I know all caps is shouting on line but this next behavior would be all capitals. “I have trouble accepting any kind of love because growing up, it was always given with strings attached or used a tool for manipulation. I don’t trust that others have the capacity to love me unconditionally, so I hide…
In sports a good offense is sometimes the best tactic for winning a game. Having a win/loose attitude with relationships doesn’t work. My counselor taught me either both people win or both people lose. “I’m very defensive which can come across cold or nasty. I also portray quite a lot of negativity which seems to…
Years ago I heard a joke that typifies how I used to respond to most situations. I had a dream that I died and went to the bad place…..I was given a choice of 3 different doors like Let’s Make a Deal. Behind door number one there was screeching and screaming. I shook my head.…
If you live in the United States, July 4th is a fireworks holiday. How can a person with PTSD prepare for the day? Accept that the sound of fireworks is triggering. If possible, go to a place where fireworks are not allowed. Other coping ideas: Ear plugs, stay in doors, head phones that can block…
I felt like a complete dweeb when I started college. My parents made all my major decisions for me including what to study in college, where I went to college, and basically what I wore to college. Yup, I was controlled that completely. Teenagers don’t magically turn into decision making adults without making their own…
I feel like these two go hand-in-hand. Rarely do you see one without the other. Abusers do their fair share of convincing their victims all bad things are the victims fault. A steady diet of blame the victim eventually the victim believes they are the ones that are the problem. 4. “I always feel…
I started in high school. I was tired of name calling, stupid, ding-a-ling, lights are on but nobody is home. I wanted to ‘prove’ I was smart. I studied like crazy and got straight A’s. I was thrilled and so excited…the name calling persisted. I maintained a 3.79 grad point average without weighted grades. I…
I did it for years. I negated every and any compliment I received. If someone said I did something well, I pointed out what I messed up. Every compliment was turned aside or ignored. I wouldn’t….couldn’t see myself as a good person, so compliments must be a lie. Turned my world upside down and inside…
The list of things I do as an adult that are similar to many other people that are survivors is daunting. https://themighty.com/2017/06/childhood-emotional-abuse-adult-habits/ When I started counseling, I did 25 out of 25. I’ve improved those numbers. I going to tackle some of these with information as to how I made my life better. “[I] can’t…
I’ve joined a PTSD Facebook page. This was one of the ideas to help remind yourself for self-protection. Ashley kindly gave me permission to share. Thank you Ashley I put on some dollar store temporary tattoos to help keep me safe tonight. I’ve had the worst weekend due to the holiday and have an extensive…
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 