What do you do when your brain feels overloaded?

[Teasel]

Can't think straight to know which section this goes in. Sorry if I've picked the wrong one.

So my brain feels overloaded. Shall try and describe - feels like short circuited, too much input, can't think, very uncomfortable feeling.

Wanting to know if others feel like this and if you feel it's part of your PTSD or something else?

And what methods you have for dealing with the problem. I want yo say in and not in others company, cause its maybe easier when your alone.

Muchly appreciated any input thanks.

OK I'm maybe aware of an urge to keep switching what I check on so that would be elements of hypervigilance.

Sorry if I sound dumb I can't think properly.

I i felt a feeling of dread as it came over, feeling it's all too much.

 

[Ronin]

Glad you posted and timely :D

Depends where, with who I am and the situation, and what overload cause - and what compounds it.

Usually? Try to gain time and work on the bits within my power to sort.

Which often looks like 'Get safe, get water, get sugars, sleep.' At least in not-shot-at et all settings.

So... what tones down the overwhelm? What makes you feel you got this? :ninja:

And you *do* got this. :sneaky:

 

[Teasel]

what tones down the overwhelm? What makes you feel you got this? :ninja:

Remembering tools?
:D
Making self use tools instead of following the urge to keep scanning.

Withdraw for a bit.

 

[Teasel]

Am interested in keeping a list of things that help in this situation, or if anyone relates etc

Thanks for any input

 

[DharmaGirl]

I have felt this way more and more as my country goes nuts and I get closer to moving. I make myself pick one thing to do and do it, and that helps me snap out, but then I'm where I was before. I can't even rest since my back is so bad. I used to keep a card with grounding and self care things on it, and it worked then, it should work now. The only other thing I can think of at this moment is do something crafty that takes just a little concentration.

 

[Ronin]

Breaking it down / smaller chunks / KISS :sneaky:

Any way to think on - or write down, use planners and reminders and such apps or any other form- what can be & needs be done now, vs later?

Think works both on non trauma and trauma schtuffs.

With feels danger & is or isn't (alias: Do I sit this hypervig down or do I act on it?) I still tend to flow charts when instincts get difficult & hard to trust.

As in Does it look like THIS? Do THAT. Not sure how to see right? Ask up (who / where / how) ;)

 

[Teasel]

Thanks both.

I wanted to ask about it here while I was in that headrace because I seem to forget what it's like or even that it happens much afterwards.

Coming across and using an ACT app on my phone that I didn't even remember getting was helpful today too.

I use lists and planners extensively already, I really need them, have done for years.

Pick one thing and do it sounds similar to my 'just one thing' thing, which is helpful in getting me out of my head and doing something.

Though I don't easily remember such things when I really need em. Hence wanting yo add some more things to my list of tools that help with this thing in particular.

I guess I want some easy enough ways to un short circuit my brain, and some ways I can do it public too.

Thanks for any input

 

[Ronin]

Do items to carry with you help any?

Mementos, something noisy (I used to have a jingle for ages. D'uh, braain? We are making nooise here. Speaking of which, where IS here and what am I doing here, other than noise?), something different texture or shape than your usual (just caareful... self injury risks) - but I mean like lil stones, gems, leaves, coins, the like?

Or lil origamis with messages in them?

Something that reminds you to self care *and* grounds even if "now" is a floaty indecisive thing?

 

[Teasel]

Yeah, grounding things help me to ground, and I already have a pretty good list of those on my phone.

But this feeling overloaded / short circuited feels quite different to floaty or numb dissociation or intense emotions of being triggered.

It happens when there is too much input. Very commonly happens when Mr is talking to me - he talks relentlessly without pause, very detailed information and he's very aggressive when I don't follow perfectly.

I mean getting away from him helps enormously, and I go that all the time but it still takes quite a bit of time to get back to normal.

 

[Ronin]

Does it help to find a single thing to do while Mr keeps his ragy monologues, and put all your attention into that task (and tuning him out)? (And then decompress somewhere your style, even if it brings on a meltdown)?

Or, what sorts of state does his going on get you into most - anxiety, depression, can't focus, detached, numb, angry and can't let it out, other? << IME it often helps to be aware of underlying / most suppressing heavy emotion...

Come back to that one when the wolves are away and I can breathe freer.

 

[Teasel]

I have various reactions to Mr's behaviour. Some of which are helped by grounding. I'm not trying to discuss those here.

The particular thing I'm trying to talk about here is feeling your brain is overloaded / short circuited / had too much input.

I already do remove myself from his company as soon as possible even before any problems occur and certainly when problems occur.

No worries if no one relates or has that particular feeling.

 

[Ronin]

Yeah but that. Rest up & Limit input until feeling more at capacity. Or doing something that's a no brainer.

Possibly pain killers, like if it produces tension headaches or anything somatic like that, treating that *and* resting.