Some stories don’t fit the stereotypes we’re taught to expect.

In this episode of Forensic Nurse Files, we hear from Dennis, a 46-year-old blue-collar man batlling autism and highly recovered from Bipolar II, who loved someone living with Dissociative Identity Disorder after severe childhood abuse. What began as a reconnection turned into a year-long relationship shaped by mental illness, alcoholism, blurred caregiving roles, and ultimately intimate partner violence.

This is a story about loving someone with complex trauma, recognizing your own limits, and the hard truth that empathy does not equal safety. It’s also a reminder that men can be victims, caregivers can be harmed, and silence helps no one.

⚠️ Content warning: intimate partner violence, dissociation, suicide, mental illness, substance use.

Bluntly Bipolar Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4SttSLOSWCuXploDPmQXN7?si=r6ac8kqFTqmO1CzbAAso3A

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

Call or text 988 from any phone in the United States

Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention:

https://www.strangulationtraininginstitute.com/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!

Today we welcome Fairy back as she shares parts of her story in moving through the troubled teen industry.

Fairy’s TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@positivepeercult_

Resources:

Survivors Unrestrained:

https://survivorsunrestrained.org/

Kids Over Profits:

https://kidsoverprofits.org/

SUPPORT:

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

Call or text 988 from any phone in the United States

Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention:

https://www.strangulationtraininginstitute.com/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!

In today’s episode, our guest Fairy shares details about an abusive relationship and gives some insight into some Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that she endured.

Fairy’s TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@positivepeercult_

SUPPORT:

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

Call or text 988 from any phone in the United States

Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention:

https://www.strangulationtraininginstitute.com/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!

Sam is a disabled veteran whom was raised in an abusive household. He was sexually assaulted at age 11 by a member of his mother's former church and is a survivor of intimate partner violence. Today he shares parts of his story in hopes that it will help others.

SUPPORT:

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

Call or text 988 from any phone in the United States

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!

Today, special guest and author, Pamela Topjian, shares in depth details about her inspirational life story. Tune in as she talks dealing with ACEs, trauma and abuse...but most importantly, that you CAN overcome.

Amazon link to Pamela Topjian's books:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Pamela-M.-Topjian/author/B09P5M69CF?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1728537268&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

SUPPORT:

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

Call or text 988 from any phone in the United States

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!

*TW: THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES THE TOPIC OF SUICIDE*

Benjamin Osgood is a former Army infantryman and veteran of the Global War On Terror. After 13 years of service, which took him from the deserts of Afghanistan to the mountains of Alaska, he has settled down with his wife to focus on writing and self-recovery. Ben hopes to bring something that others might enjoy to the world through his writing.

Ben's info:

https://linktr.ee/BenOsgood.Pub

SUPPORT:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!

Thomas Banta is a Trauma Counseling Specialist focused on psychotherapy for healing and recovery of trauma related symptoms. From addiction to PTSD, today he discusses symptoms, treatment options and how to go about getting help with Elli and Ree.

Thomas Banta Trauma Specialist Counseling:

https://bantacounseling.com/

September is National Suicide Awareness Month. In the United States you can call or text 988 from any phone 24 hours a day to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Conversations are both free and confidential.

Wear yellow to show your support for suicide prevention!

SUPPORT:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!

Today Ellie and Ree are talking more about ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) with author of memoir "Bye-Polar Enlightenment", Rick Sharbau. You can purchase Rick's book here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDJNMZ4P?ref=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_M68KS8W1D8GJF6AZ03ED&ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_M68KS8W1D8GJF6AZ03ED&social_share=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_M68KS8W1D8GJF6AZ03ED&language=en_US&skipTwisterOG=1

September is National Suicide Awareness Month. In the United States you can call or text 988 from any phone 24 hours a day to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Conversations are both free and confidential.

Wear yellow to show your support for suicide prevention!

SUPPORT:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

https://afsp.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime:

https://victimsofcrime.org

Victim Connect Resource Center:

https://victimconnect.org

National Crime Victim Bar Association:

https://victimbar.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

https://www.nami.org/help

HOW TO REACH US:

Website: forensicnursefiles.com

Gmail: forensicnursefilespod@gmail.com

IG/Facebook: @forensicnursefiles

Tiktok: @forensicnursefilespod

Are you a nurse or healthcare provider in the forensics field? Are you a victim of assault? Reach out to us! We would love to feature you or your story anonymously on an episode!