Fight Or Flight, How Do You Cope?

[anni]

Oh well, The only thing I'm Queen of is Queen of all avoidance. Procrastination is avoidance, too. At least we can negate a ton of other things we dislike about ourselves from that list, and clump it all under one unwieldy heading.

 

[Iam]

I NEVER thought of withdrawla as avoidence until you brought it up in this thread Anni. Guess it is one more "symptom" to add to my list...but at least lots of things fall under that one! Dang it all denial was such a good thing...;o)

 

[Nighthawk]

Iam,
I was in your position not so long ago and feel as I am on my way back there. I got to the point of only going to work and coming home blocking the world out and keeping myself in. It has taken great effort to walk out the door to get socially involved and the way I did it was through my dogs. I started going to the dog park everyday just to be around people. I was doing great and now I am back to thinking I do not belong in the world or society. I feel as though I am playing tug of war with myself. Sorry I got off the topic. You love horses as do many, maybe there is a program you can join that will help others through your horses and in turn may help you. I wish I could get on and ride one right now that thought brings a smile to my face.

Nighthawlk

 

[anni]

That was nice, Nighthawk, and not even slightly off topic. it also highlights that back-and-forth dam thing we get stuck in. Whatever we call it, sucks. I personally get tired of talking to myself in my head, when I go out, because think noone will either wish to converse about me ( the conversation will be about others, always-disallow it the other way around) or think it will sound kooky so do't say whatever it is out loud. You have to get to work and back, which can't be easy. Iams and I have children which forces the social thing a bit, too-ever seen a room full of PTO members? Shudder on a number of fronts. I've been able to manipulate things into working for myself so can dodge the daily OUT THERE ball of wax nicely.

Pets! Oh my, there's that thread that's so nice. Nighthawk, I know it's not nice for you to get out there but just thought of something. Pre-trauma I used to teach this night class which was my favorite even given it wasn't the at all taxing professionally. Older adults, and no, they were not specifically PTSD people, I don't think, could come to this night class where noone was watching. Men and women, middle aged and up, learned to ride. I don't know whose brainstorm it was but SUCH a blast! Being older now, can see where it must have been just a few adults who were terribly self conscious and just wished to go do this thing they'd always had a notion to do. Who is to say the theraputic value doesn't extend to those of us with other limitations. I only just thought of that. So sorry you're feeling like things might be sliding 'backwards'. Sometimes when I'm out there thinking I don't belong, either, it's helpful to hold in my head that wel, maybe nobody else really does, either, and all these people who seem so comfortable, normal and connected have thier own fears and insercurities. Tends to level the perspective for me in my head, sort of, you know?

Funny though. It hadn't occured to me that there's zero avoidance/procrastination/withdrawal ANYTHING associated with the animals in our lives. That's a completely new thought. It might not have been the actual intent of the post but it's a really nice thought, isn't it?

I hope it's going to be somewhat better today-take care.

Anni