I hadn’t planned on an extended break. I could handle this and everything else. I was sooooo wrong. I spent the last 3 months swallowed up by costumes for this show. This is our cast. Each one played two and sometimes 3 parts. Thankful for those that helped but blown away that I was in…
I quit sewing costumes for plays years ago because they get so crazy with fittings, alterations, sewing, and planning… sounds like reverse order but that is how crazy plays can get. I volunteered to help with a Christmas musical at church thinking it would have at the most a dozen parts. Oops. A cast of…
Over 4 years since I started taking Karate. Of all the things I’ve done to regain my life from PTSD, this one thing has done the most to help me trust myself. Each belt the moves and challenges are more intense then the level before. I struggle with mat work. Falling forward into a forward…
Each year, every person has an opportunity to begin again. What will I bring with me into the new year? What will I have the courage to leave behind? So many people with PTSD want another chance at living a ‘normal’ life. So many are disappointed to find out that ‘normal’ doesn’t exist. My counselor…
I finally had my melt down. I started spiraling down down down last February. Yesterday DH helped me melt down at last. There is something about rock bottom that helps me back up again. It is like I can’t stop the spiral down until I hit a low low enough to stop, catch my breath,…
Trigger warning for those that are distressed by discussion of suicide. If you are feeling suicidal call the help line Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 September 5 to 11 is suicide prevention week. My opinion is every day is suicide prevent day. For some of us, it is a daily struggle. …
This past week I pondered an epiphany that totally altered how I viewed myself and events from my childhood. During my trip in June, I had the opportunity to visit with my first counselor that worked with me for 7 years and taught me so much about living. He moved on to another state but…
I was writing to someone that is working with a person diagnosed with disassociation. No matter what level of disassociation there are some basics that help. Grounding….I list that in my web page https://ptsd-acceptingcopingthriving.com/2015/02/24/grounding-technique/ Boundaries https://ptsd-acceptingcopingthriving.com/2015/06/21/the-b-word/ Art – any and all kinds. I use coloring, drawing, photography, mixed media, collage, pretty much anything that allows expression…
Awareness of childhood sexual abuse “You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the cards you’re holding.” ~ Cheryl Strayed My experience for the last two months was to fulfill one of my “what ifs.” What if…
Two articles were brought to my attention, both discussing mental health/depression myths. http://lifehacker.com/the-misconceptions-about-mental-illness-we-need-to-unle-1711647132 “Mental Health Problems Last Forever” “Only Violent or Unstable People Have Mental Health Problems” “You Can’t Handle Relationships” “You Can Just Snap Out of It” “Treatment Is a Waste of Time” or worse, “Only weaklings seek counseling.” All of these are misunderstandings…
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 