PTSD can be caused by any traumatic event, and the ones that build up over time, like yours, are the worst.

I taught college for a long time (in the U.S.), and witnessed first-hand what one of my Indian students went through. She was first-generation American, her parents were both physicians, and she got in horrible trouble if she got anything less than perfect grades. She had NO desire to follow in her parents' footsteps, but they kept trying to push her that way. It was hard to watch.

In my own life, I went back to school after nearly a 10-year break. I did really poorly the first time around, but worked my butt off after I grew up some (and had to pay for it myself) and maintained a 4.0 (perfect) grade point average right up to very near the end.

When I told my dad I lost my 4.0, his response was, "A 3.9 isn't very good, Candace."

I was able to shrug it off, but I was also over 30. He tried to pull the same thing on me when I was your age and it devastated me. I think he thought it would motivate me, but all it did was make me say the heck with it and walk away.

Anyway, I didn't mean to take over your thread, just wanted to say I share your experience and I'm really sorry it's happening to you. All that worked for me was time and distance -- I hope you find something that helps you sooner.

Candy