to ask whether anyone has recovered from a 'stranger' rape

[myoriginal3]

And if so how?
Time ?
Counselling?
Meds?

I am struggling massively. I just want to hear that I can get over this.

You can... I was raped 12 years ago as a 16 year old by a cab driver who then proceeded to drive me home and take his cab fare from my skirt pocket and told me 'we can do this again soon because I know where you live now.' For th next two years I would feel sick wth fear everytime I saw a car go past that looked familiar. I put weight on, i stopped seeing th joy in things...

I have had several periods of counselling but none specifically for the rape, more to do with issues that it triggered, like eating. I, like you, was in a n abusive relationships until recently and I think I ended up in it because of the rape in a roundabout kind of way.

It's taken time for m Me to get back to who I was before he robbed me of me. I still haven't really acknowledged that he stole my virginity, but over the last two years I've had fantastic counselling (for oth r issues but we touched on the rape) left my abusive boyfriend, started a new life where I feel stronger everyday and am currently lying, happy, between 7 month old DS and his dad who are both napping.

You can do it, and I'm wishing you all the strength and love in the world to do so

OP, hope everything is OK. Don't hesitate to reach out for help....

OP, hope everything is OK. Don't hesitate to reach out for help....

Hoping you find the strength and support to get through this, one step at a time

Some amazing advice here

Very best wishes to you OP and good luck with rehab.

I am also in the position of awaiting a court trial against someone who we believe did me great harm. The waiting is endless, the court scary and the unknown petrifies me but i will do it. So will you.

I am also hoping the dreams subside after that. They are the worst bit because nobody seems to have any suggestions on managing bad dreams, we have to believe that one day they will fade and we will continue to know they are dreams, not real.

Sending you strength and love. And a good life ahead.

Just a note to say (in addition to counselling), I found pandys.org/forums (anonymous private forum) very helpful.

Counselling is time limited, but having a group to chat with from time to time also helped, and helps me. I realized I was not alone, benefit from experience of others, and so on.