WHUT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT YOU COPE AND HANDEL PTSD ?
There are a lot of different ways to cope with PTSD! Some are positive, and some are negative.
Personally, I use physical activity, employment and a busy schedule to help manage my symptoms.
On the negative end of things, previously I have used substances, self-harm, and risky behaviors such as ATVing, bungee jumping, cliff diving, etc. to gain some sort of foothold on the adrenaline running through my whole body.
There's this energy that lives in you, with PTSD, and it's like an alarm bell ringing inside a metal cage. Endless and shrieking. For me, coping necessarily has had to involve ways to 'drown it out,' so to speak.
@sharkradio
Thanks for your transparency! I did a lot of the drowning out, but that did me no good. The minute I slowed down, I'd 'need' to do something else.
But, the distractions did help me some. Maybe it's like the old saying, a little too much of a good thing can become bad? (Don't quote me on that... My memory is not as sharp as it used to be! Haha)
Either way, it's great to see how you were/are able to recognize what worked for you and what you found to be a negative way of coping. Thanks for sharing!
listening to music, video games, talking to someone, taking my medications, exercising and yoga to name a few of my coping skills
@LeoDoseSpiritulHealing
For me... I try to take time learning my triggers and reminding myself that I (mind, body, soul) need time to heal from the experiences. Some days can be difficult, but remembering that I'm now in a safe place helps me keep me a bit focused.
I certainly deal differently, but I think everyone does things differently.
one thing that really helped me was controlled breathing and anxiety reducing exercises. Also my therapist used EMDR techniques that really helped me.
Grounding statement
My name is (insert name). I am (insert age) years old. It is (insert date). I am currently in (insert location) (insert activity). I am safe, they can't hurt me anymore. I know I am safe because (use 5 senses).
Example
My name is Psalm 139. I am 27 years old. It is Friday the 9th June 2017. I am currently in my bedroom watching a movie. I am safe, they can't hurt me anymore. I know I am safe because I can see my phone next to me. I can feel my doctor who pillow under my left arm. I can hear the audio from the movie.