Hello community,

I have recently been re-traumatized and I have had tremendous difficulty NOT thinking about the trauma. I have intrusive thoughts and trauma memories and associated flashbacks and somatic physiological symptoms. I cannot stop ruminating. It gets so bad that I want to jump out of my body. Because I cannot escape, I get frustrated and angry. Then I go into a downward spiral of suicidal ideation. Eventually I break down and the cycle repeats.

How can I shut this off?!

Most people say to get busy and distract; that I am spending too much time doing nothing. Some people think it is a choice to think about the trauma or not. While this may be true for some, this is certainly not the case for me.

Unfortunately, no matter what I do I cannot stop thinking about my trauma. Even the most engaging of activities isn't enough to shut my brain off.

I am constantly in a state of fight / flight mode. It does not shut off. I have moments where it goes away but those moments are fleeting and I cannot identify the cause.

Anyone else relate to this?

If so, how do you manage to shut off these parts of your brain?!

Thanks,
HD7970ghz