Shutting Down?

[dbacs]

Lack of PEA. Could that explain why a dog could help me get out of 'shut down'?................. I felt like the haze was thinner and as I pet the dog my mind cleared up.

Sounds like you answered your own question. :) Maybe getting a dog could be helpful?

I had a dog that did the same thing for me. He was never trained to do it though. It always put me in a good mood.

 

[Tinyflame]

I have a rescue dog that just gives 'love' to everyone (a German Shepherd, no less)- adults, children, babies, dogs, bunnies (.. well maybe not cats). :eek: :D

Unlike 'humans', she doesn't react with anger or avoidance, etc, she just snuggles up, literally puts her head on your heart.
Not sure if it's because she doesn't put expectations or judgments into it?

Anyway, if I could be half the human she is as a dog I'd be one great person. :) :inlove:

 

[Rainbow_Habitué]

I would like a dog (I've wanted one since I was a kid), but my living situation needs to change first. Hopefully I'll have one soon. :rolleyes: My family is unwilling to help me with getting a dog unless I guarantee it will 'solve the problem'. :unsure: A dog would help I'm sure, but I know it won't solve anything; I have to solve things myself.

Getting a way to stop blanking out would definitely be useful though. ;)

 

[AzureMind]

I know where he is comming from, but why isn't he listening? Trying to eat when I first wake up is impossible when all I feel is nausea. I wish he would walk in my shoes for a week. Then I can tell him it's all in his head.

I think that's it. I think he's listening to his and your heart; I'm sure if he's familiar with your situation, than his FIRST priority is trying to nurse you back to health; supporters support us; they do, but what they CAN'T do is live through our bodies, and know our experiences. I've learned that with some friends of mine; they care, I'd go so far as to say maybe a few of them love me for the guy I show them, but they haven't lived my life...they don't know that when they yell in excitement it sounds like my mom, screaming and I feel like I'm a child again, so I space out to prevent the memory/flashback from surfacing...I think we have to explain to our supporters thoroughly what, our triggers are, and how they can help ease them; I'm sure you're husband would like to know about how to help you better. Does he know about your nausea? I mean, even though I have PTSD, I rarely get nauseous, but when I do, I'm vomiting sometimes uncontrollably; to tears even. I know that my parents/family thought I had an eating disorder, and my grandmom was constantly feeding me but it was just stress, and PTSD. He may not understand what it means to have triggers, how they come about, or how he can ease them; talk to him about them, tell him sometimes when you need him, and sometimes when you gotta get away. This is so you don't leave him in the dark confused...Listen to me though!, I tend to forget that I'm leaving another person in the dark when I just storm off. :rolleyes::laugh:

I wish it were easier for you, I can't scream or yell at my children, So I fight with my husband. My children are not the enemies here. I could use a little support from the husband but I suppose I'm the one slamming the bedroom door and hiding out on the patio outside my bedroom to get away from everyone.

Thanks NotMyWorld, it gets easier when I know I've got people who at least understand what it feels like to be in the same 'boat' you're in. Also, being a child that grew up in a home with slamming doors, I hated it because the slamming meant fighting, fighting meant yelling, and yelling meant someone getting hurt; but worst of all, I hated seeing my mom and dad upset...a child in part wants to help; they're like little adults but don't yet have the experience of HOW or WHICH words to use to help you, so they'll hug you, or kiss you, or smile when ever you're upset about something. Have you really told you're husband what kind of support you need from him? Is he familiar with all of your symptoms? Does he know how to help with, and alleviate your triggers? See, when you're in a relationship with someone with PTSD, you're in a relationship with the PTSD too...I'm sure he's right miffed about that, but he loves you, symptoms and all. :)

 

[AzureMind]

I would like a dog

Hey, I think dogs, are awesome! Great companions, full of personality, especially the runts of the litter!! :laugh: It's the best thing in the world when you come home, and your dog is right there for you belly up, or tail wagging!! I love animals, they just make SENSE...sometimes more than people!

 

[dbacs]

I would like a dog

I know a person who has worked with rescue dogs/dogs from shelters for therapy. I have been talking to her about how I am looking for a dog to help with some of my hearing disabilities. She said sometimes there are organizations that can help get a dog for people with some difficulties like ours, free I think. Maybe its worth looking into through with the internets?:)

I have applied for a "hearing ear" dog. There is a 3 year wait list but I am going to go for it anyways. A while ago I became disabled and needed to apply for section 8 housing, which had a 3 year wait list, but I got accepted in 6 months.

