PTSD/CPTSD self affirmation
Affirmations for trauma can interrupt and challenge self-critical thoughts by placing the survivor in contact with an alternative, more encouraging thought. Affirmations for trauma can promote acceptance by helping the survivor recognize the validity of their emotions and experiences.
Here are some reminders we can use as positive self affirmation -
You can repeat some by replying to this thread.
@Optimisticsoul000
"Breathe, this too shall pass". Thankyou for the reminder! 💛
I really like these! Think they are very important. I just feel like 'well whoever wrote them doesn't know my situation therefore I don't deserve to believe in these things, how can they be true'. :(
@CalmCoral
That's sort of the trick w positive affirmations...repeating them over time is what contributes to positive shifts in mood, motivation, and self image. When starting, they don't require belief. It's more that focusing on them starts new (healthier) paths in the brain.
I used to think they were hokey, but during a hospitalization, I found out about research that they actually work.
An affirmation that keeps returning to me is, "If I put my wellbeing first, everything has a way of working out for the best." I totally didn't believe it at first, but over time, it has proven to be true in my life: the better I take care of myself, the calmer I am and the more internal resources I have at the ready to deal with whatever comes my way. I truly did not believe this when I started writing it down and have been grateful to have come to another conclusion in the end.
@orangeTree959
That makes sense - as though even just 'i deserve these affirmations' eventually make you believe it.
I like that affirmation 🌻
@CalmCoral
I am with you on that thought. I feel the same way . I guess deep down buried under everything that has been piling on me lately, I probably know otherwise.
All the negativity I feel, may not be real but it is the one thing that has stayed persistent and has grown roots so strong, I need to stay here and trust that somehow, someday , with the help of the kindness, love, compassion and support of the wonderful people here those roots of negativity will be destroyed.
I don’t have answers, and trusting anyone or anything is definitely not in my wheelhouse. I have to try and keep trusting that the community here can help because I know I am done if I don’t.
This community is strong, supportive and does come together if thing’s show the need.
I am with you , you are never alone , you are a beautiful person.
I really wish more people understood PTSD and cptsd.
I , personally, really struggle writing things down that I don’t feel any connection to.
I t probably stems from when I was a child having to write sentences as punishment for things that I didn’t feel were wrong or were not deserving of anything more than an apology. I also got my paddled along with that. There were no discussions of anything, it seemed like I was at fault for anything that happened in or around that house. Whether I was or wasn’t.
Anyway, If I come across words that work, I have a dry erase board that I put them on so I can see them, I do have to rewrite them probably 100 times so I can read them a little.
I wonder what the point is though.
We might distract ourselves for a bit but it doesn't change anything.
It doesn't make life easier or make it go away, or give the indigenous people back their lives or anything like that.
It doesn't bring back people who died through suicide or murder.
What's the point in this other than a brief redirect against this simmering disaster we all live in?
@Optimisticsoul000
@Dallady
Without diminishing what you've shared, I think the point is that doing positive affirmations has been studied to shift mood and thoughts in a positive direction over time. Doesn't mean they'll appeal to or even work for everyone, but there is evidence that it has positive effects over time for a statistically significant slice of the people studied.
In other words, in general, it tends to be effective to some degree.
@orangeTree959
Caveat is I learned about this back in 2018, so the science may have shifted since then.
@Optimisticsoul000
thank you so much for this inspiring post, i believe that everyone suffering from PTSD and CPTSD whould hear these words! no one knows what they are going through emotionally, and i believe that 7 Cups listeners can and do help them with their emotions! that is what makes 7 Cups special!!!
@NewYorker11 I agree with you!
I just wish other medical pros saw this
@Optimisticsoul000
I like these affirmations and I see how they help. I have a few when I was in college dealing with mental health but i struggle to say the words myself as I feel like I would love someone to tell me these words but struggle to tell myself those words.
@InternalAcceptance some more mantras!
I love affirmations! I have a big collection of affirmations. I use affirmations every day. Thanks for this inspirational post.