This is a support group and community space for sexual assault survivors of Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Wilma or any other disaster. Please feel free to tell your story, ask for advice or just vent your feelings.

Take gentle care, Pixie

I am making this open access until Katrina Survivors have more access to the net. Stories will then be private.

"The Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault is looking for survivors of Hurricane Katrina who were sexually assaulted in the aftermath. If you experienced sexual assault or witnessed someone being sexually assaulted, please call Misty at 1-888-995-7273 or email resource@lafasa.org to be anonymously and confidentially counted. You deserve to be heard."

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Coping with PTSD- what to do

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/treatment/fs_coping.html

Positive coping actions: Learning about trauma and PTSD, Talking to another person for support, Talking to your doctor about trauma and PTSD, Practicing relaxation methods, Increasing positive distracting activities, Calling a counselor for help, Taking prescribed medications to fix PTSD.

Safe place

http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip//safeplace.html

Grounding Techniques

http://www.m-a-h.net/support/article-grounding.htm

Examples:

'Try to notice where you are, your surroundings including the people, the sounds like the t.v. or radio.

Concentrate on your breathing. Take a deep cleansing breath from your diaphragm. Count the breaths as you exhale. Make sure you breath slowly so you don't hyperventilate.

Mentally remind yourself that the memory was then, and it is over. Give yourself permission to not think about it right now.

Hold something that you find comforting, for some it may be a stuffed animal or a blanket. Notice how it feels in your hands. Is it hard or soft?

During a non-crisis time make a list of positive affirmations. Print them out and keep them handy for when you are having a flashback. During a flashback read the list out loud.