How do you cope with working and healing?

[somerandomguy]

So, either I greatly underestimated the amount of emotional reserves I would need to continue working at my often high-stress job while simultaneously trying to process and heal my trauma, or I greatly overestimated my emotional ability to do everything all at once.

I am currently staring at my mile-long to-do list here at work on Monday morning, feeling like I can't possibly do all of this in my current state.

I am my family's only means of support. That's never really bothered me before now. But now I feel tremendous pressure! If I can't work, we don't eat. We can't live.

My job isn't terrible. I don't enjoy doing it, but my bosses generally recognize and appreciate my efforts. But right now I feel like I'm going to break down every five minutes. I know that I just need to suck it up and do each item step by step, like I always do. But right now I feel completely overwhelmed.

Does anyone have any ideas or experiences to share?

 

[MyWillow]

Hell. Love my job. Hate the exhaustion.

Working P/T, trying to finish my PhD and a bunch of volunteer roles. Would happily quit everything. Still searching for the solution.

 

[Rani G2]

Hello somerandomguy,

I am currently staring at my mile-long to-do list here at work on Monday morning, feeling like I can't possibly do all of this in my current state.

Breaking things into bits and pieces is not always easy to Do(Still learning this, and it sometimes work, sometimes not),I'd rather enter dangerous terrain, where my warning system becomes activated, because I confront myself with everything I must/need/should Do and achieve. Mental cinema is very real and its never easy to see comprimises, handle things in the context of my possiblities.

Working since 2013. If I dont follow up a good, stable routine things Do become shaky. I work in the medical sector and things can be pretty stressful, especially difficult patients.

I know this post is not helpful really , its just that I really have to get structure to handle it OK.

:-)

 

[scout86]

I'm self employed and that most likely makes a huge difference.

I'd start by considering, carefully, the sources of the stress. How accurate is your perception of the stress level? Are there ways you can change your thinking about "stress" that would be helpful? Do your bosses know you have PTSD? If not, would it help if they did? Are there any accommodations they'd be willing to make that would help?

 

[FauxLiz]

@somerandomguy i understand your struggle. Working full time as the only source of income form my kids and I has placed an enormous weight/pressure on me to be a superhero and do everything. I have done some for decades and managed, however last fall a couple of major things changed. My work environment though difficult for years became truly toxic and with my youngest preparing for college I started to really dig into the deep stuff and it was/has been tough. Have you spoken to your work place about accommodations? Many are the same for several different ADA disabilities so perhaps you and your physician could ask for the accommodations without revealing the specific disability. An example is that many of the US approved accommodations for my chronic migraine and PTSD are identical and I can assure you I don’t get the snake eye look as much for my migraines as I would PTSD.

I don’t know if any of this helps I do want you to know there are others that struggle along side you and we will be here to support you the best we can.

 

[somerandomguy]

How accurate is your perception of the stress level?

Maybe not very good. Even when I'm not symptomatic, I tend to make everything a bigger deal than it actually is.

Have you spoken to your work place about accommodations?

Euurrgh. I don't wanna. But I also don't want to wait until it gets to the point where I can't do anything - although I hope that day doesn't arrive.

I think I will continue to monitor the situation for now. I have gotten one thing done this morning, which is good. Maybe just the fact I have a much longer to-do list than usual is making me freak out.

What kinds of accommodations for PTSD are there?

 

[FauxLiz]

This is the site that my doctors and I have used and I have had recommended here before. Depending upon your symptoms and needs they vary.

Link Removed

 

[EveHarrington]

Can you take frequent scheduled breaks?

I recommend this to everyone....

I have alarms on my phone with various coping skills. One is for gratitude, one is for praying, one is for breathing, and I have one slot left. (Each skill pops up every hour). You can use whatever skills you like. Being alerted to use the skill really helps because either A) it will prevent things from getting bad/worse or B) it will help you when things are bad (and perhaps you don’t realize they are bad), and don’t think to use a skill to calm yourself down.

At first I didn’t think the alarms would help. Now I know they really do. All it takes is a split second to see/hear the alarms to break your train of thought....break your train of stress? And do a little reset. I use the app “Alarmed”. All of my alarms are silent pop ups, for those who are startled by phone noise, such as myself!

 

[somerandomguy]

Can you take frequent scheduled breaks?

I've been trying to do better with this. At the very least I try to take a lunch break if I can.

At first I didn’t think the alarms would help. Now I know they really do. All it takes is a split second to see/hear the alarms to break your train of thought....break your train of stress? And do a little reset. I use the app “Alarmed”. All of my alarms are silent pop ups, for those who are startled by phone noise, such as myself!

That might be something to try. Years ago I used to have a pop-up on my work calendar to remind myself to try to calm down. It was too annoying, though, and I ended up either ignoring it or getting mad at it. I'm a different guy now, though, so maybe I'll give the app a try.

 

[Gs172003]

Can you take frequent scheduled breaks?

I recommend this to everyone....

I have alarms on my ph...

That's smart