[vienna]

Hi,

I am new to PTSD and am trying to learn grounding skills. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who might be able to suggest something helpful for dealing with stress stemming from being around crowds of people on an airplane? I needed to fly today and found it to be very stressful, overwhelming at some points. I need to fly again on Saturday to go home and am worried about it already. It will be another long flight.

Thank you for listening.

vienna

[pachyderm]

Take something to read or music and iPod to listen?

[nowheretorun]

hi vienna, grounding techniques are absolutely useful tools in dealing with stress...

spend about 5 mins, several times a day if possible, and choose a place in your mind that is really peaceful.. such as a quiet meadow..

let yourself walk into the area, slowly, take a look around at all the peaceful things nearby.. let yourself get a feeling for this environment.. become a part of it, not only an observer in your mind...

peaceful feelings surround you.. there might be a few objects you can make an emotional connection with in the meadow.. a leaf or butterfly, a friendly squirrel.. something that calms and pleases you...

let yourself feel the safety there for as long as you can...

practice often .. it doesnt really take forever to begin feeling some benefits of relaxing this way.. in time the calm will become your new nature

My suggestion would be to give yourself LOTS of time. When we're in the midst of those large crowds, we have a tendency to go into fight or flight just because of so much stimulus around us.

It's like the energy and chaos turns on our PTSD switch and we become electric and overwhelmed.

If you can get their early, you won't feel so rushed which might make your adreniline spike.

You can sit and people watch, or if you need to escape there is usually some spot that is not so hectic you could chill there for a minute.

I also agree with the music and relaxation suggestions.

It's hard when you never know what might trigger you, but always remember the five senses,

Sight:
allow yourself to see through your eyes, look at a picture, read a book

Touch:
allow yourself to feel the chair you are sitting on, touch ice, hold a smooth stone

Sound:
talk to someone, listen to music, TV

Taste:
eat something

Smell:
perfume, favorite scent

Your senses can help keep you in the here and now.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[PleaseHelp]

My suggestion would be some form of distraction.

I don't function well in crowds, either. At a wedding reception, I played hangman with my boyfriend until things got started. I like word puzzles or cross-words. Bring something to keep your mind off it.

If you're allowed to take an extra calming medicine, I would take it before you leave for the airport.