how does some know if they have PTSD? What are the signs and how long after a traumatic experience should I begin to worry that I may have it? I've had quite a lot of nightmares, flashbacks, triggers, and I avoid certain situations a lot and am always alert and its been around 9 months since my traumatic experience

[Open Eyes]

If the symptoms persist more than 4 to 6 weeks one may have developed PTSD. It is important you see a professional so you can improve and do better.

[puzzclar]

Since you are past the 6 month mark, it is PTSD. When it is under 6 months its acute stress disorder.
From what you are describing, that's exactly what PTSD is. Talking, no matter how painful, does help.

oh.. I always wondered about it but I hoped I didn't have it.. :/ its just I can't stop remembering the trauma.. I want it to go away but I'm always reminded. Whether I go past certian places, and oh god smell certian smells. Is it normal to know the smell of a certain person that has harmed one during a trauma?

[Open Eyes]

Yes, smells can be reminders too. PTSD is "failure to forget" which is why you need to seek support/therapy, you deserve to have the support you need to work through this.

I guess then I should. You see my friends know about what happened to me, but when I talked to them once about it what they always say to me is "just let it go" "just forget it ever happened" "move on". And I just look at the very people that I call my friends with shock because I feel like they don't understand me at all. So I don't really open up to them any more

[Open Eyes]

Oh ((sarah)) I am sorry and I actually know exactly how you feel because I got the same responses from friends and family as well. Unfortunately, when something affects someone on this deep level often the people that should step up with more genuine support do come up with those kind of responses and you definitely deserve more than that kind of "just" reaction.

When something traumatic happens that challenges a person this deeply, what they need to do is talk about it and be comforted as much as they need it. What it really is about is how the individual is in shock, just can't believe it happened and they need to talk about it over and over and get reassurance and comfort while they come to terms with whatever it is, and that can take some time, there is no "just", and it's really wrong to tell someone that with something traumatic. This is something a therapist who is a trauma specialist will understand and help you with which is why I am encouraging you to reach out for that kind of professional help, that is what I finally did myself and looking back I wish I had gotten that kind of help sooner/right away.

I am glad you found this site for support, you will definitely need that and you are welcome to come and vent/ share/ask anytime you need to. You are also welcome to share what happened as well, but I do realize you might need to feel more comfortable before you feel safe enough to do that. There are some other members that share and support here that definitely understand the challenge and are very supportive and caring. We are not professionals, however, many of us have gotten help and have made gains on understanding this challenge and we all share what we have learned here.

(((Caring Supportive Understanding Hugs)))
OE

Thank you very much for being understanding and supportive. I wish my friends were like that.

I guess I can talk about it. Its already written as one of my issues on my profile. Months back I was raped by a man who was seven years older than me. I guess I was a vulnerable person I was always nice, trusting, maybe even niave. I didn't understand. The man goes to my school and what happened was he came to talk to me (I am not necessarily one to start social interactions I get nervous). At first he seemed like a nice person but I learned after a while he wasn't. He needed a ride home so I thought I would be a good person and do a good deed so I gave him a ride home. I intended on leaving but he asked me to hangout but I wasn't sure (ive never hungout with people before, of course im not much to socialize i like being on my own) but I didn't want to be rude. We walked in the house and I saw his mother and I assumed we would stay in the living room and talk. But he insisted I go with him to his basement. I wish I had never gone down there! He closed the door and at first things were ok seemed like a normal hangout since we were watching tv but then it all changed he made me lay down with him and he began to touch me. It was horrible but I couldn't talk for some reason. Then he put the volume up to the music (the song: Nine inch nails closer... I hate this song so much it makes me sick) Then he raped me. I said I didn't want to many times but he never listened. I even remember terrible things he has said such as "I'll make it easier for you" (when he did terrible things to me that I don't want to explain because its so horrifying and horrible. I was horrified.. I left the house and cried in the car and I got home and cried more but I didn't say a word to my parents. For two months the man was very manipulative and would constantly call me, harrass me at school, asking me for rides and such. After the two months I told the school what he was doing to me but nothing was done and a month after I went to the cops only to be questioned for 8 hours and he wasn't questioned as much but he was in another room. I also found out that what he had done to me he did to my friend. Its not fair because I still see him at school and many times have bumped into him.. Its terrible I get this feeling where I just want to throw up and hide..

[Open Eyes]

Oh ((sarah)) I am so sorry that happened to you, that is horrible. Can you transfer to another school?

Even though you told the police, unfortunately they can't do anything without evidence and a rape kit to back up your complaint. However, they will now know this man is a danger and pass that information around. Your friend should report what happened to her too.

I think you should find a therapist, you should see if there is a rape support group near you too so you can be with others who are working through this kind of experience too.

Yes, I wish other people understood how to be more supportive too.

A therapist may suggest EMDR for you which is supposed to help reduce the affects these memories are bringing up in you. I have not done that myself, however I have heard others say it has helped them a lot.

I really think you need to find a different school if you can, it's not good for you to have to be around this awful person. Also, see if you can somehow keep his conversations to you as you said he was calling and bugging you. You may want to ask the police how you can do that.

I don't think I can transfer. I also like being at the school. I just don't like that he is there. And at the same time i feel like if i leave I'm giving him the pleasure of having a better life and not remembering the wrongs he did to me. Yeah maybe the police will watch him but I'm doubting it, with the way they questioned me i feel like they are just going to let it go. Its not right that he gets away with hurting me and others. I told my friend to report but she wouldn't . I don't know there isn't much i can do. And i have little to no faith in the police. Also i am unsure what an EMDR is but i will look it up.