Have you ever noticed that the Holiday’s arrive at the same time? The drama remains the same from year to year? The unreasonable expectations also don’t change? I have several posts about holidays that I reuse over and over because the same stuff happens. There is some good news. This year one of my big…
Right now we are twixt and between holiday’s. Memorial day is coming up in the United States. Planning in advance for holidays gives you time to make a plan and practice. Holidays include birthdays, anniversaries of negative events, family events, graduations and all the holidays that hit the calendars. Just before Mother’s Day Mighty posted…
This came up on my Facebook feed as a memory. I felt it was a good reminder for friends and family of someone with PTSD. Holidays often have multiple triggers attached to events. Plan ahead for possibilities and share possible coping skills to those you trust to help. Really, touch can be another layer of…
What didn’t? I learned in counseling, one of the important things to do after a stressful event is to acknowledge what I did well. Too often I totally dismiss what worked. By focusing in on what parts of my plan worked I can build on these strengths. I also need to acknowledge what didn’t work. …
Tonight is one of those nights that I wish I was still in counseling with my first counselor. He let me email him when I felt tremendous internal pressure and I needed to let off steam without harming anyone, myself included. He wouldn’t always answer. Many times it would be a short acknowledgement that we…
Counseling taught me many things. However, one basic rule needed to be followed. Rule #1 Stop lying, especially to yourself. That’s it. Stop it. My teenagers brought me up short and started my truth campaign before counseling. They asked me why I lied all the time. I of course denied the allegation. I asked them…
The holidays are in full swing, so are triggers, anxiety, and depression. I also love the Christmas lights the excitement and fun. The bustle, rushing and extreme expectations not so much. I decided that for the month of December I am posting tips and ideas for coping with high stresses of holiday festivities. Last month…
Holidays are a time when many people have triggers. Emotions run high so does anxiety and tempers. Preventive maintenance makes a difference. Put your boundaries in place. Tell trusted people what you need to do better during the holidays. Building your team when you are under less stress so that they are there for you…
I like to share other people’s point of view. This is from Warrior’s Landing. Warrior’s Landing If you are wondering why you have difficulty surrounding holidays and/or anniversaries of traumatic dates – YOU ARE NOT ALONE. These dates can creep up on us and without realizing it often weeks or more before, the trauma Injury…
The holidays are coming….they come the same time every year. Different holidays affect people differently. For me, Halloween is just fun, no triggers. However, Thanksgiving is at the top of my trigger lists. The challenge is to sort out why the holiday is a problem then create a plan that helps you navigate the holiday. …
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 