Emotions - I guess an emotional rollercoaster is part of the healing process, right?

[the10thleper319]

Being aware of the roller coaster… to the extent of taking steps to dismantle it, & until then diminish the effects on my life, I would say is part of the healing process.

But just because the rollercoater is there? Doesn’t mean I’m doing anything about it. Or that I’m not doing anything about it.

One of those double edged things, with cyclical & reactive disorders.

Dysreg is a symptom. Symptoms are gonna show up, sometimes.

Thank you. Surprisingly I woke up happy this morning. How do I dismantle it? When I feel sad or bitter I end up in bed, my safe zone.

 

[Friday]

When I feel sad or bitter I end up in bed, my safe zone.

Does that help?

 

[the10thleper319]

Does that help?

Yes, because the sadness, bitterness or anhedonia is so strong. For years my bed/rest/sleep as been my go-to refuge.

 

[Tinyflame]

If I can't unearth the cause ok; then let's remedy it. Remedy of the problem is the goal.

^^ Sometimes I just have to 'do'. Because I might know what's contributing to the anxiety, but can't remedy it. To stop thinking, perhaps focus on one saying.

Symptoms are gonna show up, sometimes

^^ I think this is true. The body-mind connection too.

Surprisingly I woke up happy this morning.

^^ This is wonderful! Take the win! Hopefully there are more and more days like that. Being patient with myself is very difficult also. (For me anyway).

Let yourself relax if you can.

 

[the10thleper319]

^^ Sometimes I just have to 'do'. Because I might know what's contributing to the anxiety, but can't remedy it. To stop thinking, perhaps focus on one saying.

^^ I think this is true. The body-mind connection too.

^^ This is wonderful! Take the win! Hopefully there are more and more days like that. Being patient with myself is very difficult also. (For me anyway).

Let yourself relax if you can.

Thank you so much!

 

[the10thleper319]

I woke up sad just now because I wish I could do more, especially around the apartment. Instead I am in bed, my safe zone. I counteracted it with self-compassion and self-understanding: I am healing from trauma, and there will be happy and sad moments--it's all part of the healing process, I know this sadness is a natural response. It is, though, still a battle as I mourn what was lost due to continuing health challenges started four years ago, and my current incapacity to stay in bed.

 

[MysticMeerkat]

it is in my case. the longer i have repressed emotions, the more intense and prolonged the rollercoaster ride. emotions which i have repressed since early childhood seem to need more than one ride on the coaster. it feels as though my inner child needs the constantly repeated assurance that yes, child, somebody cares, with all the intensity you craved way back when.

the good news in my case is that once i quit treating my emotions like a nationally declared enemy, the ride got much, much easier. i have even started to see the blessings within that terrifying ride.

Boy, this I can relate to! I have never thought of it, that repressed emotion might lead to more intense rollercoastering. I hold back SO much. It’s become a way of life, and it’s a hard habit to break. Had a doozy of an emotional flashback this morning, and it took me way too long to call for help. I used to just stuff it, so I guess there’s improvement! Thank you for your insight.

 

[the10thleper319]

I woke up this morning not sad or bitter, and with the urgency to stay in bed much less! I actually want to do stuff around the apartment today! I accept emotional healing will be a roller coaster and take time. I will push my emotions and abilities to get out of bed and do things as best as I can. At the same time I know my limits, whether the anxiety or anhedonia is high or the need for the safe zone bed is urgent. Acceptance, self-compassion and self-understanding are key components in my recovery.

 

[Tinyflame]

That is great @the10thleper319 ! I was thinking, just for me it's not so much a rollercoaster as it is like walking on ice, a thin slice of hope then when it's sliced doesn't take much to knock me down, or out. Even being cautious or aware I don't always see it coming. Not rising or falling as much as tenuous? If that makes sense? I think ptsd is like having burnt out the ability to roll easily with stressors, so it's a lot of work to be mindful of them and the effects they hit us with, or to get a system to build up tolerance. Internal stressors and what we tell ourselves, and external ones.

I think it takes time, to mourn also, and trying to make it faster makes it worse as by nature it requires denying it.

Best wishes to you.

 

[the10thleper319]

That is great @the10thleper319 ! I was thinking, just for me it's not so much a rollercoaster as it is like walking on ice, a thin slice of hope then when it's sliced doesn't take much to knock me down, or out. Even being cautious or aware I don't always see it coming. Not rising or falling as much as tenuous? If that makes sense? I think ptsd is like having burnt out the ability to roll easily with stressors, so it's a lot of work to be mindful of them and the effects they hit us with, or to get a system to build up tolerance. Internal stressors and what we tell ourselves, and external ones.

I think it takes time, to mourn also, and trying to make it faster makes it worse as by nature it requires denying it.

Best wishes to you.

Thank you! I like your thin ice analogy. You're right about mourning. I mourn the loss of the past four years and what my life has become. I realize this is natural and part of the healing process.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes it can be so hard @the10thleper319 to feel it will be alright, or we will get through this. Let alone that it can be much better than we feared. Inches and minutes at a time.

Hugs to you.

 

[the10thleper319]

Yes it can be so hard @the10thleper319 to feel it will be alright, or we will get through this. Let alone that it can be much better than we feared. Inches and minutes at a time.

Hugs to you.

Thank you so much, especially the hugs. Right back you.