My Mate, Racism and his MH

wandering_chris
wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
in Mental health and wellbeing
Ok, so before I start I want to say all this has been shared with his permission. Yesterday, my mate got a compensation form in the post regarding antisemitic abuse he went through last year.

Seeing the incident details when he opened it triggered him (street names, etc) and he told me he felt like he was back there again, he could feel the wind on his arms like he was in his powerchair and like he was physically there, he has PTSD so its nothing new, but how should he deal with reminders of what happened to him?

Then there's how its made him feel alienated, how he feels like a foreigner on his street and no longer truly British, like, and I quote: "they don't want him here" so there are some complicated issues around identity as well.

Any thoughts?



Comments

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,653 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Hi @wandering_chris I'm glad to hear your friend has received compensation forms, that's a good start.

    I myself have PTSD from being attacked, so I can empathise with your friend, it's very difficult to deal with, but not impossible.  I found a combination of talking therapies and EMDR was life changing for me. I was pretty much a hermit for years before I discovered EMDR.  Hopefully talking will help get rid of the feelings of alienation as well, I'm really hoping your friend is ok. 

    Of course we can't give actual medical advice, but that was what worked for me. 
  • wandering_chris
    wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
    Albus_Scope said:
    Hi @wandering_chris I'm glad to hear your friend has received compensation forms, that's a good start.

    I myself have PTSD from being attacked, so I can empathise with your friend, it's very difficult to deal with, but not impossible.  I found a combination of talking therapies and EMDR was life changing for me. I was pretty much a hermit for years before I discovered EMDR.  Hopefully talking will help get rid of the feelings of alienation as well, I'm really hoping your friend is ok. 

    Of course we can't give actual medical advice, but that was what worked for me. 

    Cheers Albus, he's not as bad as he was, he'd freak out seeing the smallest of reminders of what happened at one point. It's just hard when he sees things specifically about that attack.
  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,653 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    I was even triggered by certain smells, which was very odd! Thing will calm down in time, but I'm guessing things are still very raw for your friend.  So please ask them to be gentle with themselves. <3 
  • wandering_chris
    wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
    bloominthedark said:
    I'm so sorry to hear your friend had to experience such horrible antisemitic abuse. It's completely understandable that details being brought up again in the form could trigger difficult memories and emotions. PTSD is no joke.

    he was lucky to get away 3 guys v him
  • wandering_chris
    wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
    bloominthedark said:
    I'm so sorry to hear your friend had to experience such horrible antisemitic abuse. It's completely understandable that details being brought up again in the form could trigger difficult memories and emotions. PTSD is no joke.

    he was targeted by 3 guys, he was just going down the street in his chair with his yarmulke on - he calls it an attempted lynching, an I can see how it must've felt that way, thank God he got away.

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