That’s a great question. I believe it has been part of my life for a long time but I am currently more aware of it than I have been in the past. I also am aware that I feel more disconnected from other people and not as comfortable engaging with people.
I’m not sure….i can’t tell the...
I know many of my triggers well, I’ve battled intrusive thoughts plenty, worked on both regularly. Found greater clarity in managing them, this seems different though. As though I forget to look at what’s coming up. This is a problem because my work relies on planning ahead or things get missed...
Sometimes I can’t plan beyond a day. My job requires me to look ahead several days and when I’m not doing that, I have started to notice.
Is there a connection between ptsd and not looking beyond a day?
I am also left without many words to find meaning in these kinds of acts that are perpetrated to cause layers of harm in their wake.
Our experiences are different but pieces of what I understand about mine may resonate with you. When something we love is destroyed by someone we have no other...
When I’m steady and grounded it’s almost impossible to have those conversations with my partner, but I try.
Lately I’m in the murky waters of my past, so having that conversation will likely not happen.
I absolutely understand that it would be better for both of us if these kinds of open...
Different layers….the unknown is one. If there’s no objective then it’s difficult to plan around. Relaxation holds pressure for me cuz I don’t know if it will be successful. My partner puts a lot of stock into how successful a vacation is by if I seem relaxed and connected.
Intimacy is a lot of...
I’m wondering if this occurs for others and may or may not be connected with ptsd….
Vacation alone ——> yay!! No stress, no worry. Whatever comes up you’ll handle like a pro. You look forward to it
Vacation with significant other/friend/family ——> stress spikes and you’d rather not go.
Great! I don’t know if you’re someone who is exceptionally hard on themselves and holds themselves to an exceedingly high standard. Many of us on the forum are by virtue of some of our experiences unfortunately….so, that “doing” you write of, means a lot.
Don’t forget though, it’s ok to do...
That down mood can do so much to keep us immobile and it’s difficult to break it when it sets in. You have A LOT going on, it’s no wonder that it’s challenging you to the core right now. If there were no flashbacks it could be more manageable but with those, it’s like your feet keep slipping out...
Can you write out the things you need to get done and assign priorities to them?
Sometime when this happens, it can seem impossible to know where to even start because everything feels critically important.
Is that how it feels for you? Perhaps putting them down and crossing them off could...
Great thread. Unfortunately I’m in the same boat with you and don’t have any counters.
In fact, was asked recently in therapy - could you do without sex, any form, even masturbation?
No hesitation. Yes.
It’s complicated yeah? I’m with you.
I am still working on it though….
Mmmhmmm, nodding with that heavy look.
I know from here you’ve mentioned a very awesome family network you have.
But…..I also know from my own experiences that familia can be wonderful at certain times and epically horrid at others.
Is this one that someone from that side of your life can...
Relate with so many of you on this topic. Great thread, thanks for starting it!
Often feels like my entire energy stores have been drained without my noticing, body is sore from being tense, eyes are gritty as though I’ve been up for days. Takes focus to drive home like that.
Other days, I’m...
Heartfelt sorrow for your loss, these are difficult times and I hope that you can find comfort and warmth. Eventually taking in all the amazing memories, photos, and love from your life together.
I get the same thing when catching breath from cold dry air. Most times anything causing me to gasp for more than a few seconds is going to activate that memory and survival response.
For me one of the things I’ve worked on is awareness - trigger? Yep. Where, when, how am I. Am I surviving...
Yup, that’s a here and now fright…not a bubble from the past where you gotta do the work to convince yourself that you’re safe.
I don’t know how else your neighbour behaves, but what they did is a definite NOPE!
Perhaps you can build the sense of protection you have in your home to lower the...
Viewing the world around us with a filter that’s set to identify threats and danger is one of the unfortunate features of ptsd. Even though it’s possible to focus on the positive and remain optimistic, there is often a tendency to notice the negative by default….as a survival mechanism of...
Hey there, exposure therapy is a big step and looks like you’re in the mind space to get there! Not easy as I figure you already know, and why you’re stacking on grounding and coping techniques. Those are gonna be vital.
Like you said, everyone’s roadmap will be different. I’m gonna share a...
I did not write in my post as you’ve written here that I’m “averse to medication in all circumstances besides near death”.
I wrote:
I agree with you that a conversation with any prescriber about the nature and intention of any controlled substance prescribed is important, and one that every...
hey, with you as well in the memory gaps. From what I’ve read it is a regular/typical occurrence with trauma. Thanks for the smile with the hippo imagery, I won’t be embarrassed by sharing that I envision a hippo wearing a grad gown and cap when I think of hippo campus.
I have trauma from...
The situation with the book, been there! On both counts. Wanted to control how it would show up - will the title be visible for the world to see, what if they deliver to the wrong address and a neighbour sees, what if I’m not there to receive it and my other half opens it, blah blah….you know...