PTSD? I'm only 13, can I still have this?

I was sexually abused by my father many times by way of vaginal rape when I was very young. All I know time wise is that my mother walked in on my father raping me and put an end to the whole thing. I, at the time, lacked the cognitive skills to know that sex was any different than a hug or kiss. I thought it was just my father expressing his fatherly love for me that way. I only remembered just last year, but I remember more vividly than I like. I now, 8 years later, am haunted with flashbacks, intrusive memories, and irrational fears. Because it didn't affect me when it happened, can I still develop PTSD because of it? Also, I'm pretty young. Can it be diagnosed professionally as PTSD if I'm only 13? I don't trust many people, so I still have only told one of my friends, no one else I know knows. I'm going to call a help hotline, but, because I'm so young, will anyone believe me? My parents don't really know because my dad (the perpetrator) was plastered drunk at the time and my mom refuses to admit to herself that it really happened. It would really hurt them if they found out, so they can't know yet. Is it possible that I have PTSD? Will the PTSD hotline people believe me even if I'm young? Please help!

My dad's still here. My mom's still married to him. I still live with both. However, quite soon, my mom will be moving to get a job out of town... I'll be left alone with my father since both my sisters are at college. That part scares me. He's given up drinking and joined AA, so I hope (and would pray if I believed in God) that it won't happen again. I don't want to leave all my friends here behind just because my father's here. Help with this issue, too please! Also, about the spelling/grammar/vocabulary issue, I just really love English class, and that's the kind of thing I pay attention to.

So am I to understand that you are worried about your mothers feelings as well as your fathers? I'm so sorry to hear this has happened.

It is absolutly possible for you to have PTSD. People have been diagnosed with this for far less trama than you went through.

A bit of advice however, as well meaning and true as your friend may be and I know you need to talk to someone, she's still a teenage girl and I would be careful about the information that you devuldge. so that the whole school doesn't find out. (this from experience)

You really do need to talk to someone. Drunk or not there is no reason for an adult man to have his way with a little girl ever!!!

You have to fix you and not worrie about your parents. (I really hope your dads not still around) It's their job to worrie about you and sometimes they don't respond to talks like this in the way that they should but you have to put it out there and tell them what your feeling.

Definatly call the hotline. Also do they have a mentoring program at your school? This would be a great thing for you. They also have support groups for girls in your situation. If you can't get there in person check out some groups through yahoo groups or do a search for support groups for victims of molestation and incest. Good luck to you kido, it's going to be a long road to hall but don't ever feel bad or guilty for doing things you feel you need to do in order to move on with your life.

don't worry they'll believe you, they're there to help

Call the hot line.

Yes. What you went through was VERY traumatic, your age matters not. Do call them, they won't judge you. That's what they're there for. You shouldn't have to go through the healing process alone.

Yes it is possible. But not likely. I am really sorry for what happened to you. You should go to a psychologist and talk to him about it. He would believe you if your mother "doesn't want to believe you".

hurt them if they found out?? excuse me but F%$# that. you should tell your mom that you need help and if she's not willing to help you you should start telling everyone you know your father should be in jail for what he did to you. i wouldnt worry about hurting them dont be stupid talk to your mom or maybe the school counselor. but DONT worry about hurting them they already hurt you and i cant believe that your mom would let you live in the same house with the man that did that to you

I hate to say this but I almost don't believe a child of 13 wrote this. It is too well written. There are no typos and no grammatical errors. The vocabulary is far beyond any thirteen year old I know. In fact, the writing itself is very advanced. My apologies, if you really are 13.

In case this is real, then yes, the PTSD hotline can help. Yes, you can have PTSD due to a situation like you described.

While the PTSD hotline could help, I would also recommend some sessions with a psychologist to help you iron out the mental and emotional trauma of both the experience and it's aftermath. It will indubitably inhibit your social capabilities, so you need to realize there's a certain state of fragility you are in and just try to work what happened to you and hopefully it won't shatter your view of reality.

I wish you the best of luck.

wow,I am so sorry that happened to you,The line is here to help so they will believe you,I totally agree with Miranda.

Yes, it is quite possible. Below are links to some info about PTSD, plus the other things you are having to deal with. The last set of articles is designed for parents to read, & you could use one of them to introduce the subject to your folks:

Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit"
- "Repressed Memories"
- Did It Really Happen?
http://watchtower.org/e/19951101a/articl...

"Coping With Post-traumatic Stress"
- When Terror Strikes
- PTSD--What Is It?
- Traumatic Stress Will End!
- Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress http://watchtower.org/e/20010822/article...

"The Problems of Children..." :
- Children Deserve to be Wanted and Loved!
- The UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child
- The Solution at Last! http://watchtower.org/e/20001208/article...

"Protect Your Children!"
- Your Child Is in Danger!
- How Can We Protect Our Children?
- Prevention in the Home
- Common Misconceptions
- If Your Child Is Abused http://watchtower.org/e/19931008a/articl...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

www.jesusisreal.org

To be born again .. as Jesus said we must..repent of your sin and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. God bless!