by her ex for 2 yrs. It's been half yr since she broke off. Just 2 days ago, we were kissing and hugging at a staircase when her mind snapped, and she mistook me as her ex, curled up, recoil as if I'm a serpent when I wanted to hold her back . Her body shivered, and she passed out twice. Then she ran up and down the stairs (while I'm begging her to stop), and ended up twisting her ankle badly. She appeared dazed like a zombie thereafter. I wanted to bring her to clinic but she recognised it and didn't want to. Later in the night, when she snapped out of her daziness, she couldn't remember anything from our kissing. She didnt even know why she hurt her ankle.
Please help. What is she suffering from? Other than this incident, she behaves normally, except for hyperventilating whenever flashbacks occurs. She couldnt sleep well, and seems to suffer from sleep apnea (she could dozed off anywhere, anytime within 30 secs). She refused to see a doctor.
2007-05-01 08:22:52 · 25 answers · asked by step_lin 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
It sounds like PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and she probably needs psychological help. Whatever you do don't listen to the Scientologist Dianetics guy a few reponses up, he's a nutjob.
2007-05-01 08:33:52 · answer #1 · answered by Steele Grave 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She needs professional help, from a sexual abuse expert / therapist that can help her work through this. I am no expert, but my best guess would be that some of the experiences with her ex were blocked out (the mind does that, sometimes, with traumatic experiences) Perhaps she was abused in a similar place or something you did (not abusively) triggered her to remember the incident.
She needs to come to the realization that she needs help. Talk to her about what happened. Let her know that IF she feels comfortable, you will even go with her to the therapist and wait for her to finish her sessions. (i don't recommend attending the sessions with her - unless she and therapist feel it is a good idea
2007-05-01 08:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by swan_jun_g3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be a good idea for you to see a counselor just to explain what's going on and to get a plan of action going. She definitely needs professional help. That's my advice to you. I would stop having sex right now and simply be there to hold her and listen to her if she is verbalising.
If you think she has sleep apnea, but she refuses to see a doctor, then there is nothing beyond trying to convince her that you could do. I'm assuming she's an adult. Unless she passes out and you call 911 which would get her to be seen, maybe family could help?
2007-05-01 08:51:16 · answer #3 · answered by VW 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i used to have similar problems as she does, patience and building a strong trust between the two of you can help. being there for her to talk to, even if its something you might not want to hear details about, it can help. try going to counseling together , this way she knows that you are there to support her and she doesnt have to do it alone. also remind her that she is safe now, and always make home a safe honest place to be. it takes time, but if she gets professional help, she should be ok.
please continue to encourage her to get help. a counselor might be better than a dr. the word dr. can be scary sometimes. maybe if you can get her to counseling, then she will be more willing to go to a dr. call your local mental health board for suggestions. but she will probably need help from both a dr and a counselor. im not a professional, but ive lived through similar circumstances, and i am doing great now., but only because i got help.
not telling you what to do. just my opinion. hope this helps.
2007-05-01 08:32:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she does not want help yet, you really can't do much.
be supportive, offer to drive her to a counselor (they are less intimidating than doctors) or a doctor, or encourage her to read some self help books from the library. (with books you don't have to admit to anyone what happened to you, it is easier. also there may be more to it than just a bad boyfriend, often the same girls get abused by more thatn one person. (maybe not though and don't ever ask her that)
she will want help sometime, but it may be years. you decide how much you can handle, and no need to feel guilty at all if you decide to break up with her.
if you pray, pray lots for her
2007-05-01 08:38:31 · answer #5 · answered by enderbean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Hallucinations and Dissociative flashbacks (similar to a psychotic episode).
2007-05-01 08:41:04 · answer #6 · answered by Austin Danger Powers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several of the answers above are good, and I would add that if this happens again, get help or call 911. Do not be alone with her when this kind of episode happens - in her state, she could believe that you have sexually attacked her, and accuse you of hurting her. You could wind up being arrested.
If she is having such a severe episode, she needs emergency help.
2007-05-01 08:52:14 · answer #7 · answered by tiara_askew 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have also been abused in the past somtimes a person may suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. But she should she a counselor for help but i can tell you it is a process Someimtes to write down your feeling help but seing a counselor is what helped me get through the worse of it
2007-05-01 10:52:58 · answer #8 · answered by jaz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shes just still really scared of that happening again she might have acute paranoia or schizofrenia.
but im no pyschologist.
just give her all the love and support your can and make sure that whenever she needs you or wants you to stop to listen to her and be there for her.
and if you know the name of that guy try to put him in jail or something cause i went through that once and its not a good place to be in.
thank god i left him right after that.
well hope this helps you and your girl out.
=]]]]
2007-05-01 08:28:33 · answer #9 · answered by beautiful_lie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter if she won't see a doctor, SHE NEEDS TO!!! You are not ever going to be able to help her the way she needs help. She will spend years seeing a doctor to deal with this if you are serious about what she did. She really needs to see someone. You are the one that has to convince her and thats about the only thing you can do to help her.
2007-05-01 08:28:36 · answer #10 · answered by T Dog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