(Blue)
When i have a PTSD episode, it's usually triggered by something. Like if im alone and feel very lonely, a familiar smell, or maybe watching something on TV. When that happens i start to have flash backs of a particular traumatic event. I start to cry mostly and it it feels as if i am there once again. I feel the pain and anxiety of being there..yet I'm not. Growing up when this would happen, i would normally comfort myself with food. If this happens at night, I would sleep with the TV on. That was comforting to me and still is. It's such a scary place and everything around me seems unfamiliar. AND.. this is why I'm learning to ground myself with mindfulness techniques.
Hope this is helpful
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueMoon6
You all CANNOT imagine how helpful your responses to me are. I will do all these things.
SW- Can I ask you what happens to you when you have a ptsd episode? The grounding stuff seems like it will take a lot of practice for me. And I have to WANT to not dissociate. Or catch it early enough to know I want to not go there. If that makes any sense.
Thanks Calista for the article- there is so much info there
Jexa- I think your suggesitons to feel the wind or look at the sky is a very good idea. Often I begin to spin or feel far away while driving or outdoors. I can do these things to stay present.
Tree- Ftt said the saame thing! To feel the couch and look around. ANd I can tell myself, "Im here now and Im OK, Im safe." That is SO helpful. It strikes a chord with me. She told me to take a sip of my drink I had with me (decaf) so I leaned forward and the act of leaning forward to get the cup from the floor was very grouning and by the time I was sipping, I was present. I can become present in a flash.
Does that happen with other people? Im feeling underwater and far away, and then a moment later when I move or look around, I feel more present.
I think like farmergirl said, if I can catch it early on, then its better. I am so used to zoning out that it takes a lot of effort to catch it when I start to "go" or to recognize what the trigger might have been.
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