How To Maintain The Facade Of Normalcy?

[physicist13]

I'm going on a school trip in a couple weeks and I'm kind of worried about trying to act human for 2 straight weeks. Like it will be 2 weeks constantly with people (no time to go hyperventilate in a corner alone or cry). Also sometimes I get lucky, but often I suck at sleeping and I want to hide this as much as possible. On occasion I do some thrashing, but my main issue is I sometimes wake up DRENCHED in sweat-- not sure what the shower situation will be, but I think we may be showering at night (and we are only allowed one shower a day).
Also my hyper vigilance can be pretty obvious, but I don't think people notice it too much since they don't witness it that often; I'm sure after 2 straight weeks everyone will have seen me accidentally scream at a loud noise more than once.

Anyways, main question is how do I act normal and suppress symptoms for 2 weeks? I'm 18 and a senior in high school in case that is relevant.

 

[kilted]

Talk to a therapist about this, if you don't have one then try the school counsellor... the objective is to put in place support systems so you can function, if you go, or through legitimately not having to go.

 

[physicist13]

Talk to a therapist about this, if you don't have one then try the school counsellor... the objective is...

Don't have a school T and the school counsellor is rather terrible at her job.
I want to go on the trip-- I think it will be fun (parts of it)-- I just need to manage my PTSD while doing it

 

[BlueOrange]

Is there a teacher who will be going that you can trust?

My feeling is that over two weeks, you will find yourself having one or more of these experiences that you feel uncomfortable about. The trick will be to have realistic expectations, and to avoid going into a spiral of negative thinking. Sensible practical arrangements regarding showers would probably help. If you involve the school in your planning, they'll be better prepared to help you.

 

[kilted]

OK... thanks for the context. The anxiety about having PTSD symptoms may increase stress thereby increasing the likelihood of symptoms occurring.

The way forward might be something like MBSR, (mindfulness based stress reduction). There are online resources for this and it's something you can experiment with before you go. From what you say the objective might be to find a "safe space" to go to even when you are surrounded by people, possibly through something simple like having a breathing exercise or a stress reduction "mantra" (something you say to yourself if things get tough).

It'll be difficult to deal with sleep issues..... but accepting it's simply the way you sleep right now and not something that's "wrong" might help you build a bit of self-esteem around it. People have different sleep patterns.

Over here there are low cost clinics where they do intensive CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) I don't know if they exist in the US. There's also stuff online about CBT, but the language ca be more complex.... at it's simplest it's retraining the brain to put a different slant on things.

If possible talk to a teacher you trust who's going on the trip (or if not then a teacher you trust).... tell them about whatever coping strategies you use, and ask them if they can help you access a quiet space when on the trip.

 

[physicist13]

OK... thanks for the context. The anxiety about having PTSD symptoms may increase stress thereby increas...

Thanks for all the feedback! I will definitely look into this :)
Unfortunately in the US healthcare is pretty complicated so I don't have any low cost options right now :/

 

[Deleted member 541]

I think that speaking to a teacher or the organizer of the trip might be the way to go for the sleeping issues. There may even be another student that has similar issues that you can bunk in with.

As far as the other symptoms, I would suggest the bathroom might be a place to go to be alone and to try and calm down a bit. Do deep breathing to calm you down from hyperventilating, and use grounding skills to bring you back into the here and now. Most of all try to have a good time, and try not to focus too much on symptoms. You might just have an awesome trip..... enjoy!!!!

 

[Rumors]

Thanks for all the feedback! I will definitely look into this :)
Unfortunately in the US healthcare...

There are low cost options in the USA... You can look them up in your area.

I would try to blend as much as you can. Don't over compensate and don't just be invisible. Just blend. Make an agreement with yourself that ptsd isn't going to make this trip with you this time and just enjoy yourself. Life is short...eat the cake.

 

[physicist13]

There are low cost options in the USA... You can look them up in your area.

I would try to blend as mu...

I've done a bunch of research, and even though I live in a huge city there aren't really any options I can afford (not without healthcare, which I have, but I get it through my parents)

 

[Rumors]

How do I get Mental Health Services with No Money and No Insurance? - Getting Help Now - Depression

Check these resources out. Where I live, which is NOT a huge city but is a college town, there are resources in the are not even listed here. Rape crises centers, church groups that are free, and several other groups that are listed in a local progressive paper that meet weekly. It is out there, you just need to be creative on how to find them.

 

[joeylittle]

@physicist13 - @Rumors is right.

Also look up your local NAMI chapter. You can get the info off of www.nami.org.

And check out Jon Kabat-Zinn for mindfulness. His big book is Full Catastrophe Living...his easier book is Wherever You Go, There You Are. He's the founder of a thing called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which is an evidence-based approach to using mindfulness concepts to manage mental health.

 

[Muted]

I don't know if this will be the same for you or not @physicist13 , I have often experienced a great reduction in my symptoms being in a completely different environment. It can be quite freeing and a nice break from symptoms. I hope everything goes well for you!