First Social Outing In A Long Time!

[FindingMyself88]

Ok so tonight I will be going out to the movies for the first time in a long time. First social event probably since my suicide attempt in March and also first time to movies in over a year! Movies aren't a trigger for me unless it has certain scenes, just don't go out much. This will be my first time doing anything with a friend since March as well..

I have been working with a trainer on Bristol's dog reactivity and we have quickly become friends. She tells me I need to consider dog training as a career. She works at petsmart for now, but is looking into branching out on her own as she is learning about training service dogs and doing more of a variety than what petsmart really allows. She told me yesterday at our training session that she would like to work with me and Bristol more on our public access and such. One to help me get more comfortable about the kid issue and also so she can see the training I have done with Bristol.

We talked about going to a movie one day, and then she texted me this morning and asked about going tonight. We are going to see Guardian of the Galaxies. It will be at like 10pm tonight, so it won't be AS busy and shouldn't be any kids there so it will be good for Bristol. I am taking her a bone to chew on and some treats. I think she will do fine.

It is me I am worried about. I am excited for the experience and I really like my trainer as a friend. I just really hope we have no issues and that I don't get triggered. She knows I have PTSD, so I don't think she will judge me, I just don't want to cause a scene. But I've thought about what my therapist would say and I know she would highly encourage it. So here goes nothing… got about 11 hours to prepare!

 

[marylouise]

HAVE FUN! Well, I know sometimes it doesn't work out like that, but I figure going out makes life more interesting no matter what. At least, it's not boring. : ) I've also found that if I go out, I can make friends and have fun. If I don't go out, I don't make friends or have fun EVER. I hope you have a good time though. : )

 

[littlelostchild]

It sounds like you have thought through lots of factors, so go enjoy yourself! Have popcorn and a soda. It is a funny action movie.

Good for you.

 

[.Bubbles.]

I hope you manage to have fun and not get triggered. :)

 

[KwanYingirl]

Good for you!! I love seeing movies on the big screen. I have this fantasy about winning the lottery and using the money to start a non profit that trains dogs for people with PTSD. Since I am not actively working towards being a trainer I think you could have my fantasy-even the lottery winnings!! So glad to hear you've made a positive connection with your trainer.

 

[FindingMyself88]

Thanks everyone for the support. As the hours get closer I am trying not to get too nervous. I have done a LOT of training with Bristol today to distract me, but also to wear her out some. It has stormed most of the day, so our walk prior to the movies might not happen. I am considering taking my anxiety medication ahead of time to off put any building anxiety, but I don't want to be too sleepy during the movie. The movie is late at night after my friend/trainer gets off and so it is less crowded for Bristol. I might end up taking a half just to be safe..

@KwanYingirl that is an awesome dream! I definitely want to incorporate dog training into therapy that I want to do one day, as well as horses. My dream is to work with mostly abuse survivors and people with PTSD. We could always combine the dreams! :).

 

[FindingMyself88]

Ok so I am back from the movies and am exhausted. Overall, I think it went good, but I have a major headache now from the anxiety.

Bristol did good for her first time and for a TWO HOUR movie! 2 and a half with previews.. anyways. For the first 30 minutes she did great, laid under my chair with her head and front legs between my legs. However as the movie got going and got loud, she came out from between and was antsy. She would go into a down, but wouldn't stay. So I decided an hour in to take her outside for a few minutes. There was maybe 5 other people there aside from Bristol, me, my trainer/friend, and her boyfriend. However, I was having what my therapist calls body memories where certain parts of my body tense up, normally my legs. We go back inside and Bristol is better, however still didn't want to go into a down. So I took up on the leash so that she could either stand quietly right beside me or lay down. When she would decide she was tired of standing and laid down, I gave her slack and treats. This worked. However the body memories were causing me to be crazy tense and she got up to alert me twice and apply deep pressure therapy. Overall, she was not disruptive and she did her job, so for her first movie (and a LONG one at that!), she did good.

I could not fully bring myself to enjoy the movie, even with just the few people there. However, I guess the fact that I did it instead of backing out is a good thing. I think I would have enjoyed it more had it not come after a really hard trigger happy weekend. Her and her boyfriend do this often, so they said Bristol and myself could come with them anytime. I see my T tomorrow (well actually today I guess since its like almost 2 am), so I am interested to see how she responds to the ugly weekend and then today..

 

[littlelostchild]

That is so awesome, you should be really proud of Bristol and yourself!

You knew when to give her a break from the movie and how best to help her settle. She knew how best to support you through your body memories. As you are still in the training stages, I think it was brilliant. Way to go!

 

[scout86]

However, I guess the fact that I did it instead of backing out is a good thing.

Yep!

Good job!

 

[marylouise]

However, I guess the fact that I did it instead of backing out is a good thing.

Yes! It sounds like you were able to take care of Bristol and yourself. And it sounds like you made a new friend!