Women’s Issues and How to Handle them

[BuildingSelf24]

Background: I had a particularly stressful day when I discovered that I had a period leak that stained my computer chair maybe half an hour before I had to leave to pick my brother up. This event was made worse by the usual lethargy and general gross feeling of being on my period. It only got worse when I cut my hand while heating up food. I was so tired and just down on myself at that point I kept dissociating and started falling asleep. I just gave up trying to be productive and went to sleep. I want to make being on my period a smoother process but dealing with CPTSD symptoms plus my period is just awful.

Question: What are some ways to handle that time of month to make them less stressful and PTSD brain friendly?

 

[Teamwork]

Track it, know when it could be about to start. Have a kit handy. We used to make them with pre-teen girls when we were introducing the topic of changing bodies. The kit was more than just body supplies as it included snacks favoured, anxiety reducers, enjoyable activities for bad moods and pain management. It was meant to cover all that was going to happen and how to manage it. Journals help. The type where you track mood, sleep, anxiety, emotions. It helps reassure you that what is happening is hormonal shifts and mind and body responses to it. In other words you track so that you learn to recognize what is typical in your patterns before during and after the cycle and what works for you. Sleep needs have to be met if it is an issue for you. Some people get more anxious, or depressed. Tracking helps you acknowledge what is typical for you and allows you to meet the need as well as reassure yourself that in a day or two will this will shift. It takes faithful tracking so that you can anticipate and adjust. Exercise is also huge in reducing stress, as is comfort plans, items, habits. Not much different than when cptsd flares in our life for other reasons. The plan is to make yourself as comfortable as possible and know what works for you and plan to do it. Over time you’ll get a handle on going through it smoothly in ways that work for you.

 

[BuildingSelf24]

Track it, know when it could be about to start. Have a kit handy. We used to make them with pre-teen girls when we were introducing the topic of changing bodies. The kit was more than just body supplies as it included snacks favoured, anxiety reducers, enjoyable activities for bad moods and pain management. It was meant to cover all that was going to happen and how to manage it. Journals help. The type where you track mood, sleep, anxiety, emotions. It helps reassure you that what is happening is hormonal shifts and mind and body responses to it. In other words you track so that you learn to recognize what is typical in your patterns before during and after the cycle and what works for you. Sleep needs have to be met if it is an issue for you. Some people get more anxious, or depressed. Tracking helps you acknowledge what is typical for you and allows you to meet the need as well as reassure yourself that in a day or two will this will shift. It takes faithful tracking so that you can anticipate and adjust. Exercise is also huge in reducing stress, as is comfort plans, items, habits. Not much different than when cptsd flares in our life for other reasons. The plan is to make yourself as comfortable as possible and know what works for you and plan to do it. Over time you’ll get a handle on going through it smoothly in ways that work for you.

Wow! I never thought about a kit that would help with that. I know that I usually get really lethargic, crampy, and just down on myself when it happens. I’ve been able to predict when it will happen with a 1-2 day margin of error. I even set a calendar event to remind me but the day-to-day of managing it is hard. I think I’m still learning that it’s okay and good to prioritize my comfort. Reminding myself that and having a kit or set things I do would definitely be helpful.

Thank you! I’ll definitely implement this ASAP.