[MINIME]

I think it would be great to make a list of things that are not helpful for someone in the middleof a flashback on the phone at the cisis line. Or what would be helpful. I will start. I am going to send these to the crisis line. Feel free to copy and send to yours.

Helpful would be listen to my voice and focus where its coming from. Get up stomp your feet feel your toes ect ect.., this stuff is helpful becasue even if we know these tools when we are in the middle if it its hard to remember.

[Kiya]

hmmmm... a good idea. tho it may vary from person to person what is helpful.
good luck =)
kiya

[(JD)]

Ok, but you didn't say anything that is unhelpful... so I'll start...

Don't tell the person to "just" anything (as in "just" calm down) if they were grounded in reality, they wouldn't be reacting.

Don't ask them to relate what they are thinking or seeing or hearing (focus on the here and now: they are talking to you on the phone.)

[Kiya]

don't try to rush them off the phone, or say "call your t". if they could call their t they would have already done so (most likely).

[MINIME]

I think that it is true that what is helpful varies from person to person. However they have to have already made guidlines on what to do to help. However it was so far off helping it was funny (not really). I think that they need to focus their attention on getting a person grounded and grounded enough to call someone to come over or find a safe place to go. I remember her saying to me I cant be on the phone with you all night. The whole phone call lasted 5 minuts I checked my cell phone. SHe also got mad at me because I laughed at her when she said I could grow from this experience. Her tone changed and she was iratated. Here I was bleeding on the floor and calling the crisis line. I hate the crisis line. One of my friends from way back called them once suicidal and they ignored her. SHe died that night. SO I dont call the crises line for fun. I have to be really bad off to call them. They need training. They dont live in our shoes and what they learn in school or training is just stupid. You dont tell someone who is not grounded not to fight the flashback becasue it will make it worse. Yeah thats safe. Just let it come and I gotta go I have more important crisis to deal with good luck. UGGGGGGG

[(JD)]

I was personally involved in setting up the first toll free hotline for the deaf. I did much of the
training of the phone answerers... I understand all sides of this issue.

Yes, getting grounded IS one of the most important things...but they need to find what ways you
can ground yourself (such as if you have a T, how does the T help you ground yourself?)

Many people calling are in crisis, yes, and are often "catastrophizing." Most are thinking in
black and white, either or... and are not thinking very logically.

However, with that said...when I was first injured and suffering terribly without any pain meds
and with lawyers and medical people who were all bought by the worker comp insurance company (means
no real care or caring) I was often in crisis. I called a few hotlines and was hung up
on more than once.

[MINIME]

I guess I really dont understand what the crisis line is for. I should call them and ask them. If it is to make quick assesments life or death stuff then calling them during a severe flashback/trigger is not going to help. However if it is to help with crisis in mental health issues then they need more training in PTSD. Im going to look into this more and see what I can do. Im feeling pretty strong still since my EMDR last thursday even with the head injury LOL. I really need to make sure that I have all the info. I just cant imagine this happening to me a couple of months ago when I was extremly suicidal. It would have just sent me over the edge.