[chikster]

I recently retired from providing assisted living services for the elderly. During the time I was providing my services in 2010 I was physically assaulted at a retirement facility. Right now I won't go into all the gory details about the assault but I do have a question about the counseling I received after the assault. I believe I only went two or three times for counseling and during the last session the counselor said to me, "If you hadn't experienced what you had growing up then the assault wouldn't have bothered you. You would have just gone on." Later my thought was, "Really?".

I did have a terrible childhood and that's a whole other issue!

At the time the counselor said that to me I didn't think to question her about what she meant and I didn't think much about it. But over the years since the assault and the counselor's statement, it has really bothered me off and on. I will say I don't dwell on it but I am curious. Would someone who had a wonderful childhood have just picked themselves up and just ignored what happened? I don't think so but I would like other opinions.

I really did care because I believe I have more worth than to be treated like a piece of trash. I didn't like it as a child and why would I now not let it bother me that someone physically assaulted me when I'm an adult?

I'm not sure this would qualify as a trigger but I'll mark it as though it might be.

[MotownJohnny]

I can't comment on a wonderful childhood, mine was Hell. But, it seems you are a fellow PTSD sufferer. You will find a lot of support and kindness on the PTSD board, you should come join us. It sounds like the counseling provided was inadequate, and perhaps the psychologist/social worker whoever wasn't specifically trained in dealing with trauma victims, so didn't know quite what to say or how to treat you.

[strayllama]

Hello,

I don't want to comment on the counseller, maybe they made a mistake or maybe they were trying to a deeper topic...
But I have no doubt in my mind that being assulted should bother you, as it would bother me. I had a pretty good childhood with minimal issues so don't feel that has a bearing.
I think depending on you as a person and previous experiance's will change how you move on from it; quickly dust off and get back to work or get out of there. But as far as being not bothered by it at the time, I don't feel it's possible.

Hope that helps towards settling your curiousity.

[gayleggg]

I agree with MotownJohnny you were the victim of an assualt and poor counseling for a trauma victim.

[healingme4me]

How would an assault not bother someone, regardless of childhood experience?

Can't say my childhood was ideal, at the same time, it lacked physical abuse, so I am baffled at how a counselor could make that type of statement.

Assaults, are traumatic. period.

[A Red Panda]

Like everyone else... being assaulted is more than enough to be causing trauma on its own.

What your childhood was like could be totally irrelevant in regards to your reactions to the assault. I would have felt really invalidated if someone told me what your T told you!

No matter what your childhood was like, you would be bothered by being assaulted!

On the other hand, depending on your past an assault could trigger a lot of the feelings that have been kicking around throughout your life. That's totally possible too.

[Skywoulf]

I may be the only person who can take that assault and it not bother me.

in my case, childhood is an issue to be considered.
from kindergarten thru seinior in highshool (14 years) I was the kid everyone picked on. also I was an actual slave to my older brother, including regular beatings. (and he has stabbed me twice) so consider this. most people will only take so much before they "Strike Back" not me I was taught by life that if you strike back, the beating only gets worse. I have only lost my temper 3 times in 51 years, and every time the consequences were very sever.

so here I am humming along doing my job, and I get assaulted. (for arguments sake we will limit the damage to a medical checkup and perhaps a few stiches.) because of my childhood my self esteem/image/worth tells me that I had better not fight back, or it will get worse. so what will I do? get checked out, and continue along my merry way.

indignant? yes. emotionally hurt (remember this is another weight on my shoulders)? Yes. fearful? yes.

so much so that the last time someone belted me in the jaw, I smiled, adjusted my hair, and replied "Now that you got that off your chest, what can I do for you?"
(late 80's Draughons Junior College Knoxville TN.)