Learned Something Brilliant Today

[BlankCanvas]

I am always searching for new ways of seeing things that will help me cope with symptoms of PTSD. Today when I went to see my psychologist I came loaded with a list of questions I had been mulling over. As usual, she answered all my questions and helped me understand a lot more about myself and my recovery. I get really excited about the little things I learn along the way. I feel like I've gained another tool in my belt that will help me counter all this negative chatter in my head.

This is what my psychologist told me today:

It is often very difficult to control your thoughts and emotions. The easiest thing to control is your behaviour.

Now, this may sound simple. But it made me feel incredibly empowered and excited about my recovery. I never realized what a dummy I was when it came to the basics of human functioning. I have recently become aware of this trinity that exists in all of us: thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Was this supposed to be common knowledge? Because I felt like I had discovered electricity when I found this out!

Anyway, I often feel very afraid when I'm facing all these new emotions and negative thoughts. I start thinking that I am 'losing control' and think that I might act out in ways that I can't control (e.g. break something). Knowing that I am most in control of my actions/behaviours despite what I'm thinking or feeling is the best news I've heard in months. It is not too often that I learn new 'profound' things like this that get me really excited so I thought I would share :)

As my boyfriend likes to tell me, "Small moves Ellie, small moves".

 

[kers]

It's nice to hear such hope and excitement about treatment! It sounds like you are doing really good work.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Controlling my behavior was one of the biggest things my old therapist and I worked on, while I was in therapy with him. I never realized either just how empowering it was when I finally could control my behavior and the emotions just fell into place....

Good Job!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!

 

[2quilt]

I would say that controlling my behavior is, at least for me, not common knowledge or instinctive at all. I have had PTSD since birth, so I never learned anything healthy about the trinity of thought-feeling-action. I go reactive and volitile automatically.

That's what I am trying to accomplish now is to control myself and change my thoughts.

 

[fin]

Thankyou for sharing this, this is good news. It is easy for us to ferget when we are overwhelmed and implementing positive behaviour changes. It encourages me reading what you have written here. The days when it does seem too much can be lessened in how we behave and how we can take control over ourselves.

And I love your small moves bit Ellie/ Blank Canvas, I say small steps to myself...in just the same way...and it helps me break down the long walk into manageable steps. Because to me at the moment "everyday is a winding road...and I get a little bit closer to feeling fine".

Thankyou for sharing Blank Canvas and yay on that moment of enlightenment, it is good finding the electricity to turn the lights on. And it all helps.

~fin

 

[supergirl]

Congrats to you Blank Canvas! I LOVE when I have breakthroughs in therapy! It's so empowering and relieves my anxiety. One thing I learned when I was in the hospital was to make up a nonsense word and repeat it to yourself over and over. It helps to get rid of the intrusive thoughts. I have tried it several times and it really works! The trick is to make sure it is a total nonsense word, not something that reminds you of another word...

 

[lrs]

It reminds me of an old saying;
It is easier to act your way into a new way of thinking, than to think your way into a new way of acting.

 

[Deleted member 541]

lrs,

I have this posted on my refrigerator...

You can't think your way into a new way of living. You have to live your way into a new way of thinking.....

I do try to do this when reacting to situations. It helps.

 

[fin]

I am smiling and think this is just soo cute...all this; acting and thinking and learning and living...I am a little confused but that really isn't hard for me.

PLease dont be offended at this...just really made me smile... and I will be trying to print this off when I can get a printer...this is good smiley news.

Thankyou to everyone in this thread, I can't tell you the difference you have made to my day...just by re- reading this thread again I am smiling with all the; small surprises and steps and moves haha!!!

Perfectly Beautiful!!!

thankyou I am spellbound, just real magic here.

~fin

 

[BlankCanvas]

This has turned out to be a very happy thread. :D I am so grateful for this new breakthrough and have been able to see a lot of things in my life through a different lens. It's refreshing to construct a new perspective.

I love that quote IRS. I also really enjoy the 'fake it until you make it' saying. Sounds like they're alluding to the same thing.

 

[cragger65]

BC, loved this post, it was a real boost for me today. Gave me a little bit of hope :)
Glad you had such an eye-opening experience with T, and thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Nicolette]

I'm sorry I'm late to respond but great stuff Black Canvas!