Emotionally stuck

[shiraz]

I have noticed recently that my emotions get stuck. For example, I think someone has said something mean to me, later I ask them about it and I realise I misheard them and that nothing mean was said - however the emotion of being hurt sticks and the feelings of suspicion prevail and I cannot shake it or rationalise my way out of it

or

I think someone is going to hurt or disappoint me - later, I realise that those feelings are unfounded, I have read the situation incorrectly, but I can't shake the feelings of dread that got hold of me and I can't get myself to calm the accompanying fear. In such moments I want to run from the person I am with as I know they will see the suspicion and fear in my eyes and interpret it incorrectly. I am also afraid of being touched at such times or of having affectionate advances as everything inside is screaming RUN and the idea of being affectionate fills me with dread even though I realise that they are not the cause of the fear.

I'm not sure how to get beyond this ... what is going on? I am so confused!

 

[Deleted member 541]

Low self esteem and the negative thought patterns that many of us have....We tend to see, doom and gloom above everything else. We are suspicious of anything good or nice.

The habit can be broken, it's not easy and it's hard to maintain it, but it can be done.

Start by telling yourself everyday GOOD things abut yourself. Put up sticky notes with NICE things about yourself on them, and post them all over the house.

Doing things that you have never done before will also build up your self esteem when you complete them. No matter how small an effort, or task it may be give yourself praise for the things that you have accomplished.

 

[dust]

I experience fear of others and push them away if there is any chance that they might 'harm' me. After doing this, I have to make efforts to slowly bring myself round to believing that I can be with them again. Like everything else, I know to give myself the time I need to do this, while also keeping my eye on the bigger picture of sustaining and developing relationships. Some friends have fallen by the wayside, but then there are some very positive new ones! Negotiation of relationships also seems to depend on which stage of the PTSD cycle I am in, and also on what is being dealt with in therapy.

 

[jennifer0506]

Yes. i get that so much. Someone explains to you they meant no harm by a comment, yet i continue to feel angry or hurt. I've often been told i'm just continuing it in myself and not forgiving, but i have HONESTLY forgiven the person, yet it does not go away.
And often i blame something for something, that is irrational and wrong, yet i continue to be mad etc, even though i've accepted i was wwrong.

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I used to be like that. I read the book, "The Power of Now" and when I was done I learned how to stop the negative self talk and bring myself out of self doubt.

It doesn't work every single time but it helped me to the point where I can truly say it changed my life.

Tammy

 

[Salu]

Dosen´t that sound familiar:doh:

Thought like that do tend to get stuck in ones head, sometimes they even come back to haunt years after something happened.

Start in the morning, right after you wake up. Look in a mirror and tell yourself out and loud: "I love you" several times. If it´s possible in your area, try to see if they need help in local animal shelter or volunteers to do some kind of animal caring. It would give you a very good opportunity for non-human communication, something to get your mind off things that might trigger you and it would get you out of your normal everyday environment.

It´s a bit easier to handle your everyday problems that trigger you if you have something that stays completely out of it and has nothing to do with people you come in contact in your daily life.

All this may not seem like it has something to do with your problems, but I think beginning is the best place to start (sorry about the cliche) and it would help to clear your head a bit first and then tackle your problems.