I think the whole idea behind owning a dog and it helping with PTSD is that it kind of puts us in a chronic state of trusting and caring. Then it oozes into our regular lives, and we stay programmed to lower our PTSD response. Kind of like flattening out the peaks and valleys of our responses. At least that's what I'm hoping, because I am trying to get a dog too. Wish me luck.:tup:

 

[Rainbow_Habitué]

Well I've done a lot of reading about psychological service dogs (PSD). They can do a lot more than a therapy dog. For people who have really powerful flashbacks that could cause them to get hurt (like wandering into traffic, etc....) the dog (a large breed) will refuse to move until the flashback is over.

For people who are panicking the dog will press themselves against you and if you want will provide 'deep pressure' (lying over your stomach) which can help some people.

They can stimulate you when you're apathetic (whatever works for you, barking, nudging, trying to engage in play) and call someone if you have a suicidal episode.

However there's very few in Canada who train PSDs (therapy dogs and emotional support animals don't have housing protection here).

Also I can act 'normal' a lot of the time, hiding my disability, or at least the extent; a service dog makes it visible, and can cause people who are ignorant of PSDs to ask some very awkward (and often illegal) questions (such as "You're not deaf or blind. Why do you have this dog in my store?").

If you are deaf though, then the point is moot on that, plenty of people know about hearing dogs, people don't need to know the extent of their training. I'm not deaf/blind though and fearful of stigma.

 

[NotMyWorld]

Well I didn't want to quote your entire post but I can certainly reply to it. Yes my husband knows about my nausea, I've had the breakfast in bed conversation and fight with him more times than I can count. Now a days I just throw it away in the bathroom garbage. Well... enough of it that he thinks I ate. I hate wasting food but I'm so tired of fighting over it.

We did talk last night about triggers and i brought up the boat scenario posted in my Diary on this forum, he understood. I talked in length with him last night about this site and encouraged him to visit it though I know he won't. I suppose I'd rather he didn't. I think it might be easier to tell a stranger more details than to tell him the scariest parts of my past.

 

[Tinyflame]

AzureMind, that was a really kind post.

NotMyWorld, I have had the nausea too, and usually have no appetite, I'm down to a kid's size 10 clothes and I force myself to eat super-high calorie foods. But, sounds as if your H is trying to be helpful.

Perhaps try to do it for his sake? Even a little? So you throw up, so what. That would be one way to reduce his worry. Maybe he would see it as trying- not required by him to do for you, but that you're going to do it anyway.
Because he's got you to worry about, and the kids.

It's up to us to manage our own symptoms however, no easy way to say it.

 

[NotMyWorld]

Junebug,
Yes he is trying to be helpful, I know that and I feel horrible for fighting with him. He's actually been refraining from breakfast in bed lately rather making me breakfast and keeping it covered in the microwave until after I've showered dressed and my stomach has calmed down.

Mornings always seem to be the hardest time for me to eat. I do sometimes get too skinny and try to eat what I can to pack on the pounds. I used to drink ensures for breakfast. They helped a lot. Unfortunately I cannot find them here in the part of costa rica where I live. I eat a lot of French fries. :) my husband knows I love potatoes, and they are really easy on my stomach. The kind you bake, not the fried ones. I think I will do just that though, next time he serves me breakfast in bed I will eat it. Even if I get sick.

He really is trying and it really does make me feel guilty. These past few days he has been so amazing to me. We were even able to be intimate this morning without me feeling the "lets get this over with" feeling I sometimes get when I'm stressed and tired. Then we just cuddled and he petted my hair and kissed my forehead. I've been missing that. I'm responsible for not making more of an effort in that area. It isn't fair to him.

You are right he does worry too much about me. He shouldn't have to worry about me and the kids too.

I noticed you feel sick today. I hope you feel better. Is it your stomach? Aches and pains? Maybe I can help? There are different natural remedies I use to ease certain symptoms. For example: when my stomach is acting up terribly because sometimes stress produces too much acid in your stomach, I drink a 1/2 cup of hot water with a table spoon of baking soda in it. It doesn't taste very well but it kicks the nausea way down almost instantly. Hmmmm.... maybe on the mornings I feel sick I just do that before I eat breakfast.

 

[JustBe]

Sounds like you answered your own question. :) Maybe getting a dog could be helpful?

I had a dog that did the same thing for me. He was never trained to do it though. It always put me in a good mood.

I honestly would not survive without my dog. I don't go anywhere without her.She is my lifeline and my anchor.

 

[Anna]

I have this too as well sometimes. People will be talking to me, and it is like I see their mouth moving, sometimes I hear what they say, like snippets but not the whole sentence. Sometimes I cannot even recall the conversation at all.

Often I drive my partner nuts by asking the same question over and over again because I forgot or did not even the answer they told me.

"Do we need eggs?"

"Do we need eggs?"

It is like a blur... I think to myself, what did they say? I remember a part about this, but what was the other thing?

Sometimes people will say my name over and over then "hello???"" "Where did you just go?"

It is really annoying.