Going Back To Work After Ptsd

[Notsowild]

I am back working full time after my car accident in July and PTSD diagnosis. I am just finding it so hard and tiring. I am just exhausted - physically and mentally - by the end of the week. I'm just wondering if I went back too early. It was sort of forced on me by my company and the insurance company.
Any suggestions?

 

[ms spock]

Wow you are so brave ! Way to go!

So what types of self care do you already do?

Can you set up rewards for your self each day?

Do you CBT or DBT?

Can you be your own best Yfriend? Can you cheer your self along each day?

Presuming you work at a desk, could you leave a memento on your desk to greet you in the morning?

You could set up a origami or suchlike in your home as a treat or reward at the end of the day so you have a self soothing activity at the end of the day to look forward to.

Random acts of kindness are also a good way to stay connected to people. I got a stack of them into today. It is most rewarding. My energy was positive and I got some lovely reactions and a couple of times people went out of their way for me too. At the coffee shop the woman said they were closed but that she could make me a tea. So she opened the cash register so I could pay and then when she said now the bookstore doesn't close for another half an hour so you can take your time to enjoy your tea, which was rather lovely.

Catching people doing good things and acknowledging that is a good way to go.So writing an email of appreciation at the beginning of each and end of each day or even a verbal compliment could be good as well.

The happiness challenge by Shawn Archer has a great system for building gratitude and positivity. Maybe you can do it on your own. Maybe one day you can introduce to your work place one day.

Maybe you can get someone to sms something like "Stay the Course, you can do it." On the hour for the first couple of days.

Send yourself some flowers and sign them Anonymous. So the talk the first day is of excitement and curiosity.

Perhaps organize a massage for your self at the end off the day.

I have no idea of what type of work that you do, but I hope these ideas can spark off some creative problem solving of your own.

Good luck. Be Kind to Your Self. And Report Back it is always nice to know how people get through!

 

[franciemarnie]

If you don't have to work right now, maybe you should keep recuperating.

My life for decades working was exactly as you describe. Absolutely exhausted by week's end. Weekends I did nothing but recuperate. That was no kind of life, but I had no other choices I was aware of at the time.

Things will probably get better for you as time goes by though it may be slow and you have to be patient. Try to do anything you can to increase your sense of well being with good food, extra rest, etc.

 

[ms spock]

Things will probably get better for you as time goes by though it may be slow and you have to be patient. Try to do anything you can to increase your sense of well being with good food, extra rest, etc.

Could you do half days for awhile? Or could you do Mondays, Tuesdays, off on Wednesdays and then back on Thursdays and Fridays?

 

[Marf]

It really depends on your finances. Part time would be ideal, if you can . . .

 

[Notsowild]

Thanks @Ms Spock & @franciemarnie You ladies are wonderful with all your good ideas

So what types of self care do you already do?

Can you set up rewards for your self each day?

Can you give me any pointers?

Do you CBT or DBT?

Have you done both? Which one did you think was better?
I haven't started therapy yet. So far my insurance only wants to pay for 6 sessions and I don't think that's enough.

Try to do anything you can to increase your sense of well being with good food

I've been thinking about this a lot - food for energy plus any energy supplements. Any sage advice?

 

[franciemarnie]

@Notsowild - because of my husband's health issues when I married him a few years ago, I've done a lot of research on food, etc. I don't have any new brilliant finds that aren't already out there as far as protein, good carbs, fruit, fiber, etc.

But here is my special anti-inflammatory cocktail I make for his heart and bad kidneys and for my GI tract and sinuses. It's a variation on an old world remedy. It is also so good for your skin (luminous!), shiny thick hair, energy and so much more.

3 tbs. apple cider vinegar
8 oz. water
juice of one lemon
2 tsp. maple syrup

Add any or all of the following anti-inflammatory spices (pinches):

Ginger
Turmeric
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Black Pepper
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Cayenne Pepper (Go easy on this one. It packs a punch.)

Shake well. Enjoy daily!

And speaking of sage advice, burning sage each morning cheers me up immediately. Lord knows how but it's another ancient remedy that works for me.

 

[Notsowild]

Could you do half days for awhile? Or could you do Mondays, Tuesdays, off on Wednesdays and then back on Thursdays and Fridays?

When I first had the accident I was off work for 2 weeks and then I started back 3 days a week till now.
I think I should have taken more time off when I first had the accident. I wasn't ready to come back so fast.

@franciemarnie Thanks for the cocktail recipe. I'll try it

 

[ms spock]

Maybe google self care, ground techniques, relaxation and self soothing and see what appeals to you the most. Start with a couple of easy (to you) things and build from there.

Also search through the articles here on this site there are many good and well written articles here.

Use the search feature on this forum as well to search the above categories.

 

[Notsowild]

Wow I've only worked two days and I'm exhausted. I feel like there is something else going in in my body. I shouldn't feel like this. Does anyone know if chronic fatigue is a symptom of PTSD ?

 

[ms spock]

Oh the emotional wear and tear of having a job is probably wearing you out. It is pretty normal for anyone starting a new job. Lots of people go to bed really early the first couple of weeks when they get a new job or go back to work.

 

[Notsowild]

Thanks @Ms Spock
I had 2 days off and the whole time I felt exhausted. Then at the end of my first day back I came home and cried. I was so physically spent.