It feels so nice to have this outpouring of support. I'm seeing a trauma specialist every Friday, which has been amazing. I feel so much less alone in dealing with everything I've been going through the last 20 years. The reason my symptoms are so much worse this week is because we've really started opening Pandora's box of trauma for processing, and things tend to get worse before they get better in that field.
I was in the same boat as
@loui50 and couldn't do any of my reading in that state. However, once I played my soccer game I felt SOO much better. I really killed myself during it because the other team forfeited so we played 5v5 full field. That's a ton of running for anyone, and with narcolepsy and PTSD I was wiped. I'm now able to concentrate at least 50% better and I can definitely think clearly. I think I unintentionally answered my own question and that exercise is probably the best quick self-care for me in that situation. Maybe that will help you,
@loui50.
Thank you so much for your empathy,
@hodge! I'll do my best to tell those voices to screw off. :D I tried the exact method you talked about, actually. It's been my go-to because, like you said, it's easy, and it also keeps me engaged so I don't dissociate. For some reason, today I couldn't keep focused on it at all. I think switching up the phrases might help. :) Thanks for the tip!
@cat-lady, I do have some accommodations because I have narcolepsy, but this PTSD was delayed onset and recently developed so I don't have any for that yet. I can't think of any that would really help me any more than what I have. I have note taker, time-and-a-half on tests, testing in the center for disabilities, and a letter of support. Maybe flexibility on due dates. Can you guys think of any other ideas?
@
AngelkeeperJ/AKJ, thanks for your empathy as well! I feel a constant anxiety about my to-do list. It doesn't keep me from starting it, so I can't empathize with you there, unfortunately, but it does give me needless stress thinking about it as a whole instead of the current task, the current moment. We're probably catastrophizing a bit too about not finishing, having things undone that should be done. That reminds me, I read a great post on the PTSD Ten Commandments on a different website:
- Thou shalt NOT be perfect, nor even try to be.
- Thou shalt NOT try to be all things to all people.
- Thou shalt leave things undone that ought to be done.
- Thou shalt NOT spread thyself too thinly.
- Thou shalt learn to say “NO“.
- Thou shalt schedule time for thyself, and thy supportive network.
- Thou shalt switch off and do nothing regularly.
- Thou shalt be boring, untidy, inelegant and unattractive at times.
- Thou shalt NOT even feel guilty.
- Especially, thou shalt NOT be thine own worst enemy, but be thy best friend.
I ought to tape that to my desk! The rest of that page is great too. I can't post a link, but if you Google "stress warning signs ptsd commandments", it's the top link. Thank you for pointing out the necessity of self care. I think switching my mindset from "what do I need to get done" to "what is causing me discomfort/stress and how can I reduce it" and shifting my focus from quality of work to quality of life will probably do wonders. As for your problem with prioritizing, have you ever heard of The Freedom Planner? I can't recommend it enough. When you first start to use it, it's all a jumble for about a year. Eventually you get the hang of adjusting your goals and activities, splitting up projects into smaller tasks, and prioritizing based on urgency and importance.
Planning my self-care activities might help me so I actually stick to them and see them as a necessity, as may talking to my professors about what I'm dealing with.
Thank you so much, each and every one of you, for your help. This made my day!!! <3 I hope you all have a really good, symptom-free night!
