Sufferer Need Help Whilst On Waiting List

[Twisted_Trinity]

Been diagnosed with PTSD, panic disorder, depression and anxiety for 12 years now. Had psychodynamic, psychoanalytical, art therapy, and EMDR. The EMDR has had best effect in that it's helped with flashbacks but not with how I feel about myself. And before anyone suggests it, CBT is a trigger for me! But I have been waiting since April for an appointment and I need to do something because I'm finding myself in some really dark places. I'm not too sure where to start and I guess I'm looking for a bit of advice.

 

[Snowflake]

EMDR didn't help me with feelings about myself. However, my therapist and I are looking at the underlying reason for this-and then do EMDR.

 

[Powder]

This does sound stressful, and waiting for the plan is never easy, especially with PTSD.

For Over the Counter options to help support you through this time, or even for long-term support, I suggest looking into Grapefruit and Green Tea. I am a huge Fan of both because they have made me feel like my PTSD is at 5% of what it was 5 years ago, and I am off all my meds because of them.

I drink daily Grapefruit, locally squeezed, and lightly pasteurized, nothing else added. It's wonderful. I sip a 20 oz. all day at work over lots of ice and then when needed in the PM if stressed. Its a blood thinner. I think it essentially replaces naturally something like Clonidine (Catapress) without the negative side effects.

Grapefruit removes harmful, cancer processes in the body. Whatever it does, it calms and lowers my perception of stress in a wonderful way, and I'm so grateful I moved to Florida, just to have access to the juice.

Second, I drink Bigelow Organic Green Tea. It comes in sealed individual envelopes. Other green teas I've tried have a nauseating taste/odor similar to an overly ripe tomato that I assume has to do with oxidation of tannin. Sealed Bigelow, brewed and iced or one bag in a thermos kept hot and sipped at work, is naturally calming and also very good for you

Both green tea and grapefruit prevent several types of cancer. Both offer prevention of obesity and other disease. So it's also a way to practice self-care and self-compassion to heal the effects of long-term PTSD.

They work so well that if I skip a day or two, I start to feel like "I have PTSD again." How much is placebo or real, is indeterminate with both Rx and OTC. But unlike Rx, these two items have 1000 of years of use with no side effects and several good health benefits.

Some people won't like the taste, and I don't if the juice isn't fresh and local, so I know there are capsule forms of grapefruit that some people take for their PTSD with good results. I haven't needed to try that yet.

Welcome to the forum. You will find much help and support here.

 

[Twisted_Trinity]

Yeah it's never been addressed in my 2 EMDR stints. I don't know if it's really what I need but it's what is being offered.

 

[EveHarrington]

Welcome to the forum. :)

 

[Hope69]

A book that I found helpful was Waking the Tiger, as an explanation of how trauma affects the body/mind. It also introduces somatic experiencing. I'm not suggesting you try this on your own, it might though provide some insight and hope for healing. As for thoughts, I notice how they make me feel. I process a thought as I do any memory, by gently noticing the feeling in my body and allowing it. In other words, feelings accompany thoughts and as feelings change, so do thoughts.
The things is, though, with any overwhelming thought/feeling, it is important to feel safe and supported so as not to cause more distress. Slow is the way to go. Another thing is to notice anything that feels safe, a thought, a part of the body, an image, and just allow yourself to go there, even for a brief moment. THis can interrupt or help lift a state that feels stuck.
I find having a structure for the day helpful. I also need to spend time engaging with others whether it is just small talk or not. Helps me stay present. I also read stories that are inspiring, others who have healed, to remind myself that it is possible.
I trusted therapists to know best, they don't. You know best. You can feel when something is helpful or not. CBT made things worse for me. Not going there again.

 

[LostInCPTSD]

This does sound stressful, and waiting for the plan is never easy, especially with PTSD.

For Over the Cou...

Wow great info - I love natural cures I'm on this first thing in the am after I drop kids at school (which causes me a lot of anxiety, unfortunately) always loved tea but green makes me nauseous so I have to go earl grey in the past.. THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting - I'm actually so excited to try this. I'm sooooooo ready to feel better after decades of pain, and two years of full blown & 'severe PTSD/depression' diagnosis (after a 'small' trigger event I suddenly collapsed, couldn't function, adrenaline pumping so much feel like going to die, got unending fevers (99.6 - 101.8), heart going about 95 BPM about 18 out of 24 hours every day, and painful red raw rash all around my eyes (like a scary, diseased raccoon! lol) I know the natural way is the only way to heal, for me. Therapy seems to trigger me bigtime then I get trust issues as well based on my basic distrust of everyone on the planet lol trying to make it funny sonehow - anyway, thank you so much for the detailed information on the natural way that helped you so much.

 

[Twisted_Trinity]

I'm realising that I'm living my life for other people not for mySelf. If they weren't here I wouldn't be either.

 

[Longing_for_the_sea]

I'm realising that I'm living my life for other people not for mySelf. If they weren't here I w...

@Twisted_Trinity Well put. I couldn't have said it better. I am learning about Codependency because I have always felt that way. Living for others is a family tradition among the women of my birth family... and it is a long hard road to breaking that tradition. But it CAN be done. Living for yourself does not mean being self-absorbed or selfish, just 'living' your own life the way you choose to. Is there anything that brings you good feelings and thoughts when you are around it? Music, art, nature, good food, coffee or tea... the sea? :) Find a place to begin and maybe try building on it just a bit at a time.

 

[Deleted member 34328]

Grapefruit removes harmful, cancer processes in the body. Whatever it does, it calms and lowers my perception of stress in a wonderful way, and I'm so grateful I moved to Florida, just to have access to the juice.

I think I'm going to look this up too.

Heading into a BIG situation and am experiencing so much anticipatory anxiety that I increased my meds a bit to help with anxiety levels. Nothing else seems to be working. My therapist and neurologist gave me freedom to do that, so I did. I hate it and feel like a failure for needing meds at all. If the grapefruit and natural teas could help, that would be so great. Do you know how it effects anxiety?