Eliminating or reducing chronic (everyday) flashbacks

[creative_writer]

@Dreamy I find psych appointments can take so much out of you. I have my psych appointment on Tuesday. I also need to get a tinny cyst around my lower eyelid removed. I’ll probably need rest after then. I wanted to see if I could fit in a volunteer work shift, but I’ll see. I’m going to bed shortly, I’ll touch base with you tomorrow, I need to get up early tomorrow. Goodnight and thank you for the company 💖

[Dreamy]

@creative_writer yes they definitely can, I have an appointment with a counsellor but she left me in a really bad space last time I spoke with her so I'm not sure i want to talk to her again. That doesn't sound like a pleasant thing to have to go through and I think rest after will be very much needed. I hope you can get a good night's rest and you're welcome, I'm always happy to chat. Be gentle with yourself and remember you are amazing ❤️ 

[Sbee]

This post may be a little heavy handed.

@creative_writer, I used to do memory exercises as well as magic eye pictures and other visualisation techniques but it is hard.

some things I have said in posts on this site should always be done properly. Eg not alone to begin with unless instructed by pros.

And in these cases the risks in any health recovery is a journey of healing so there is usually set backs and consequences to certain techniques.

Grief related flashbacks etc and dreams which I suffer from can arise again in troubling times or when you contribute any way in life.

Something may be added to the pot.

[Sbee]

Good one @RiverSeal
Soaked up a lot of heat today and my washer packed it in so I'm back working on my Calluses handwashing Monday.
My spare beanbag cover made it for the ones who need to rest their tooshes.

[creative_writer]

@Dreamy sometimes it takes a while to find a suitable counsellor. I had to leave my last psych for the very reason, I felt worse afterwards. Talking about trauma can de-stabilise me, I needed a different approach. Also I felt judged by the last psych on a number of occasions. New psych is more hands on which I prefer and I don’t feel pressurised in talking about trauma in great detail. Maybe talking helps some people, but it keeps me stuck.

The eyelid cyst is unpleasant, it’s been there for a while, I’ve been advised to get it removed. I got into a specialist on Wednesday afternoon, I want to take it easy the rest of the week.

I hope you slept okay. I slept better than I thought I would, still not great quality. I honestly thought I wouldn’t get much zzz, I think the PRN and magnesium cream helped.

@Sbee I do feel like a lot of techniques need to be done properly. Some relaxation techniques like body scans trigger me so much. I can’t focus on the body, it sort of sends me into panic mode, because it makes me realise how wrong it feels. I am however, able to do breathing exercises and 5 sense grounding.

@Sbee and @Dreamy I’m doing better today, still tackling with through of “I’ve done something wrong”. I know they’re just thoughts, but it is very hard

[creative_writer]

I’ve come back home, the thoughts are here. I’m trying to not get lost in them, but it’s hard 🥺

[AuntGlow]

Good afternoon @creative_writer, 

How are you feeling today? I can see there are some intrusive thoughts that are coming up for you, which must be very overwhelming... it really is so hard to disengage with anxiety-brain. So, please know that you're doing so well to manage how you're feeling and thinking. 

What strategies have been working for you lately? (Even slightly?) Maybe we can work through them together? 💛

[creative_writer]

@AuntGlow maybe I am tired, my head is feeling a bit heavy, just had some chamomile lavender tea to relax. I think I need some rest and get under the covers for a bit, I need to feel safer. I’ve been out all morning and part of the afternoon

[AuntGlow]

This is really great noticing of what's going on in your body. When I am tired, I can be more reactive to my thoughts and bodily sensations too. 💛

I think that resting under the covers sounds like a great way to create safety. What else could you do? For example, do you have any comfort shows you are watching? @creative_writer 

[creative_writer]

@AuntGlow I think it’s true tiredness can affect mental health. I do have chronic fatigue, but when the fatigue feels worse it’s harder to manage thoughts and body sensations to times where I am less tired. I wish I knew what to do about the chronic fatigue, but I have no idea what to do. Bloods come back normal. Yet I am chronically fatigued and in pain.

I might try music, don’t have the energy to watch something.