Ways To Head Off A Flashback Or Dissociation?

[digger]

Bear with me. I'm anxiety looping at the moment so this might not be very clear. Please ask for clarification if it's not.

In situations, that you know from past experience, are likely to trigger flashbacks or dissociation or panic, have you found ways to stop that from happening? Does knowing in advance make it any easier for you to deal with it?

I'm dealing with the possibility of medical tests and examinations. I had to have a lot of tests a couple of years ago and it was a complete nightmare mental health wise and had me near suicidal. Just the prospect of talking to my GP today has had me in and out of panic for the past 24 hours.

 

[Sammyiam]

I'm really sorry @digger, I'm the same exactly just the thought of tests freaks me out. It is a huge trigger for me as well. Everyday it triggers me even if Im not waiting for test results. Have you got any friends to talk to, to help you through it ? The only way I try, is to think it's better knowing early and then they can fix it.
Hope your ok digger.

Sammy

 

[digger]

is to think it's better knowing early and then they can fix it

Sorry, I don't think I've explained very well. It's not what might or might not be wrong that causes the issues for me. It's the prospect of the tests/examinations. Being in situations that are physically outside of my control. Having people touching me. It sends my head straight back into abuse scenarios, even though intellectually I know that's not what's happening, my head disagrees. But also when I'm anxious I have major problems communicating effectively.

I don't have any friends who I can talk to about it, no.

 

[Sandstone]

I'm there at the moment. The thing I've found most helpful is to plan it and talk about it in advance, over and over. I spent two hours with my counsellor going over and over what I could do and say to manage one ultrasound. Plus talking here, to husband and to my panda - who was very helpful.

I was able to say to my GP what the non-negotiables were for me, because by the time I'd done all that talking I knew what they were, namely my husband had to be there, and the exam bed could not be against a wall. It took that amount of talking to believe it was OK for me to ask for those things. It helps that my GP is very caring and if anything over-supportive. When she ordered the ultrasound, she asked for both those things and added that she had observed I was better able to cope after waiting in a quiet room.

When it came to it, I had an appointment at the end of the day , with an empty waiting room, and the things I'd asked for were provided without me needing to broach them. I was still a bit dissociated, but I realise that is more to do with the place than tests themselves. But I didn't panic and run as I have in the past, and thank god didn't have a flashback.

I'm going to add the advice my panda gave me, because it wasn't said by anyone else. You need to give the person doing the test a good experience too. It is a good thing to do what you need to make it smooth for you, because they want to feel good about it, not to go home guilty they upset a patient. Surprisingly wise for a 15 inch tall monochrome ursine.

 

[digger]

I won't be able to see my counsellor till next Tuesday. I'm hoping the GP won't think tests are so urgent that they need to be done before then. I don't really have anyone else I can talk to other than here.

The GP I'm seeing I haven't had particularly good experiences with in the past, but I don't have a lot of choice with that. You have to book week's in advance if you want to choose which doctor you see and I don't really like any of them tbh! I'm trying to put that to one side and hope I've just caught her on off days before.

Part of the problem is that they don't have the full picture of my mental health or the causes because I've had to take the private route with therapy as the NHS messed me around so badly. They are aware of a history of anxiety and depression because I've had meds in the past, but explaining why these things are so difficult is an issue.

 

[digger]

add the advice my panda

That is one wise panda ;)

 

[Sandstone]

Have you rehearsed what you want to say to the GP? probably a silly question, if it was me I'd have spent the whole night running through scripts.

 

[digger]

Have you rehearsed what you want to say to the GP?

I've written it down (four times so far!). Anxiety can leave me completely unable to speak at times or to stutter or forget what I need to say so I figured that was best, even though it feels like it might go against me in terms of getting taken seriously.

 

[Sandstone]

Or it could show that you are taking this seriously and will do whatever is needed to manage your health.

 

[digger]

I'm going to add the advice my panda gave me, because it wasn't said by anyone else. You need to give the person doing the test a good experience too. It is a good thing to do what you need to make it smooth for you, because they want to feel good about it, not to go home guilty they upset a patient.

This was actually very helpful. It felt more like I was able to give her the opportunity to play 'good doctor'.

Anxiety can leave me completely unable to speak at times or to stutter or forget what I need to say

This did happen, so I'm glad I was able to write down the main points I needed to and some of my concerns/anxieties beforehand. I've been a complete mess all day and was in panic mode for much of the appointment but did manage to stay put and do what needed to be done.

No extra tests/investigations for now, but it's not completely off the cards yet so I think I need to work on some more strategies with T just in case, because the last couple of days have been at Level : 'seriously f*cking ridiculous' anxiety wise!

 

[Sandstone]

I'm glad your preparation paid off, and very glad that your health is good enough not to need anything urgently.

 

[Deleted member 34424]

Mindfulness, deep breathing, meditation, exercise, yoga, read... Anything that keeps you in the here and now.