Dissociation And Motivation (or Lack Thereof)

[theshadowoftheliving]

I introduced myself a while back (https://www.myptsd.com/c/threads/introductions-make-me-nervous-….50556/#post-805694) then pretty much promptly disappeared out of fear. oh well. I'm back, and I have a question:

Lately, I've been having an issue in regards to headspace, if that makes sense. When I wake up, I tend to get stuck on the same cyclical thought pattern for the rest of the day. If this is about work - great! Super productive day ahead. However, if this thought ends up being about the past, I just can't shake it.

My motivation goes down then drain and it's literally allllll I can do to motivate myself to do anything other than lie motionless in bed and relive the past. This reliving isn't even fun - it's painful, and sometimes it even hurts physically. But I can't seem to shake myself out of it.

Anyone else have this? How do I break it? I'm so behind on work and I can't keep this up. I don't think spending so much time isolated in my apartment is helping me, but sometimes I just can't make myself to anything else.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I have the same symptoms and even though I am beginning to feel better in most other areas of my PTSD, this is one lingering symptom that I continue to deal with. My advice to you is have a method or routine to regain focus. When I am feeling most clouded, I have to remind myself to breathe. I usually try to pause and draw a mandala. The art of drawing a mandala allows you to focus your entire energy on a single product. I usually feel a lot better after this and can then reclaim my day.

Hope this helps!