For the Newbies and Those Thinking of Joining

[Xanthia]

Hi Emodog,

Lovely to see your name.

Each person here has their own tale. Some of us could share how long we've been in therapy or other commonalities. Differences do not matter; your story does.

I feel very happy for you to be ready to "clean the house".

Warm regards,

[IntoTheLight]

Me in a nutshell and I'm very much still right there.

[Xanthia]

Hi there IntoTheLight,

Welcome to iSurvive. Please take your time to look around.

Warm regards,

[pippen]

Hi all,
My name is Pippen and I have just joined. This thread seems amazing to me as I was so scared of even opening the home page yet your words are so accurate and like my own thoughts I found some courage and here I am.
I am nervous about making mistakes and hurting others with my words, so for now I think I'll just breath.
Thanks for being here and caring

[1000miles]

Hi pippen,

Welcome.

I can relate to being nervous about making mistakes, or just being afraid to share in general. I was both of those when I started here a couple of weeks ago, and I'm still both. I've found support here. If it helps, remember there's no need to get everything perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. People here will pardon them. (But no pressure to share either. It's okay just to hang out.)

Glad you're here.

1000miles

[pippen]

Thanks 1000miles,
It's been a long time coming for me to reach out to the world about my start to life and the loneliness it has brought into my adult life. Getting your response has made this step so much kinder .
In many ways I have had a lot of support, though only with psychologists. I fear I will hurt others with my words which feels like I'm letting the abusers hurt more people through me. This has created such loneliness and in some ways more shame for me.
I spent time reading other members stories and realise that I'm really not alone with what happened to me. Other support groups I have tried to attend have said my story is too much and will trigger other survivors. This has isolated and hurt me so much, more then words can descibe. I was shattered and I felt like a freak, too broken to mend. Yet this group has a forum and abbreviations for what I survived which was very sad though amazing to see. I'm not a freak.
Being heard and understood with time and kindness I imagine will help me trust a world that has broken me into a million pieces. I have been searching for a kind of glue, you could say for along time and maybe some one will understand and support me to keep looking.
Thanks again for just being here
Pippen

[Xanthia]

Welcome to iSurvive Pippen.

Just breathing is enough. Please look around, see what appeals.

Our Positive Transitions forum has many ideas to assist - there might be something you can adapt to your circumstances.

Understand regarding "freak"; however, as you have already discovered, there are people here who have similar experiences. I thought I was a freak, unique, until I searched symptoms on the Web. Not only found definitions but also support groups.

Warm regards,

[pippen]

Thanks Xanthia,
I have been out and about today though my mind has been with this site and how I feel. You are very right in saying that many other members have similar experiences and that feeling like a freak is just one of them.
I have a quick question to ask. This morning I stumbled on the area where you introduce yourself and share your story. I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment and for the life of me can't find the link again. I am a unashamed Luddite and computer are not my thing. I think this is the major reason for avoiding online support until now.
Could some one help me please. I have spent all day thinking about introducing myself and I'll admit the idea is scary. I have never spoken of my experience to anyone other then psychologists, trauma specialist and by accidentally during flashbacks in hospital.
I am busy for a few hours though I am hoping to take this courageous step after that.
Thanks again for being so welcoming
Pippen

[Xanthia]

Hi Pippen,

I'm not so great with technology either. I think you might mean Our Stories forum? The only way I know is to click on Board Index, scroll to Our Stories, then scroll to New Topic. New Topic is at the bottom of front page. Give your thread (topic) a title and type what you'd like to share. Hope this helps your navigation.

[Beardpool]

I know I'm really late to this party, but the OP's post was exactly what I needed to see. I was 100% thinking all of it, and was even afraid to go into anything further than the Open Forum. I'm only now, 25 years later, trying to cope and really needed to see those words outside of my own head. Thanks, Wings.