What Things Do/Did You Do To Distance Yourself From Your Memories/Pain/PTSD Symptoms?

[upstream]

Yeah I do the self help book thing too, my brother thinks they're ruining my mind. I've put them aside the past few months.

It's rare that I actually try to distract myself from my symptoms. Usually I confront the memories and feelings head on by analyzing them, thinking critically about them, or trying to re-frame them into a different perspective.

What I noticed help me escape from them was exercise. If I'm overwhelmed with physical pain I don't notice the emotional pain. Swing dancing helped too, though not sure why.

Then about a year ago when the symptoms got bad I found I could escape it by watching television drama. I started watching reruns of Brothers & Sisters, Battlestar Galactica, and other drama's online. Losing myself in other people's pain helped me forget about my own.

 

[linasmom]

Here is another question:
Does any one actually know what a pschologically healthy person really is?

Hmm, that's loaded. First, who is setting that standard? Secondly, what is the standard? Thirdly, can everyone agree that said standard is the truth and agree upon its place in some objective reality?

 

[upstream]

There's such a thing as a psychologically healthy person?

This psychologist on YouTube claims that it is impossible to exist and not be diagnosed with some sort of disorder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb5F58OFTis

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

Hey upstream, why does your brother think those self help books are ruining your mind? Did he give you some examples of why he feels that way? Are you behaving in a way he doesn't like since you have read them? I hope he isn't the type that sees that as a weakness and is preventing you from getting well.

Those books have helped me a great deal.

Would you mind telling me about this a little more?

Thanks
Tammy

 

[upstream]

Hey Tammy, he didn't say. Not sure, perhaps I'll ask next time I talk to him.

 

[insomniakat]

Shopping/Buying actually effects your brain chemistry and gives you a mood boost. That's why if you're depressed you can actually feel "good" when you buy something.

There is also a potential to get addicted to the feeling.

 

[Murphy's Law]

My phases, as I like to call them, usually include shopping, tearing down/renovating (I love the destruction aspect of it):wall:, and of course the alchohol. And they always go way beyond my means, and abilities.
Thankfully now few and far between. Definitly all or nothing though.

 

[2quilt]

When I meet a perfectly psychologically healthy person, I will let you all know. It doesn't exist. It's a continuum between 'more mentally stable than I am and less stable than I am' and I try to associate with the 'more stable' group.

 

[Shoshin]

One of my numbing strategies has always been smoking and drinking...god I love it, and I still fall into it...like yesterday!

I did not learn this at home at all. My parents were straight arrows who never drank or smoked. They did not even swear.

I cuss like a sailor when I am away from work, love my ale, stout, wine, tequila, bourbon, whisky, gin, calvados, port...ride my scooter too fast, flirt with women...

My T says I am an adrenaline junkie who likes risks. At the same time I have been "covering" for soooo long that I am smart. Never been caught! I can go weeks or even months with no booze or smokes. Always have a plan B, an alibi, a cover story, an exit route...Perhaps that is the thrill that takes me away from the pain, the memories, the truth and reality. When none of these strategies works, I head to the woods and just hit "reboot".

I would like to say I am past all of these things now that I have been in therapy for three months and on meds...but that would not be true. I think my bipolar and my stubborness and my ego all complicate things.:occasion: :wall: :crazy::doh:

 

[spiritofnow]

When I meet a perfectly psychologically healthy person, I will let you all know. It doesn't exist. It's a continuum between 'more mentally stable than I am and less stable than I am' and I try to associate with the 'more stable' group.

Great way of seeing things :smile:

Spirit x

 

[spiritofnow]

Does any one actually know what a pschologically healthy person really is?

Drum roll please........................................and the answer is; a foetues! :rofl:sorry I was being faceitous. Perhaps it is the closest we will ever get though? I guess the beauty of human nature is that we are imperfect? Our imperfections are what make us uniqiue from each other!

Spirit x

 

[spiritofnow]

Okay I am going to be really brave and list all of mine, past and present.

Cleaning, rearranging the house, painting (the house until some ungodly hour), alcohol, food, drugs (illegal and socially accpetable), sex, spending, internet, music, thoughts (obsessive and on the surface stuff), workaholic......I guess that means that I should just read books and watch t.v ;-)

I have already left the majority of these behind me..................

Spirit x