A Moment I Left Ptsd Behind

[beautifulbroken]

I don't know about you but I love music and I listen to it constantly. It has been an especially good companion since the events that led to me being diagnosed with PTSD.

I'm a Neil Diamond fanatic and I listen to his music a lot. It relaxes me and helps keep me calm, especially when my anxiety rears it's ugly head. Which is more often than I'd like.

Last year for my 40th birthday my wife and I flew to LA and saw him perform at the Greek Theatre for the 40th Anniversary celebration of his album Hot August Night. This was a big deal for many reasons. I mean Neil at the Greek for one. But there was a bigger issue at hand.

Yes, for the first time since my attack I would have to deal with crowds of people. First at the airport, then on the plane and finally at the concert. Phew! Talk about wanting to vomit. But my wife helped me get through it. Along with an extra anxiety pill and 5mg of Ambien per my doctor-the airport and flight were a blur. But the trip wasn't without perils. I couldn't take an Ambien at the concert! Especially not after what it cost to get seats in the seventh row. But we got there and made it to our seats and then enjoyed the show. I was lost for two hours and didn't think about anything but having a great time. I had almost forgotten what that was.

When it was over I looked at my wife and asked what her favorite part of the show was. She said, "Seeing you happy." Well that made me cry. Then I realized I'd have to walk amongst all the people to get a cab. Talk about tears. HA!

So who do you enjoy listening to? Have you seen them in concert? Any great memories that you'd like to share?

 

[Loloma]

Hi beautifulbroken. I love music and find it is one of the things that made me happy when I am on my own. I especially like driving in the car with the radio blasting. Usually to a favourite CD, and I have plenty of them. Also have a large collection of music DVD's. Mainly 70's, 80's and 90's stuff, including Neill Diamond.

The last concert that I went to was to see Phil Collins a couple of years ago. It was brilliant. Unfortunately I don't like being in large crowds or extremely busy places anymore so haven't been to anymore. I'm okay at the airport, somehow I manage to block it all out to get through it.

 

[Changing4Best]

There is a group called DEEP FOREST whose piece called Deep Forest and others really enthrall me. They recorded a CD in 1992 on Celine Music and Syn Sound (Sony). I love the drums in their music especially. It is a very native type style. They were accompanied by a tribe from the Amazon in these pieces.

 

[Deleted member 19804]

That is amazing, beautifulbroken. I'm really happy for you that you could leave your demons behind and have such a wonderful time. I hope such a thing will happen again for you soon.

My music taste definitely depends on my mood. I have a mental list of songs that I listen to in a certain order when I'm having an anxiety attack. First sweet, calming songs from Jason Mraz, a ballad from P!nk, and then slowly happier songs from various artists. When I'm in a normal mood I like to listen to the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson and when I'm really happy I listen to Stevie Wonder :)

(By the way: is there already a thread about what music people listen to that helps them come down from their anxiety attacks? 'cause if there's not, someone should open one!)

 

[warathome]

Everytime I get on my Harley, I feel "normal"

 

[SilentWarDiva]

I get that feeling on swings. I don't have a Harley to ride (yet), but I love to swing at the park.

 

[blue-Ocean]

Browsing in second hand shops or car boot sales when I do this I forget all about PTSD you could say its left to its own devices.