(Part 2) Best products from r/rapecounseling

I'm not a rape survivor, but I do suffer from an anxiety disorder and I've found cognitive behavioral therapy to be helpful. Basically it involves training yourself not to dwell on anxious thoughts and to develop more positive thinking habits.

Speaking with a therapist is often helpful just because it can help you feel like you're not completely on your own, but often it's difficult financially. If that's the case for you, I've found Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David Burns to be a good introduction.

I'm sorry you're going through a rough spot. You're not broken, you deserve happiness, and healing is possible.

That's really difficult. My SO also fetuses counseling (couples or otherwise).

There are workbooks which might be a softer start for him. The societal expectation on men to keep their feelings limited to anger or nothing in most instances is really a big problem in cases like this. It may be helpful for him to contact a men's group about this.
this page has some info

workbook 1

workbook two

He may not be ready for this yet, but it could be worth buying the second one for yourself and if you think it'd help you may be able to go through the relevant sections with him. I believe this might help him realize he would benefit from more support and change his views about seeking it, but that's not guaranteed.

I really hope you can find a way through this, but at this point you need to prioritize you own care above his.

For nightmares, flashbacks, and a general sense of danger, I found the PTSD Workbook to be very helpful. Safety was a very big issue for me, and I felt this addressed it very well. Then again, that's for working through issues, not necessarily stories that are encouraging/etc.

I can't offer you any specific advice but wanted to recommend this book if you haven't already seen it.

Years ago I read this book "The Friend Who Got Away," it was many women's stories about close friendships that ended for a variety of in some cases bizarre and in other cases mundane reasons. It helped me as I was realizing that a dear friendship had come to an end and it couldn't be helped. It really helped me let go, even though it felt like a death at the time.

https://www.amazon.com/Friend-Who-Got-Away-Friendships/dp/0767917197

It is a very sad thing when a friendship between women breaks up in such a way, but it happens to all of us, and we do move on.

Here is the mobile version of your link

What that guy did to you was not cool. :( Please see /u/thrfscowaway8610's comment here.

> i ... have been thinking about suicide.

Have you thought about possibly reading the Dr. Burns book, contacting a local doctor, and/or taking any other additional steps to try to make your suicidal thoughts go away?

The Dr. Burns book is really good. Various small studies show that, for maybe 70% of people who've finished the book, their depression goes away within a month. The book is also useful for suicidal individuals; see the Amazon reviews.