I attended the Women's March yesterday AND I have PTSD. Here are things I did to allow me to participate.
Preparation:
1) Map out the area: Not only the march route, but planning escape routes to safe places (coffee shops, libraries, stops for public transit, etc.) should I get overwhelmed. Even if I don't use them, having them planned-out reduces my anxiety level greatly.
2) Equipment:
a) Earplugs: The march had loud music, impassioned speakers, and honking drivers, so I take earplugs to take the edge off the anxiety.
b) Particle Mask: I carried one with a layer of activated charcoal which really grabs the smell of perfumes, smoke, etc., especially when using public transit.
c) Soap Bubbles: This gave me something to focus on and blowing bubbles leads me to take long, deep, slow breaths. In addition to this, it adds a sense of festivity to an otherwise tense assembly.
3) At the March:
a) Arrive way early: I got there about an hour early to avoid the mass of people arriving and to confirm my escape routes;
b) Change position: As people congregated at one central position before the march began, I keep moving my position to the outskirts of the group, (usually upwind so the bubbles I blow go over the crowd for their enjoyment) and to maintain access to my escape routes.
c) It's Okay to Leave and/or Not Hear the Speakers: This year I didn't take to the march route as I knew my energy was waning, so I left early BEFORE I got near my shut-down point.
I successfully got there, made my support known in terms that worked for me, had nice interactions with some people, (steered clear of some who were not good,) and got home with some energy to spare.
As I was leaving, I asked one of the police who was doing crowd and traffic control if me blowing bubbles was helpful in keeping the atmosphere of the march light. She said she believed it did and that she enjoyed the bubbles herself.
I think I'm finding my place in the community, PTSD and all.
Preparation:
1) Map out the area: Not only the march route, but planning escape routes to safe places (coffee shops, libraries, stops for public transit, etc.) should I get overwhelmed. Even if I don't use them, having them planned-out reduces my anxiety level greatly.
2) Equipment:
a) Earplugs: The march had loud music, impassioned speakers, and honking drivers, so I take earplugs to take the edge off the anxiety.
b) Particle Mask: I carried one with a layer of activated charcoal which really grabs the smell of perfumes, smoke, etc., especially when using public transit.
c) Soap Bubbles: This gave me something to focus on and blowing bubbles leads me to take long, deep, slow breaths. In addition to this, it adds a sense of festivity to an otherwise tense assembly.
3) At the March:
a) Arrive way early: I got there about an hour early to avoid the mass of people arriving and to confirm my escape routes;
b) Change position: As people congregated at one central position before the march began, I keep moving my position to the outskirts of the group, (usually upwind so the bubbles I blow go over the crowd for their enjoyment) and to maintain access to my escape routes.
c) It's Okay to Leave and/or Not Hear the Speakers: This year I didn't take to the march route as I knew my energy was waning, so I left early BEFORE I got near my shut-down point.
I successfully got there, made my support known in terms that worked for me, had nice interactions with some people, (steered clear of some who were not good,) and got home with some energy to spare.
As I was leaving, I asked one of the police who was doing crowd and traffic control if me blowing bubbles was helpful in keeping the atmosphere of the march light. She said she believed it did and that she enjoyed the bubbles herself.
I think I'm finding my place in the community, PTSD and all.
