General You Can Make A Difference To Symptoms!

[Nicolette]

I have always erred on the side of caution when Anthony has been unwell, even just showing sign of it, in relation to going out. I always found it was best not to push as the results were unfavorable when I did.

Well, interestingly enough I noticed a change last week. As you know we have been going to dance lessons & before going I could see the telltale signs. I asked Anthony if he wanted to stay home even though I did want to go. Surprisingly he said he would still go which was great news but I was also apprehensive.

Anthony walked out of dancing looking 100% better & he said himself he felt better. I was so pleased. When I used to be able to get him out walking it had the same effect,

My advice, find physical things they like & encourage participation. I know exercise makes me feel better and seeing it lift PTSD symptoms is even better.

 

[amethist]

I totally agree with you on this Nicolette.

The few times before the weather got bad again, I got hubby to go out for a walk with me, it did make a heck of a difference. Once I am back on my feet, we will be starting this again.

I did notice he was mentally tired after, but that was it. No anxiety issues, no " I can't do this", nothing. Just "I enjoyed that". Plus seeing parts of where we live he has not seen before, (Always went out on the bike before this).

So many places to go and look at, only minutes from where we live. We always explored any where new we went to before, so just doing the same thing, but closer to home.

This is a type of therapy that will help him get back some of his old self.

 

[KP the nut]

I agree with you both. I avoid going out BUT will sometimes make the effort more for my beloved H than for me. It always seems such an effort to get booted up and wrapped up warmly, when I could just as easily sit staring into space.

However I always feel better mentally afterwards and grateful that he takes the times and cares enough to encourage me. It lightens my mood. For instance on Tuesday morning the sun was glorious, we packed coffee and croissants and took the dogs down to the riverside park (only 5 minutes from where we live). It was so relaxing sitting in a sunny spot having breakfast and laughing at the doggie antics as they chased one another.

I just have to keep telling myself it is worth the effort. It is just so damn hard.

 

[Jade-]

My husband told me he would like us to start Tai Chi classes together. At first I laughed about it....but after reading up on it, it may be worth trying.

The hardest part would be actually making myself go for the first class.

 

[KP the nut]

Yesterday I woke feeling rage as I have never felt before. I just wanted the world to leave me alone, didn't even tell H how I was feeling. I used every technique I could think of just to get back into the day.

I decided to bake cookies, kneading dough and accomplishing something made me feel better. H watched the rugby, I came to the forum. Then H bounds up the stairs, 'come on, it is a nice late afternoon, let's go walk the dogs'. OMG, let me die. I didn't. I put the mask on and off we went, it was lovely. Gentle exercise, watching ducks on the pond and the dogs crashing through undergrowth. it did me so much good.

H did a bit of computer work and I, wait for it cos I haven't felt like doing this for a long time, I cooked supper. H came downstairs and said he'd go cook, nice surprise for him that I'd done it.

So a good day. It is such an effort but making that effort does relationships the world of good.

 

[Gamereign555]

My onset was absolutely terrifying and it rocked me to the core and laid me out for 4 months.

Sometimes I say 'no' and my girlfriend doesn't push me. It does make me feel better to go on a walk when its bad or go to the dog park (when its not too busy). Actually once I was going to skip a meeting with my therapist because the night before I had woken with a panic attack and could not get back to sleep. I was drained mentally and physically and was probably still in panic mode hours and hours later.

My girlfriend was going to let it slide but when I called my counselor she basically said "No you need to get down here right now" she was very adamant and stern about it. So I went. Since then I have able to at least think about pushing myself to get out there and do what needs to be done even though I feel like total crap. The feeling of accomplishment gave me an important boost that later gave me the confidence to return to my job, saving it. I had gone to the hospital in the same day even.

I think the combination of 'wanting to get better' and encouragement from my girlfriend and therapist was what I needed to fight my feelings with the exposure. I had to want it and I had to know that I could do it if I tried. And that has brought us closer together in our relationship for sure. Now when she says I need to get out because I'm getting worse, I don't argue with her, she is right. And I am glad the encouragement is there.

 

[Nicolette]

We have worked out that dancing call pull Anthony out of a funk.

Last week I was busy so when he said he didn't want to go dancing I let it slide. Silly me & him. We both realized that even though he didn't want to go tonight he had to force himself & I made sure I could go. The difference is amazing with just an hour investment of both our time. Teamwork!

 

[Sunshine71]

Thanks for this wonderful information and inspiring stories.

I feel the excersise helps although my husbands knees are playing up at the moment so he hasnt been able to go for some time.

We did go for a swim yesterday and just 5 mins in the sauna was good.

I feel we need to do more like this. With a young son it is difficult to find 'grown up' time - if it helps it has to be done.

Any more ideas about what is good to do evenings or even daytime too??

:O)

 

[KP the nut]

Any more ideas about what is good to do evenings or even daytime too??

:O)

When my children were young. H and I would book a days holiday from work whilst the kids were at school. We then did something for ourselves. Anything, we would go for walks, picnics, ten pin bowling, it was a mini break for us and I'm sure it helped our marriage.

 

[Sunshine71]

Thanks we have done this too - but not for a while. I get caught up in my work and building a business. I know sadly think I have some difficult decisions to make. as I need to take more time out with my husband. He is SO important to me and going down hill at the moment has reminded me of this.

With thanks x

 

[Gamereign555]

It sounds like I have a lot to learn in that, I may feel like im a lot better now but that I could at some point again and again experience how bad I was in the beginning.
How do I plan for that exactly?..It seems like it would be easiest for me to go back on the same meds I got off of after trying so hard.

I guess I dont understand all that well the dynamics of the disorder, is it normal to get better then get worse and so on?

 

[Nicolette]

is it normal to get better then get worse and so on?

Yes - improvement, then more work may lead to what seems like regression and then hopefully improvement. Also just the illness itself in a stress free day can be "better" and too much stress can be "getting worse".