[quote=Rapunzel;3633463]
The first step in recovering from trauma is establishing safety. That can take some time, and it takes learning skills. It helps to be able to develop a safe place in your mind to which you can retreat if you need to - a visualization or memory that you can connect with that feels safe and non-threatening. And you need to be able to say when you need a break or to stop for a while. You shouldn't be pushed to go faster than you are ready.
quote]

This really stands out for me at the moment. I am studying, and one of my classes is called "The Self"...we are asked to talk about ourselves in depth, our history, what we value, why we are who we are etc. This is part of a social work degree. I have been struggling, and having intense emotions, and crying unexpectedly. As well as many other unpleasant things.

Reading this helped me to put my finger on why. I have not processed my difficult history or trauma at all and have been working with my T this last year to just get to feeling safe enough with him and in the relationship to maybe begin looking at all of it with him.

Now, in class, I realise I just don't feel safe....I am intensely anxious, feel really fearful and have so many responses to things that I am exhausted after this one particular class especially.

I don't know what to do, I have tried to be vulnerable and open up to 2 closer classmates, but even this makes me feel far too vulnerable. I spoke to the lecturer today to try to explain why it is so hard for me, but I realise I did a terrible job. I just hope I haven't made it worse. I am actually terrified that everything I say will be used against me....I know that sounds paranoid, but in my past if I have shared my past it has been used to harm me later. Ugh I hate how this sounds and that I am not coping as well as I wish I could.

So, to the OP......I do believe that it helps to talk, I believe it certainly will help me when I can. But I definitely agree with Rapunzel that if it is too soon, and in an environment that feels unsafe it is just retraumatising.