Other Managing PTSD within current political climate

[Sideways]

Mod Note:
Not going to keep reminding people - keep to the OP’s issue, or start your own thread.

@Freemartin - thread-banned.

 

[Muttly]

*sigh* I probably should have known better than making this thread. I appreciate that it can easily get into touchy topics. I completely understand if it does get shutdown

 

[anthony]

I appreciate that it can easily get into touchy topics. I completely understand if it does get shutdown

If people stick to your original message, which is not about politics, but about how you feel about things going on, then that is all good. You haven't done anything wrong. If people want to discuss politics, go into their diary and do it OR raise a new post about it in social, and that topic is adhered, not some rambling jumble of dissent and political views. Just be mindful, we have very little tolerance for political argument here. People can express themselves all they want in their diary, but if arguments ensue because of politics... we act swiftly. Same rules have always applied, if you don't like what someone has said, say nothing and ignore it. Impulse control.

 

[Movingforward10]

*sigh* I probably should have known better than making this thread. I appreciate that it can easily get into touchy topics. I completely understand if it does get shutdown

You have asked for support about a spike in symptoms due to a particular issue. The fact people are focusing on that particular issue rather than the spike in symptoms is not on you. It's highlighting the particular issue is sensitive for lots of people, but again that's not on you.

 

[Justmehere]

Something that really bothers me is all the stuff I'd like to do something about and can't figure out anything I can actually do.

C.S Lewis wrote this really interesting document of advice about feeling afraid of the atomic bomb and feeling hopeless and helpless in 1948…

“If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts…” Link to full document

There have been so many times in history where the s hits the fan. Or may hit the fan. Or is partially hitting the fan… and most can’t do a damn thing to stop it. At all.

My drive is to act.

When I can’t act on the stressor, I’ve been learning to drive it into something else… and doing it with a bit more gusto. Maybe it’s showing up 5 minutes early to help a friend. Maybe it’s a note and cookies for a neighbor. Maybe it’s humbling a little longer, dancing a little later, living a little more… as a big “f*ck off” to all that is dark and looming.

Nationalism and other ideologies have risen before and settled back down before. Sometimes it changed more easily… sometimes it changed through hell on earth occurring… but there are also stories of people getting through, and sometimes it is through acting as locally as possible to be as kind as possible to their fellow humans. Sometimes it is all we can do and sometimes it is the only thing we can do.
—
Also, I’ve been sleeping more and shutting off my screens more. Some of it healthy, some of it not. Sigh.

 

[Dark.Green.Feathers]

I don’t think I have much good advice in this area, save for what people have already said with limiting media intake. I also think tapping into activities or company we find encouraging or calming to fill the now free time that would be spent looking at the news, etc. and in general. Not isolating.

And also not being too long-sighted, focussing on how to manage xyz immediate here-and-now problems/needs is less taxing than trying to do that And solve things which haven’t happened yet, which will involve a lot of speculation which is not always the most accurate or productive when under stressors, easier said than done but I find it helps pretty broadly.
And simplifying where possible. Not necessarily meaning to cut down on everything, but being aware of where your energies are being spread out to, and were possible cutting out or minimising unnecessary loads so you have more at your disposal to keep yourself maintained. Some things keep us occupied/engaged in something else, but are also unnecessary stress or anxiety sources.

I think routine is important, too. When things are going poorly for me it tends to be the first thing to slip, but I depend on my typical routine to keep stable and engaging in what benefits me, and looking after myself. Having my needs met and keeping what I have within my control not in chaos makes whatever is going on outside of my control more bearable.

This is mostly stuff I find helps in general, but I hope it can have some substance here, too.

 

[Muttly]

Something that really bothers me is all the stuff I'd like to do something about and can't figure out anything I can actually do.

Feeling some of this. Also, just so overwhelmed with life, I don't have bandwidth. This is where I fall into old thought patterns. "I am just making excuses. I'm not trying hard enough. I'm lazy" blah blah blah.

And then some acquaintances were talking about politics and one guy was saying how everyone *has to* make a call. If you don't, then you clearly don't care about what is happening. The good thing is, it irritated me more than sent me down the path of beating myself up. In the past that's what would have happened.

