[White Witch]

So, I'm a caregiver to my spouse who has been diagnosed with several disorders. The issue I often come across, is that they either overlap each other, or one triggers the other. Needless to say, it gets very frustrating knowing how to be of assistance. When I come onto a forum, like this, it becomes very overwhelming for me to know which forums are appropriate to post on and how to delve into which one to tackle first.

This then causes me to mentally shut down and not post anything at all, which is probably the best thing I should do. And when we hit crisis mode, like we are now, I wish I had put more effort into it. I could use any recommendations or advice, posting in several forums based on subject seems like a hassle, especially since one disorder seems to mesh into the other. And I don't want to post in one forum , only for it to get transferred to another. It makes my brain go to mush and I really could use someone to bounce things off of right now.

[Gus1234U]

well, if you post on one issue at a time, the Moderators will move your thread to that Forum.... if you post more about the several issues, this is likely a good place to do that...

being a person who has multiple 'disabilities', and lots of experiences, i will try to suggest ways to cope. to start, since you mentioned 'crisis', here is a list of things to do to help get thru that:

Management and Coping Skills for Anxiety, Panic and PTSD

here are some of the Coping Skills i learned for managing anxiety, and found to work well for stress AND PTSD~ i hope you find some of them useful ~

Self Comforting Skills
we are social creatures, but getting what we need when we need it from another is not always available. here are some of the suggestions from the DBT handbook on Self Soothing Skills:

think of soothing each of your FIVE SENSES

1) Vision: Notice what you see, find soothing things to look at.
(i go to a blog that has lovely pictures: C PTSD - A Way Out | A place to check in daily )

2) Hearing: Pay attention to what you can hear around you.
(put on your favorite music...)

3) Smell: Be aware of the memories that smell can bring.
(i like to do aroma therapy. there are many Essential Oils for that.)

4) Taste: Carefully savor flavors that the day brings you.
(keep a favorite hard candy on hand, for the little sugar boost, too.)

5) Touch: Find comfort in touch.
(keep a special pillow or blanket with a favorite perfume on it.)

these are not listed, but i find them handy, too:

A) Reassurance: Tell yourself that you are OK, safe and unharmed.
(the danger is past, you have survived this before and now
you are stronger and more skillful than then.)

B) Take Action: Go for a walk, or exercise or clean house or cook. (use your
body's natural focusing powers to leave the fear behind.)

C) Refocus: Think about pleasant things. Push the hurtful thoughts away.
(have a hobby or a story, or a book that you like, to take your
mind to a better place.)

Coping With Anxiety and Panic:

1. Remember, feelings of panic are just exaggerations of normal bodily stress reactions.

2. Sensations are neither harmful nor dangerous - just unpleasant. Nothing worse will happen.

3. Anxiety is temporary. Instead of fighting it, relax into it. Just let it be.

4. Focus on facing the fear rather than trying to avoid it or escape from it.

5. Stop adding to the panic with frightening thoughts of where panic will lead.

6. Stay in the present. Be aware of what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might get.

7. Notice that when you stop adding to panic with frightening thoughts, the fear begins to fade.

8. Wait and give the fear time to pass.

9. Look around you. Plan what you will do next as the panic subsides.

10. When you are ready to go on, do so in an easy, relaxed manner. There is no hurry.

11. Think about the progress made so far despite all the difficulties.

Some Specific Actions:

1. Manage your breathing, if it is rapid, breathe into a paper sack to lower oxygen uptake;

2. Count your breaths, 1001, 1002, 1003, ect, up to 1020, then start again, slow down the count to slow your heartbeat. counting interferes with anxiety;

3. Delay doing anything about your anxiety or panic, just follow the steps and focus on getting thru it;

4. Distract yourself, with anything that requires you to focus and is simple and handy - at home you might read something easy, like a magazine, or knit or wash dishes, whatever engages your attention;

5. Eat something to replenish the blood sugars that adrenalin has burned up, and give yourself at least 15 minutes for the kidneys to clean out the 'ashes' in your blood;

6. Write these things down and keep them with you, until you have made them a habit

practice these skills before you need them, or when you are just mildly anxious, so they will be familiar when you are feeling very upset. i hope you find this information helpful~

best wishes~
Gus

[White Witch]

Thanks! My spouse has been diagnosed with BPD, bipolar 2, several anxiety disorders, as well as PTSD. Seriously some of these mesh so much at times, I'm left spinning and don't know what to do to help. Making decisions are difficult due to finding solutions aren't straightforward.

Most of what you suggested might help me, more, just because of what I deal with on my end, has left me stressed and anxious.

[Travelinglady]

White Witch, since it's about your spouse, you might try this forum: https://forums.psychcentral.com/part...ivers-support/