CPTSD in Covid-19 lockdown

[Lilypad]

Hi,

I live in the UK and we are currently in a covid 19 lockdown. I cannot begin to describe how triggering this is for my CPTSD. We are being told to stay home and avoid socialising. I live alone. This is sheer torture for my abandoned inner child. It seems like it will be going on for months which is bringing up feelings of interminable dread. I have a great therapist and good friends who I have been video calling, but it is not the same as meeting in person. I have no idea how I am going to get through this. I guess many people will be experiencing the same thing.

[Blueberry]

I'm sorry this situation is so triggering for you and so terrible for your inner child. You are certainly not alone in that.

Here https://cptsd.org/forum/index.php?topic=13219.0 we even have a support thread for these coronavirus times, so if you haven't seen that, you might like to read it.

My impression is that even people without cptsd are wondering how to get through all this, so it's no surprise some of us on here feel really worried.

We are here for you. I know it's not the same as meeting in person, but for many of us on here it's definitely helpful and was so long before covid19.

[Kizzie]

If you're not yet on total lock down where you live maybe you could arrange to meet with a friend or two and go for a walk keeping a safe distance apart.  On a drive the other day we passed by a house where some neighbours had gathered out front and were sitting talking in camping chairs spaced 6 metres apart.  Together but apart.  

An interesting suggestion I just saw today was to consider fostering a rescue animal.  I don't know if that that would be possible or desirable for you but if so it's a creative, positive way of dealing with your loneliness and a win for the animal.   

Another thought I had was to think of ways to indulge your inner child with things s/he probably missed out on - crafts, TV shows, movies, anything that is fun and positive that she would enjoy. Also giving extra comfort and reassurance that adult you will keep her/him as safe as possible.

Just some thoughts - stay safe and well   

[Bach]

I have an abandoned inner child who feels the same way.  Doing something creative is a great suggestion.  The other day when she was in an especially severe panic and was having trouble breathing, we "drew" several deep breaths by putting a pen on paper and making a big convex curve as we breathed into our diaphragm, and then a concave curve as we pushed out the breath for as long as we could.  It helped both of us.  We've also drawn some colourful flowers on her chalkboard wall to remind us that spring is coming and there are things we love that are still happening despite all the bad circumstances.

Lots of good wishes to you and your inner child, Lilypad.

[Kizzie]

    

I must say my crafts boxes are calling me. They're still packed from moving in Oct but seems a good time to dig everything out and wile away some time colouring & painting and so on.     

[Lilypad]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I am feeling quite a bit better now. I think i went into a big flashback after the lockdown announcement, but am actually OK now I am over the shock. We are still allowed out for exercise once a day, and it is still possible to meet a friend for a walk, so that has been a big help. We also had some very sunny days, which boosted everyone 's spirits.

I think I need to be careful whilst feeling isolated to seek support, but still have strong boundaries around unhelpful contact with narcisstic family members, or from friends /acquaintances who are scare - mongering.

I like the idea of doing something creative. I will think about that. Thanks everyone.

[Not Alone]

Glad you are feeling a bit better. Having a flashback after lockdown announcement makes sense.

I think I need to be careful whilst feeling isolated to seek support, but still have strong boundaries around unhelpful contact with narcisstic family members, or from friends /acquaintances who are scare - mongering.

I like the idea of doing something creative. I will think about that. Thanks everyone.

That sounds like great, healthy self-care.

[Kizzie]

Lilypad, glad to hear you're doing better. 

[Lilypad]

Thanks so much, guys