Me too. I used to depend on being manic to get things done.

Yep me too.Things only get done on my manic phase...

I either sleep too much durig the day and the insomnia, rage, anxiety always hits at night.........I try to still manage to get a workout in 3x a week with a 2 Cuban espresso and my ipod...But lately even that is hard...I've lost all enjoyment of anything and my depression is very severe.

If misery likes company and you feel miserable lets go for coffee. :)

I dream of having coffee with someone with whom you can vent and we say anything we want and there's no advice, judgement, just vent at free and maybe we'll even laugh at our PTSD humor and black humor about mental illness....now that would be nice...

I did some stuff I had to do today, although it seems years ago now. Then slept a while when I got back, then, just trying to keep my head together took the rest of my energy,, so I didn't do any of the good things I'd like to and I'm exhausted now. I know a doc would call it depression, but it's not,, it's more like adrenalin exhaustion,, just feeling drained... soooooo.. I'm going to bed.

Ever hear of H.A.L.T.? Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.. I've got 3 out of 4, so time to take care of myself.. going to pass out from tired, and then I won't feel the rest.

good night

i find recording and composing music grounding. also writing and painting.

as a treat, i love to go into the rainforest or the secluded beaches to look for orca whales. road trips do me a LOT of good.

My treat used to be to get high. Unlike many junkies, I knew that I had to have my house and my job in order first. That was the theory anyway, and so i was often motivated to clean the house and get a lot of work done at the job so that I could get whacked and slack off.

I don't use anymore, and so motivation to do much of anything is at an all time low. I sleep a LOT too. If I'm alone on a weekend, I can easily sleep the days away.

I thought things were supposed to be different when you get clean. I guess not.

Wish I had some advice.

tolerance, I'm an alcoholic in recovery. It's not enough to just stop using,, the other and biggest part of it is to find better things to do. Can't just stop and leave an empty space, but find other enjoyable thngs. Using stirs up endorphins in our brains, and there are other things that stir up those same endorphins, like exercise, laughing, some hobby. Sleeping too much can actually result in depression. Being outdoors and enjoying nature if it's not too hot where you are.

ooo I see I put that last post on the wrong thread,, sorry. I feel better this morning anyway,, it's a new day.

Grounding is hard for me, as I tend to dissociate a lot. When I'm dissociated I make an effort to notice what is around me, if outside I look at the sky, trees, ground, and try not to get lost in them cuz I can also dissociate by staring at something and getting lost in it. Even being on this computer can be a dissociation from what's going on and what I should be doing in this room. I have to make myself get oriented into the present. Upon saying that, I'd better go make breakfast. :P

Thanks, xa1. I do try and connect with things/people/sights/emotions. Some days it actually works!! :)

I do slow breathing and meditation to ground me.

I work out at the gym like a beast- it's my natural anti depression/anxiety meds.

Any my little treats? Sometimes it's a lip gloss; sometimes, it's a small bag of potato chips or other snack. Sometimes, it's coming on here! : )

I just delay gratification until I get what it is I need done, done.

I also find a VERY regular routine helps- a LOT! Set times to even every 15 minutes if you need and write what it is you need to be doing and print it out with columns for the days so you can check off when you stayed to your chart. At the end of the week, give yourself a treat.

Good luck.

Depends on how bad my symptoms are, but a long, hot bath can work wonders. For me, it *is* a form of meditation.

I also take a great deal of comfort in my dog, who instinctively knows when I need to be physically touched to "come back" out of my head. She will just lay quietly against me. Assuring. Soothing.

When I'm feeling stronger, reaching out to people on DS definitely helps me get outside my thought cycle and feel good.

My favorite grounding technique is petting my cat if Im around the house.

Otherwise hm. It depends upon the time of day. Often when I am very emotionally overwhelmed, especially if its over a trigger I will put some music on and lay down without the lights as they can irritate me. Walking outside for fresh air sometimes helps. If Im really losing it Ill place ice somewhere on my body.

In times when I am consistantly in great distress I will wear a rubber band on my arm that I can gently snap to bring be back.

My pick me ups usually include food. Especially chocolate.

Thank you all for sharing. It's a comforting feeling that I'm not alone. My hubby is concerned but I think he gets it to a point.

I will try some of your suggestions.

Thanks for being there!

I ground myself in knowing the Lord loves me and my family loves me and I am in a safe place now. I been through my abuse once I can do it again. My husband keeps me grounded and knowing he is there for me makes all the difference. I buy jewelry at times. I color with my kids and sometimes by myself. I have always made a big deal of Gods creation. The clouds, sunset. Seeing animals. I love bubble tea, Japanese restaurant. So yummy! I get slushies when I want . If I feel like . I treat myself like a princess. Not a Disney princess but Gods kind of princess. I do not sleep a lot because my abuse happened at night and I did not sleep barely at all. ever. But now I sleep better even with all the flashbacks. I love horses.also.