Poll Does Your PTSD Control Your Thoughts?

[Invisible-Guy]

Sometimes I'll think the most rotten things and then have to redirect my thinking. "Is this really who I am Now" or "Why did I just think something that horrible" it's weird, the thoughts are just so hostile and reactionary. That's one of my major tasks right now is regulating these negative distortions. I used to be so mellow and always happy until this little troll planted himself in my head LOL!

 

[Lionheart]

Sometimes my thoughts are automatic, intrusive, and negative so that I have to redirect them in a more positive and realistic direction. According to what I have been told by my therapist, an automatic thought comes into the brain at about 1/300th of a second, so that it requires patience, diligence and sustained effort to redirect those types of thoughts.

As I have practiced redirecting my thoughts it has become a lot easier, but I still have the tendency to think of the worst case scenario first. Knowing this though, I can observe and change the thoughts based on more realistic criteria. I believe that practice is needed to challenge and change our thought processes following traumatic experiences and this takes time, (in my humble opinion).

 

[discarded]

I am not a sufferer but as a supporter it is all I can think about since my sufferers latest episode. How to help him, how to help me and the kids through it all. I am now learning to let it all go and leave him to sort himself out. He knows where I am if he needs me.

 

[saffy]

I realise now that they always do :(

best wishes
Saffy :)

 

[4gtfl1]

Yes, sometimes my thoughts are like a flood gate that can't be closed. Especially if I'm triggered.

 

[Changing4Best]

I know sometimes I get the feeling that something that happened to me was caused on purpose by someone that hates me, but I am never certain who it is that hates me, I just sort of feel that people do in general. Even when folks reach out to me and act nicely toward me, I sometimes feel they are out for themselves, trying somehow to gain my participation in some vendetta they have against someone or some other plan that I would not want to be involved in.

Also, when someone withdraws from me and wants to spend less time with me, I always suspect that I did something wrong to alienate them or something. I believe they don't like me anymore.

Then I question the above and wonder if it is just me, or if my feelings are real. It is maddening!

 

[Finding Shawna]

Sometimes for me. But those sometimes are rough! :yuck:

 

[Privateer]

Sometimes. I'm not quite as impervious to the full horror of some of the stuff that goes on out in the world as I used to be. No longer 'comfortably numb'.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Sometimes yes. Usually when I'm feeling hypervigilant and anxious. It gets to be really annoying too. I'll be trying to enjoy myself and PTSD is busy trying to convince me I'm in danger. I hate it. They are truly intrusive thoughts.

 

[InHell11]

Sometimes, though it can be more frequent if I am stressed or worried about things. Or I end up worrying about things because I feel anxious for no reason so my mind automatically seems to try and figure out what could possibly actually be wrong. I don't really talk too much IRL about any of it because it just bothers people but that doesn't mean there's not unwanted thoughts constantly there a lot of the time.

 

[cat]

When diagnosed it was all I thought about but gradually with therapy I have learnt to understand my trauma, thoughts & behaviours. If I do start to dwell on them I try to turn my thoughts around and look for the positives. It's hard work but we all have it in us to do it. With the right help, support, guidance & huge determination you can get there.