Ptsd Dares

[Deleted member 6617]

To not panic when the phone rings or when I open an email. Yikes...both make my blood run cold for just a moment before I get a grip and make myself answer the phone or open the email.

 

[Froggie]

to stop having a jumpy reaction and ready to hit everytime there is an unexpected noise near me or someone who suddenly crosses my path. Man that really freaks me out, I'm always scared that I'm really going to hit someone ... again ... did that once to my ex-husband, I didn't miss him and just had the time to see him go down ... Yeah granny has a good right hook

 

[Jade-]

Froggie, is there anything you're doing to work on the startle response? Just curious...I haven't been able to figure out a way to change it at all. My T. said it may never go away or lessen.

I have been so jumpy the past couple of weeks. I jumped and screamed 2 times at work and......I don't understand why people think it's funny to see. I think it's humiliating.

 

[Innordinate]

I have been so jumpy people think it's funny to see. I think it's humiliating.

You think it's humiliating because you associate it to PTSD
Other people see it as normal and it's funny when you jump.
As kids they probably played the scare game (you know jump out and scare your parents) and just continue it into adult hood at some level.

I think my daughters game gave me enough exposure to it that I'm not as bad as I used to be. If someone touches me when I'm sleeping though I go through the roof.

My dare for myself is to start taking meds again

 

[Jade-]

Actually I thought it was humiliating before I even knew I had PTSD.

It's humiliating because I have such an extreme reaction.....

 

[Reclusive]

Jadebear - I've always been extremely jumpy - I don't know where it came from, but I remember it being there when I was really little. When I was working it was always tough because people would come from behind me all the time and I'd just right out of my skin. It's worse now, though - just this morning a neighbor down the street close his garbage can and I jumped out of bed. So I'm with you there - you should have seen the looks the cats gave me.

My dare is to start dancing again. Just for myself and at home - nothing strenuous, just to get the body moving again. And go for walks outside BEFORE midnight. You know, when people are awake.

 

[way_back_when]

I would like to be able to read in front of the crowd at the open mic poetry gathering I go to every couple weeks. I feel paralyzed about it and get sick just imagining it.

 

[Innordinate]

I dare myself to at some point today stop dickin around playing the games in here and write more in my 'journal'
(Diary is too girly for me)

 

[Jade-]

Another thing I have been working towards is gaining weight. I definitely have issues with food.

I have been making myself eat, and when I do, I make myself slow down and *try* to enjoy the food.

I had to stand and watch my parents eat, while I did without. So I have this pattern of going without eating, sometimes for a couple of days. Then when I do eat, I eat so fast, like a starving dog(I probably look/act like one too)...but then after a few bites I'm full and can't eat anymore.

I have been reminding myself that I don't need to go without, I'm allowed to eat now. Reminding myself that I don't need to eat so fast...there's plenty and nobody else is going to take it from me. Been reminding myself that although the hunger pains feel familiar, and almost comforting in a way......it's not healthy at all. Been reminding myself that the heart palpitations, the dizziness and weakness are due to not eating.

If I take the time to stop and think....I do pretty good. And I think I have gained one or two pounds in the past week or so.

 

[Reclusive]

Good for you on gaining the weight! I'm an emotional eater and really need to lose the weight. Sometimes I think if we could get together and exchange bits of brain matter we could balance each other out in a healthy way - but I suppose we each have our own journey.

 

[Marie E.]

My dare today is to get on with my life, though been feeling in a slum lately!

 

[Nighthawk]

Dare for the week... Go to the TT and try again to not be so scared of him.
To do something to promote postive growth in my life.

In example
plant flowers
attempt to re try a small public outing

OK.... That is daring enough for the week

NH