Anxiety-

[Reclusive]

Playing chess is an excellent distraction and there's a lot of free chess games you can DL if you want to play on your computer. But I think being beaten at chess by a kid is better than being good at it. ;)

When I get those anxiety attacks they can last for hours and I get really neurotic and OCD. I clean, I'll visit about 4 different networking sites over and over and over again or pull my hair out one by one and, aside from medication, the only solution I've found is to STOP.

I sit down in my arm chair, plant my arms on the chair arms, plant my feet on the ground and concentrate on not moving. It's like mental torture sometimes, but I have to do that before I can even try to relax. Once I'm able to relax I can think of something that will make me feel productive and doing that one thing seems to lift the weight off my shoulders. But it doesn't work for me unless I sit still and relax first.

 

[KP the nut]

I went to a kid in the family that has wanted me to play chess for a long time. I do not know, or did not know until today. He was SOOOOO happy that I wanted to play that he hugged me!

This was a great distraction and look how happy it made someone else feel.

Be proud of yourself
((HUGS))
KP

 

[angel2write]

I found something someone suggested on another thread and thought I'd post it here since it actually helped me yesterday. He said that some of the anxiety is caused by trying to burn off the fight or flight hormones we release when triggered. Like Okradlak said, running helped because it used up the "flight" impulse. So I thought, why not try to use up the "fight?" I went and got Pat's whiffle bat and beat up a sleeping bag again. I felt kind of stupid because I wasn't angry this time, just anxious. But it really helped. I kind of got into it after a while. And when it was over, the anxiety was a lot better. I felt calmer and more in control and took a really, really long nap.

Here's the link: [DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/what-happens-when-youre-triggered.13792/#post-217331[/DLMURL]

 

[anni]

I loved the chess game! I'm terribly distracted this morning but see where someone said you'd made someone else happy by doing so also- hadn't thought of that and how true! I actually become very tense playing chess, no idea why so it's helpful thinking about just getting the board out and playing through the feelings. I'll get beaten soundly every time but it's doing it which will be fun in the end.

The Great Silence in the Sky, I think we've all heard, or those of us who listen and need to hear something. Everyone believes different things, and it's so incredibly personal- the whole spiritual orientation thing, I know. Sometimes just comfort can be the point, or reassurance, or the feeling that perhaps there IS something there. I re-read the 91st Psalm, for reassurance or comfort or when things are too much. Yes, it's in the Bible but don't think anyone needs to be particularly religious or adhere to one denomination ( or any ) to benefit from the words.

I'm trying to dispose of vast excesses of andrenaline at the moment myself, that unending anxiety is just awful, I know. I hope today there's been some relief for you, and some peace.

Anni

 

[scott_1971_h]

I too have had huge problems with insomnia for years. Have you tried melatonin? Sometimes works with me.
Scott

 

[OKRADLAK]

Thank you, Anni. I think the anxiety is one of the worst of the parts of PTSD that we all seem to deal with.

I try so hard to "transform it" but it leads to a lot of chronic pain and frankly exhaustion. But I like the tips here and even if I can do them some days, it is better than not being able to do them at all, and I do go through long periods like that, too!

 

[anni]

I agree it is one of the worst manifestations, absolutely. It's simply too tough to deal with the rest of the world with all that adrenaline in the way plus the lack of sleep very much impedes the same ability. I loathe this stuff, plus it makes me isolate even more for fear I'm not reacting to others rationally at the moment-I just can't tell sometimes as awful as that sounds. It IS quite wonderful, seriously, to be able to come here for the sheer relief of being able to share this stuff and possibly get some hints as to dealing with it. I'd forgotten melatonin for instance, and will dig mine out for tonite! :)

 

[Firelamb67]

Things that have helped me: nice warm shower followed by a cup of chamomile tea with a little honey, soft soothing music, cuddling with a stuffed animal or pet, look up the Binaural Institute and look for their anxiety music, treat yourself to something nice or sweet with no caffeine, diaghramatic breathing.