What Did You Do To Cope?

[EvenStrongerNow]

Share with us what your most prominent ptsd symptom of the day is and what you are doing or plan to do to cope with it. Let's talk about tools that we learned.

I'll start:

Mine today was anxiety and depression. I went on a 20 minute walk and sat in the sun, ate an orange, a granola bar, and a big chicken salad. I also put emergenC into a water to get my vitamins. I reached out in the group here, I called people on the phone to get out of my head. I turned on music and danced around the living room--I frolicked like a little girl. I brushed my teeth, I got dressed and I did my makeup.

I also emailed a place to see if they have any volunteer opportunities to get me out of the house during the day. I scheduled a coffee date with a girl that I barely know. I met her in a college class. I decided to reach out and make a friend. We are meeting up tomorrow at 2pm. I picked the time and place rather than making her do it because it's usually my comfort zone to allow others to make all of the decisions.

I'm feeling less depressed now and less anxious and it sucks that I might have to do all of that again tomorrow to feel better, but so be it. I deserve it and I'm worth it.

 

[FindingMyself88]

Wow, I think you did amazing things to help yourself today! :tup: You are so strong!

My biggest symptom of the day actually just happened and that was having a panic attack due to seeing a roach!!! I have a diagnosed phobia to roaches due to something that was done to me as a child. I saw it on the floor about 5-7 feet from me and jumped up on the couch, yelling incoherently at my stepdad to kill it! He doesn't understand my fear and so he picked it up in a tissue, killed it and went to put it in the trashcan. I freaked out on him because roaches are hard to kill and I become paranoid that it isn't dead and will crawl out of the trash. He got mad at me and so my mom had to get it out of the trash and flush it before I would quit freaking out.

My heart is still pounding and I keep "seeing" things out of the corner of my eyes, I'm itchy all over and jumpy… I know I will have nightmares tonight and probably nights to come. Bristol, my SDiT immediately came to my side and has been grounding me. It will be a long night :(

 

[GG-love]

I had a panic attack, I felt it coming on so I tried to remove myself from the situation so that the bf's kids who I haven't known for very long wouldn't see me have a melt down. But I am ultra irritated at his attitude about it. I drove home fighting the attack and flashback, my daughter disappointed because we had to leave and she was having fun, and came in my house trying not to puke up the supper we just had. So now I am here because now after the panic has worn off I am irritated and will likely not sleep well if at all first because of the discussion that caused the original panic attack and flashbacks. Now I just feel broken and on edge...I tried to read to calm myself and can't concentrate.

 

[bitterfight_]

Good for you!!

Today I had a panic attack when there were two ladies in front of me at the outpatient clinic having a heated argument. I stepped away from the situation, did some deep breathing and muscle tensing-relaxation exercises, and came back to it. Still felt nauseated and I was severely dissociated after this, but still! I did well I think :)

 

[Britt.f7]

I've been leaving the house to help get myself use to doing so without anxiety. The anxiety is still there, but I think I am getting better at it. It has been four days in a row of leaving my house. I will not have to again until Friday. Today is an anxiety free day. I'm just tired from my chronic illness, but relaxed since I don't have to leave.

 

[Recovery4Me]

Great thread EvenStrongerNow ! Happy forthcoming B-day (btw):joyful::tup: Figured it was cool to congrat as 30 is a big deal, yes? I almost remember mine myself:hilarious:.

Today is recognizing small victories as being solid steps of success. Shaking off fear as well as negativity, while refocusing on the positive and trusting things will turn out eventually. Eating healthy with extra greens (so far) to coat the axon to allow better synaptic firing. I seem to focus better with organic B vitamin loads. Now off to a wee nap.

Thanks for asking.