I think showing support is sometimes the only thing we can do.

I can testify to the impact of this. I got stopped in the hallway by an old college. It's been a while since I've seen her. She asked me how I'm doing and acknowledged the current politics and that she's aware it's having a direct impact on me. It was obvious she really cared. So I was honest with her. She offered me a hug, which I don't usually like but I even took one. It meant a lot to me.

 

[Freida]

The good thing is, it irritated me more than sent me down the path of beating myself up. In the past that's what would have happened.

I love this! ^^^^^
You don't deserve to be forced to live up to someone else's opinion about what others "should" do. I mean, I know people out there who think I "should" play the lottery each week to try to become a gazillionare but I choose not to. Mostly because I"m lazy but you get the idea.

It was obvious she really cared. So I was honest with her. She offered me a hug, which I don't usually like but I even took one. It meant a lot to me.

Maybe what you "should" do might be finding those things that make you happy, give you joy, allow you to step out of the dark cloud and be able to take a breath and who you want to do it with. I think this dark cloud is going to be with us for a long while yet so knowing who you can rely on and trust and being ok with kicking those who bring you down to the curb? Might be the best choice in a no win situation. Plus don't think I didn't notice you finding people like this coworker who is reaching out and you, wait for it, are allowing her to care about you!!! Talk about a win!

Sometimes we need the dark to find the light.
Or some such nonsense!

 

[scout86]

@Muttly , just wanted to let you know, for the first time in my life, I'm going to an organized protest on Sat. It's a local event being held as a part of a nation-wide event. I'm hoping to bring a friend who's in a wheelchair along, so I contacted the organizers to see how accessible the event is going to be. (Of course it's pretty accessible. One of the things they're protesting is "anti-inclusion" LOL) Anyway, they seem to be a great group of people and I'm considering joining the group. What I've found, so far, (and feel free to say "duh") is that there's a big upside to connecting with like-minded people. I'm not sure there's any upside to going quietly, you know?

I hope you're doing ok! Just got my Canadian flag bumper stickers so I've got to get the vehicles decorated. LOL

 

[scout86]

@Muttly , I thought I'd report back on today's events. I wish you could have been there! Let me paint a picture. This is rural central Minnesota. The temperature was right around freezing, with a rather stiff breeze. But, we've just come through a few days of wintery weather and today there's brilliant sunshine. The town where the event was held has about 14,000 people. That seems like a big city to me, but I know others see that differently. It was sort of a classic Minnesota "protest". We assembled at a local church beforehand, to make signs etc. Then we walked a few blocks to the place they had permission to assemble. (Parking downtown is kind of limited and they didn't want to inconvenience any local businesses.) Traffic wasn't disrupted, access to all cross streets and businesses was maintained. They think they had nearly a thousand people there, which is amazing. After, the group headed back to the church for a little lunch. Great group of people, near as I can tell. (I'll know more eventually because I joined the group that organized this. LOL)

Here's a truth, I think. There are a lot of people in this world who are good, and kind, and caring. A lot of the time, they operate below the radar so we need to seek them out to find them. And we need to take a chance, I guess. I know that there have been a lot of times in my life when I've felt unwanted and that it was safest to be invisible. There may be some truth to that, but you miss out on a lot at the same time. Seeing the crowd today, and meeting some of these people gave me a lot of hope. I know we're all different in what we can handle, but I give the idea of "getting involved" 2 thumbs up.

 

[Freida]

There are a lot of people in this world who are good, and kind, and caring. A lot of the time, they operate below the radar so we need to seek them out to find them

This ^^^ is something my t is always on me to remember. Trauma involves horrible people who are out to hurt us, so we become so busy looking for the bad ones that we forget the good ones are out there.

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

I've been thinking a lot about how to manage. I had a conversation with a friend recently about how stressed I am knowing ... but also not knowing; either is a terrible choice. So I've been experimenting these last few weeks with a new strategy that might be helpful? I signed up for some of the weekly newsletters from the major media sources I trust. So I now get a few emailed newsletters a few times a week that summarize the news. It helps me feel informed but not so bogged down by the noise of the daily news cycle.