[CedarS]

When PTSD symptoms are up for you, what works? What helps you through the day?

[dottie]

Hi.

I usually cry (If I'm at home)first and then redirect my thinking to something I am happy for. You know...How I've been blessed in my life. Otherwise it would just wreck my whole day. And I would be hard to live with.

[CedarS]

I like that, you get a chance to go through your feelings, plus you make choices about the rest of the day.

A focus on gratitude sometimes so helps me too. Helps me get more peaceful.

I've been dealing with surges of anger recently, they come with traumatic memory flashes. Staying mostly home has helped, I can growl around the house without engaging with anyone. There is also a particular pillow that I might beat up.

Sarah

[(JD)]

centering.

in general - music, a bubble bath, workbook exercises on whichever is going on, computer games, talking to a friend,

then I have things that also work for each type of symptom like -

Panic attacks- music open a window so I can feel a breeze, putting my hand on a pressure point and thing about slowing the heart beat down,

Nightmares - Bath, music, writing, listening to a friends voice,...list goes on

Flashbacks - music, writing, drawing

sad/depressed - music, biking, cleaning,

Anxiety - cleaning, drawing, writing, music,

[jennie]

(1) cleaning while listening to music - i feel in control, see immediate results, become exhausted then can relax

(2) hiding underneath a blanket, grasping blanket and pillow, rocking myself to sleep - submit to & acknowledge the pain

[CedarS]

These are all helpful ideas and reminders. I figure we can keep this thread going as we wish, both to post and discuss various strategies, and to review what works for us.

I am so proud of all of us! We survive and thrive.

Sarah

A friend just emailed me the other day a couple sentences that fit here -

"You are just going to keep finding hope in Hell aren't you. They don't call us survivors for nothing."

I have since printed it out and made a banner out of it and it is now decorating my wall.

[CedarS]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
myself said:
A friend just emailed me the other day a couple sentences that fit here -

"You are just going to keep finding hope in Hell aren't you. They don't call us survivors for nothing."

I have since printed it out and made a banner out of it and it is now decorating my wall.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Thank you! This gives me such a boost to read.

Reminds me of hearing myself tell my gp recently that I am -determined- to live, that I claim my life.

I try to fight off the beast by supporting others. It gets me out of my own spinning world.

It doesn't always work, but I do try hard to stop focusing on myself.

Petunia

When PTSD hit, I try to stay focus on the present.

Time0

[CedarS]

Some of what we have listed so far:

Cry then redirect attention
Focus on what we are grateful for
Centering

in general - music, a bubble bath, workbook exercises
on whichever is going on, computer games, talking to a friend,

then I have things that also work for each type of symptom like -

Panic attacks- music open a window so I can feel a breeze, putting my hand on a pressure point and thing about slowing the heart beat down,

Nightmares - Bath, music, writing, listening to a friends voice,...list goes on

Flashbacks - music, writing, drawing

sad/depressed - music, biking, cleaning,

Anxiety - cleaning, drawing, writing, music,

(1) cleaning while listening to music - i feel in control, see immediate results, become exhausted then can relax

(2) hiding underneath a blanket, grasping blanket and pillow, rocking myself to sleep - submit to & acknowledge the pain

Shift focus from self, assist others, lend support

Focus on present

[(JD)]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
You are just going to keep finding hope in Hell aren't you.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I'm going to tell my T this, if it's ok? It's exactly how I see him!

LOLOL yea its ok to tell him that . in fact he will probably like it as mush as I did when I first read it in my email, and those here when they saw it in my post. I am glad my friends sentence is helping so many here and I think she would be too (or is since she knows I come here)

Yesterday, I have been triggered by a post here and I can't stop the flashback. I'm trying some of the things you have written here but I'm not succeding. This is so hard. It just have hit me so badly and it hurt so much. But I will keep on trying.

Time0

[CedarS]

(((((((((Time0)))))))))

Something from the post pinned up top, Grounding, might help too. Give yourself plenty of time, I hope this passes soon for you.

You able to keep up with the basics of enough sleep, adequate food, some exercise when possible?

Best wishes to you,
Sarah

[__zh]

sometimes we need to stop the feelings and visions and all things that come along with the flashbacks...................and sometimes we need to let them happen and get it all over with.

in that we mean to allow the flashback to "wear itself out" so to speak. we spend so much time restraining and repressing this stuff that it explodes out at the most inopportune times.

perhaps this is one of those times where the emotions and other stuff from way back need to come out and be expressed.............even if they don't make total sense or you cannot figure out all reasons for the jumbled mess of feelings.

(((time0))) being triggered can be exhausting. please do what you're able for rest and nourishment.

kindly,

Thank you Sarah and zh !

I'm getting frustrated at myself, angry at myself for not being able to block it.

Come on now Time0 block it and move on!

I'm sorry Sarah for taking over your thread.

Again thank you!
Time0

[CedarS]

Time0 you are fine, no worries, this all fits under the theme of what works for us and what does not.

I understand the frustration and anger and impatience. Anything you can do to also apply some compassion to yourself might be helpful, I know this is oft easier said than done. Sometimes I am able to think on what I would say to a friend going through a challenging time, then apply that to myself.

So many of us would never treat a friend as harshly as we treat ourselves.

Please feel perfectly free to continue telling us how you are, we all hope your journey goes smooth and eventually enjoys some sunny days.

Sarah