What Do You Usually Do When Having Ptsd "on"?

[Me Myself and I]

How do you distract yourself? And does it work?

Cause it seems like i just can't concetrate in doing anything in the middle of it!!

 

[Thinkingman85]

I tried distracting myself for six years through work, having a girlfriend, making music, etc. I thought by doing those things, the PTSD would go away. Now, I accept it and am battling it. It can be defeated. For the time being, I'm keeping my friends close but my enemy closer (PTSD/depression).

 

[timid_flower]

At my worst concentration was nearly impossible. As I've made progress my concentration level depends on the day. If I am having a good day, I'm able to focus on other things for fairly long periods of time.

On bad days, I have short periods of concentration I can power through. I'll be able to focus on something. Then I'll try to do simple things like watching tv, only to discover an hour later I have no idea what I just watched. Or I'll try to read a book and find myself at the end of a chapter with no recollection of what I just read.

It varies from day to day. On good days, I try to do as much as possible. On bad days, I try really hard to just get through.

Sorry, I wish I had a better answer for you :)

 

[Me Myself and I]

I've tried so many things!! But nothing worked so far!!

It's as if this whole PTSD thing is taking over my life and I just can't let that happen!!

I wonder sometimes if it's just me?? Am I somewhat exagerating?? Or that is how it actually feels like in most of the cases??

I really don't know!!

 

[timid_flower]

Case in point, it just took me over half an hour to type my previous post! :laugh:

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Just a quick though... Why not start with something small? Break down your goals ( daily and long term) in to doable step by step goals.

Today I will go to the store but first I need too:

1) Have my breakfast.​

2) Take a shower​

It might help with your focus. With time and practice it can get better, you just have to start somewhere.

 

[Me Myself and I]

That is actually simple and easy, I like the idea :)
Thank you

 

[Hashi]

Hi Nabii nabzz,

Do you mean how to distract from intrusive thoughts and memories, anxiety etc? Sorry, not quite sure what you mean...

 

[Me Myself and I]

Yes, exactly! :)

 

[therapybankrupt]

I know this is not the best but I isolate and sleep!

 

[aka]

I use tv, music, books, games, and daydreaming as forms of distraction. They help with intrusive thoughts but really do nothing for dealing with underline emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, and or depression. These emotions are usually dealt with by isolation and or emotional numbing which allows me to cope with daily life. The down side of this is that you can only bottle emotion for so long and then I will have an emotional meltdown (but it is usually when I am alone). The best distraction I have found is jogging or other forms of exercise it decreases intrusive thoughts as well as emotions and increases my ability to concentrate. Hope this helps..;)

 

[AS1975]

I talk to my dog (literally), when I haven't got a bung ankle (like at the moment), I'll go for a walk. I avoid total disassociation by just getting something to eat, a second hand novel and just sitting somewhere where there are a lot of people, like a shopping center, and just watching interaction from the safety of the sideline. I also accept it when I cannot concentrate (took me a long time to do that), you cannot force it, you cannot fake it, you just have to accept it (and for some reason it takes less time, or seems to, before you can). When I get bad, I actually write gibberish and believe it is good work, it sucks but this crap is so sneaky it is amazing.