Just Need To Get It Out Somewhere Safe

[Supression_fail]

I'm keep flashing back so hard right now. My boyfriends grandfather died earlier this week in a situation very similar to my mother's. And I just found out a friend from high school just died.

I keep going back to my mom's last breath. Every detail as clear as day. Like I'm standing there holding onto my sisters shoulder again.

Tips for calming down. Anything. I'm home alone right now with my daughter sleeping. My BF is currently out of town at his grandfathers funeral that I couldn't make due to lack of sitter.

 

[bonnecanyon]

Hi SF

I'm so sorry for your loss. Just keep breathing - be calm and relaxed. Visualize somewhere where you feel safe and secure - focus your thoughts. You are safe. You are safe now.

 

[ghost]

Mindfulness Breathing

You could try mindfulness breathing:

It is probably best to do this with as little distraction as possible, i.e. sitting outside, or listening to classical music. Though I have done it effectively in the past while watching a movie.

The effect can be very powerful, and can more or less dissolve feelings of panic.

Concentrate on the air coming into your body, following it from your nostrils, into your nasal passages, into your throat and into your lungs. Then as you exhale, follow it out of your lungs, into your throat, and out through your nose (or mouth if you prefer).

Whenever your thoughts start to drift, immediately shift them back to your breath.

Do not try to control your breathing, simply observe it.

The panic that you are feeling is being strengthened by your thoughts. Once you shift your thoughts onto your breathing, you cease feeding the panic - gradually it dissolves.

Very basic, and you've probably been taught this before. You need to persist with it though. It works.

 

[Grainne]

How are you today Supression_fail? Have things settled slightly for you?

 

[Supression_fail]

Yea. I'm doing ok today. Disconnected, but no where near as bad as last night. I tried to calm down and breath, but got impatient with it not working, or rather couldn't get the thoughts to stop for more then like 20 mins at a time, so ended up taking my sleeping pill and just going to bed. Thank you for checking on me tho!

 

[Manic11]

I'm glad you're feeling better SF. Hopefully you can find some helpful grounding techniques if it ever happens again.
Do something nice for yourself! You deserve it.

Manic