Living with PTSD (Potentially Triggering Material)

[Faith-and-Hope]

Hugs @Former-Member ..... ❤️💐🌷🐬💜💕

[Former-Member]

I lay awake again all last night.  In the end I got thinking about what my psych was attempting to tell me during my appointment on Tuesday.  I think it's finally starting to sink in.

Okay, so she said it needed to be all about self care right now, otherwise I am of no use to anybody, much less myself. 

She spoke at length about eating properly and nutrition, and also getting adequate sleep.  Yep, I think I've finally got it!  It's not nice how a sleep and nutrition deprived, panicked brain fails you.

So, it's all about taking care of the basics ... right? Okay ... got it.  So how do I go about doing that?

Firstly, the eating and nutrition bit - what are the reasons I am not doing that a little better than I am?  A number of reasons that I can see - I'm not hungry, I couldn't be bothered preparing meals just for myself, I don't feel like going out to shop, anxiety symptoms are causing me to feel ill, it's hard to eat when you are on the verge of panic, eating is the last thing on my mind right now. 

Secondly, getting adequate sleep - why is this such an issue right now?  Certainly I am not getting enough sleep, I get maybe a couple of hours some nights and other nights absolutely none!  Reasons?  Nightmares, over-thinking, can't shut down as there are too many things playing on my mind, heart rate is really high and heavily thumping in my head all night long.

My current feelings of hopelessness, despair, fear,  lack of appetite and subsequent somewhat alarming weight loss, are taking me right back to how I felt soon after my rape trauma. This is a little scary to me right now, and I think it concerned my psych on Tuesday as well.  I guess that's why she warned me I was likely to fall into a deep depression if I don't do something urgently about self care.

Anyway I can't allow that to happen as I have people relying on me for support. So if anybody has some suggestions on how to get out of this rut I have found myself in, then I'd really appreciate your advice.

Yes okay, so exercise is one option, it may help increase my apetite and assist in a better nights sleep.  But its just way too hard, I can barely drag myself around at the moment.  I did 10 mins on an exercise bike yesterday, then practically fell off and staggered around like a blind drunk for 20 minutes after.  I simply cant do it.  Yes, forcing myself to eat something nutritious each meal time is important.  And I am trying hard to do that, but I notice that I am continuing to lose weight.  I just feel like I am barely existing right now, and I cant see a way through that.

@Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51 @Zoe7 @Former-Member @Former-Member @Spookytookims

What is everyone up to for the Easter long weekend?  I'll be here on my own with no plans, so if anyone gets lonely, please give me a nudge!

Sherry xx  

[Former-Member]

Hugs @Former-Member I don't have anything useful to write at the moment but I just wanted you to know that I'm hearing you. Sending hugs

[Faith-and-Hope]

Me too @Former-Member .....

I will drop in on you across the weekend here ..... you're not alone ......

❤️💕

[Zoe7]

@Former-Member I will be on my own across the Easter period too so maybe we can hold each other up a little - I need that too at the moment 

There is nothing more I can say here either - other than I am hearing you also and sitting beside you when you need.

Zoe 

[Former-Member]

your doing the best you can @Former-Member under the circumstances your under.

easters an extremely hard time for me and i pretty much dont celebrate it at all but atm not sure of the families plans, but ill drop in and say over the weekend

[Shaz51]

Hugs @Former-Member xo

One step at a Time my Friend , look at things you are doing , doing little bits , eatinglittle bits throuhg the day

I am seeing a dietician now and she wants me to do this , do that , write everything down , I was really getting overwhelmed about this and she wants to see me again and she wants to see some results

so my friend , let get through this together , tell me what did you do today ? xx

[Former-Member]

Hello dear @Former-Member

Just read your post and I am concerned about you. Sleep and adequate nutrition is so important - I agree with your doc that you could be heading for a major mental relapse if you don't get enough of the latter. I have suffered (and still can) exactly the same. Adequate sleep is essential to cope and avoid a breakdown. @Former-Member are you taking anything to help you sleep presently? If not I would highly recommend you speak to your medical professional about this.

I have had ongoing nightmares every night with little sleep for 16 months now and tried to battle through on my own strength. Did quite well for awhile but now it's taking its toll on my physical and mental health. So I have relented and am taking something to sleep every night now. It is helping a lot and has eased the nightmares greatly and I am sleeping better. It is helping my overall health and I am coping better. Trauma and ongoing stress, as you and me have been under past and presently, is majorly responsible. And this distress does make the mind overactive and near impossible to switch off (which the night meds help with), and I also lost my appetite and the weight was falling off (due to stress/anxiety). In my experience this can lead to a breakdown if it goes on too long so please look after yourself my friend. 

Also what I found helps me to relax is to do those things that I enjoy like cross stitching, going out with a friend and really having a good laugh. When was the last time you had a really good laugh and fun time with others? This is so important to get out of a rut. And to stop ourselves from worrying all the time.

I am having a quiet Easter weekend so am here if you want some company as well. Tomorrow I am going to church for Good Friday, and then sometime over the weekend myself and hubby and going to inspect a house in a area we wish to move to. The latter is becoming g a very stressful event which has incurred a lot of heartbreak for me (long story). All my dreams seem to always go up in smoke - but it could always be worse I remind myself.

Please look after yourself my friend and ensure you get plenty of sleep. The lack of it does play havoc with the brain and coping abilities. I have had to force myself to eat at times - pushing myself to make nutritious meals and it has helped build up my strength and resilience. But there is nothing more healing, relaxing and rejuvenating for the mind and body than laughter and looking at the funny side of life for me. The best of medicine. Perhaps try and fit in watching a few comedies over the weekend - you would be surprised how much better a good laugh would make you feel. Something a lot of us whom suffer PTSD and mental stress have forgotten to do.

Here for you always. Hugs xxx💕

[Appleblossom]

Hi @Former-Member 

I am hopeless of the sleep side of things.

On the food - keep it simple

get into habit of always having a few things in stock, like carrots celery and fruit

grab things from the fridge rather than a packet

Cook up duplicate meals and freeze one

always have water around

Thats whats for lunch today for me anyway.

Dont fuss just do healthy food choices a litlle more

[Former-Member]

Just wanted to thank @Former-Member @Faith-and-Hope @Zoe7 @Former-Member @Shaz51 for your messages and well wishes yesterday.

I am having a very quiet lazy day today, not feeling like doing much at all.

I hope you are all having a lovely Good Friday.  My best wishes are with you.

Sherry xx