Topic Tuesday // How do you cope with trauma? // 16 Aug, 7pm AEST

[Former-Member]

STRATEGIES I FIND USEFUL:
- Know signs of relapse & be proactive in getting extra support for a while through GP
- Counselling / psychologist, MH CM
- Rest when needed, sleep
- Nutrition (Vegies every day), vit & mineral supplements, Omega3, kelp.
- Prescribed meds
- walks
- Routine schedule
- Being kind to myself (mind & body), my own best friend. Its a work in progress.
- Self Compassion therapy exercises in Russ Harris's Bk, 'Reality Slap'
- Mindfulness exercises
- Mindfulness grounding exercises (particular useful when wake shaking with flashbacks).
- TaiChi
- My 'SOS Coping Box' of positive treasures.
- Gardening & nature
- If dissociating - Squeezing an ice cube, strong smells - like insense, perfume..., & tastes - suck lemon & pinch salt, strong peppermints herbal teas... All bring me back, reconnect.
- talk to someone - chats here, lifeline, friend

Think that covers most
-

[Bonny]

I'm sick of years of pscycology trying to find the right one and repeating my story over and over it's soooo draining and boring rehashing it all and someone else with there perspective and opionions and viewpoints and assumptions. I'm done!!!!

In saying that i have recently tried coaching and had small gains with that as I feel it is proactive and has a momentum of moving forward and focusing on the here and now not stuck in the past or trying to be somewhere else in the future.

[SGW]

@Bonny i hear ya girl... I am connected to others through helping them and i am a very social person. I am developing bounderies as in one of the previous versions of myself (i am a work in progress continually evolving and growing) i ahev a tendency to want to do as much as i can and as a resault i have attracted narcissists and sociopaths which have only drained me. I am weary of friendships and know it will be a long time before i am capable of a romantic relationship and a family (if ever). But then again how much do people who have not been traumatised actually trust others? When i have trust worthy people around my reaction will be different 🙂 

[Bonny]

AWESOME Tawny 

[NikNik]

I'm sorry to hear that @AussieGirl
It can be really hard to connect with the right psychologist or health care professional - but from what I've read and experienced - worth the perseverance.
Are you connected to any community services that have been helpful (ie: social worker, support worker, support groups)?

[j___________]

I find the idea of being 'kind to yourself' very difficult. How do I give myself permission to do this when I can't escape negative thought patterns and soaring anxiety and depths of depression.

[1stepup61]

Hi Okay, was that overseas? Wow! That would feel good. 1stepup

[j___________]

It's important to find the right therapist but how do you do this without looking like you're 'Dr shopping'. It's a tricky one! Especially if you have to have mental health plans rewritten over and over again because of not finding the right therapist!

[AussieGirl]

@ NikNik I am connected to no one and I have no family. I have some good friends but I don't share with them.

[Former-Member]

@SGW you're right not all psychologists and counsellors are the same.  It sounds as though you have had professionals involved in the past that have not been able to provide you with what you need and in that case its a good idea to move on and when your ready you can search for one that actually fits your needs.  Distraction can be apart of helping you to cope but definitely is not what is going to help you to process the trauma and help you to live in the present. You will need to revisit the events, even though this can be difficult and overwhelming to think about, you sound like you are contemplating taking this step which is great.  You will do this in your own time.  I'm sorry that you have tried to find a professional for 10 years and it has been unsuccessful.  This is extemely dissappointing, however I'm hopeful that you will be able to find someone who can provide you the support you need