Sorry your mom is being so unsupportive. PTSD is real and can be caused by so many things. It doesn't matter if something happened once or a million times, there is no scale to measure the pain it caused YOU. Emotional abuse is the kind of abuse that leaves all the scars on the inside - it doesn't make the pain and suffering any less severe. Is there any way you can avoid contact with your dad? It is so hard to feel invalidated and you're right, mothers SHOULD be supportive. This was not your fault and you did not deserve to be treated poorly. I wish I had some magic words to make the nightmares go away - just know that you are not alone! Welcome to PC - I think you'll find this to be a very caring, supportive community.