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Messages - sky

#1
oh my gosh NarcKiddo - thank you SO MUCH for sharing the solution your therapist gave you - Yes, this is exactly what i do - its tortuous isn't it? To feel so compelled to think about what could go wrong and then, how could i handle that?  could I?  wave of terror, repeat - its so exhausting.  It's such a relief to know someone else feels this way!!!   :stars:  I was just listening to this video put out for soldiers and although i'm not a soldier I think it would help anyone with CPTSD who has experienced traumatic situations and people.  https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/coping_RESET.asp  (scroll down half way on the page and watch the "reset" video.  In it she talks about how to deal with troubling thoughts - the more we try to manage them the harder they are to manage and she gives 4 things that can be done - I hope this video helps you and others - i think it could help me as well.  Again NarcKiddo - i'm very grateful for you sharing your therapists thoughts - I NEVER thought of doing the things she suggested and I really think it will help me!   Best, Sky.
#2
I appreciate what you said RainyDiary.  As I was thinking about this I thought of a technique I heard of recently called Acceptance - instead of seeing the Worse Case Scenario thoughts as staying with me I could just see them on leaves floating down a river and away.  Somehow I thought that might be worth a try.
#3
i have CPTSD from years of abuse from my ex husband.  Now i have worse case scenario thinking and feel completely at its mercy - often feeling completely terrified. i try to apply CBT and alter my thoughts but the WCS thinking seems overwhelming.  I'd be interested in hearing what others do who experience this problem.
#4
I know intense emotions are one sign I'm in an emotional flashback, but then I always say to myself - but maybe I'm just having these intense emotions about the present situation because of a present situation (that doesn't involve abuse).  I've read that its easier to know you are having a PTSD flashback because there are more signs (visual memories of specific events) but with CPTSD there is just the emotional stuff - it's frustrating to try to figure out if I'm in an emotional flashback.  Would love to hear others thoughts on this.
#5
thank you to those who have replied so far - very kind of you to do that!  Its a big relief to hear i may be predisposed to catastrophizing because of the past trauma - I was wondering if that was true.  Also notice that sorting through emotions is easier when i've had enough sleep.  Unfortunately the challenging of catastrophizing doesn't work well for me - challenges like "how likely do you think it is that your worst case scenario thought will occur?" seem ludicrous to me because if i thought it wasn't very likely then i wouldn't be so intent on thinking it, so i must think its pretty likely! Sometimes i think i cling to it because i think it protects me somehow - but it sure is uncomfortable thinking it. 
#6
I don't know what to do about this "double" thing that happens...

I'll be feeling anxious about a current situation (medical), feeling out of control and anxious i'll get hurt.
This triggers flashbacks to when i got hurt and was out of control of a situation in the past with an abusive husband.

The "emotional" flashback "colors" the present situation with extreme emotions (worst case scenarios usually), and its difficult to sort out and deal with the "normal" anxiety one would feel with a medical situation. 

I find myself applying worst case scenario thoughts to present medical situation and believing they are true.  Having the emotional flashback emotions at the same time as the present situations anxiety is really confusing. 

Does anyone have this difficulty?
#7
Thank you for that clarification Kizzie,
I don't know a whole lot about flashbacks, just beginning to read about it online.  Its interesting that you wrote EF because I think that means emotional flashback (from what I've been reading on this site) - and I was wondering if that was the type I was having. For you to refer to what I wrote as an EF matches what I've been thinking they are - its wonderful to have a direction on it because it gives me hope that there is help for it out there :-)

I've read only a tiny bit about HSP in the past and will definitely check out the link you gave.  Just wanted also to mention that as I've been looking at different things through this site - your entries always seem so attentive and compassionate - that is like an oasis - thank you so much for your kindness :-)
#8
Ah, thanks I'll do that!

I also wanted to thank those who replied - it makes things so much easier when you know you are not alone with the things you feel!

#9
I'm sorry if that last thing I said about my ex husband was a trigger for anyone - I looked for the thing they talked about on here about putting trigger alerts on your message if one thinks it could trigger anyone - but iI couldn't find it.
#10
Thank you for understanding - it is overwelming - and frustrating because I know that the true answer lies in the way I am thinking about the problem-i learned that it is not the situation that causes me to feel a certain way but the way that I think about it and yet when it occurs I am overtaken.

I appreciate the tips about laws and landlords - I have a plan of action - cover with plugs or headphones or if its too loudly there is always the police option which I reserve for the really loud stuff - fortunately that isn't very often -moving likely isn't a resolution either as there is always someone who is inconsiderate and loud. 

I have tried the soothing technique of lacing my fingers together on my lap - somehow it is calming.

I wonder if at times I have flashbacks because it is so bad I breathe heavy and I feel shaky and a bit disconnected from my surroundings.  All I can think of is them - I can't concentrate on anything else.

I've heard of phonophobia and wonder if that is my problem.  My ex husband was physically abusive for many years and he would come up close to me 'very angry and loud and hit me.
#11
thank you keepfighting and Hysperger for your replies.
i am usually in touch with these types in three places
on the bus (loud talkers who are angry for example)
at work when people are talking really loudly.
in my apt building (loud neighbors who slam doors and stomp out of their apts and down the stairs)
I can wear earplugs and music to drown it out, but i don't like to always have to do that.
i also really dislike the concept of exposure therapy and know i will need to try it someday, but i'm not ready for that now.
i get really tense and angry!
any suggestions would be most helpful (i've googled and haven't come up with much)
  :blink:
#12
I get triggered by loud aggressive people and the suggested coping methods I have googled are breathing, muscle relaxation, grounding, which do extremely little for me as far as alleviating the upset I feel.  Am I alone in this?  Can anyone offer other things that have helped them?  I have also tried thinking differently ie. I am safe now , this is not the trauma, but I am still tense and upset.  Help! :-)
#13
Thank you Widdiful :-)   its really nice just to hear others express how they have the same problem!  I find that's true about dreams happening more often when one is dealing with an emotional issue - thanks again for the encouragement - I think we can heal.
#14
Thank you seasaw and Kizzie - actually have been under some stress recently and I did talk it out with a friend and that seemed to cause it to fade.  I appreciate your compassion - thank you!
#15
My ex abused me for years, physical, emotional' etc.  I have been away from him for many years now but the other night I had a very disturbing dream about him and I wish I could stop thinking about it but it plays over and over in my mind. Its terribly oppressive and upsetting. Question is there some technique to use to help me stop thinking about it?