Summer Sad And Ptsd

[nycowboy]

Hi. I have PTSD from childhood bullying. I am fiercely territorial and hate it when people invade my space. Also, I am fearful of noise from unknown sources, like when I'm inside and someone starts their car up, I have to find out who it is so I can feel safe again. I'm like a horse who functions almost totally by flight or fight.

I have been in T for 2 years. It has helped me a great deal.

I'm dreading (like every year) the onset of spring. Even though it has been BRUTALLY cold here, and we've had lots of snow, I like the winter because it is quiet and SAFE. None of the unknowns are out there. Everyone is cooped up inside. I'm really really trying to figure out how to cope better with the transition from winter to spring and would appreciate any ideas.

Also, I just the other day read of spring onset/summer SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Do any of you have this? What kinds of things do you do to cope with the raised light/noise/activity levels that the warmer weather brings?

I just don't want to spend another spring/summer totally wrecked by anxiety.

 

[garden]

I have the opposite problem. I have trouble with the transition from summer to fall. I really love warm weather and lots of sunlight, and when the days become shorter and there is less and less light my moods are profoundly affected. It feels as though with the coming darker days outside I feel gloomy and dark inside. I know that this happens for me, and in anticipation I make a few subtle changes. I think that this alone is helpful, the anticipating and the small changes make me feel like I'm empowered to help myself and I'm not just passively bearing what comes. This is a source of good feeling for me.

I use essential oils like bergamot and clary sage in the morning when I get up (in a diffuser, they are uplifting) and I make sure that I'm exercising (I tend to want to stop exercising during this season) even though I don't feel like it (making a new play list at this time sometimes helps). Also, this is the season in which I pull out old comedies that I love and I know will have me laughing. I make chicken stock from scratch and start making a different soup every week. This makes the fall a more positive, fun, comforting time because it's the season of soups in our home.

Noticing that it happens, and mindfully giving myself some extra self care has made it easier and easier. My gloomy period has become shorter, and I am less anxious at the onset of the changes in weather. Also, I have noticed that since I became a Mom it has been easier to transition during the fall because I can direct my focus to all the preparations for the new school year.

As long as I'm not completely discombobulated I can usually manage my way through with by making some adjustments or deliberate actions. I hope this helps in some way.

 

[nycowboy]

Thanks Lewa!

Our problems are similar, but occur at different times of the year.

I need to exercise more, and I know when I did run (briefly) it did help a lot with my attitude and mood.

My problems surface most when I am not busy, and when I don't have enough to keep me busy. Then either I sit and freeze, paralyzed, or I go into total hypervigilance mode and want to monitor the neighbors who I don't like. :(