Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

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Anxiety Disorders
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Anxiety Management

arfie
arfie

Symptom management is the heart and soul of my own current, strictly personal psychotherapy maintenance. Life is as life is, not as I would have it. My goal is to do the best I can with the proverbial hand I was dealt. I have given up my quest for a cure for the common me.


Anxiety is the meanest symptom in my baggage car. Well. . . PTSD is an anxiety disorder, after all. . . I often feel like I'm trying to herd fire ants when I attempt to manage my anxiety. Block them here and they will divert to there, biting and creeping me out as they go. I get the heebeegeebees with the first awareness of their creepy, crawly ways. I feel their sneaky little feet and blister-raising bites, even when they are not there. Can I screech like a painted bimbo in a low budget horror movie now?


This morning's anxiety is a predictable one. I am closing on a business deal today. If the deal passes the final muster, I will have bought into a new set of responsibilities. Any unforseen problems will be mine from this day, forward. Hm-m-m-m. . . Am I really ready to give up the free and easy wandering? If it falls through, I am back to square one on the research and discernment. Feeling like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.


I've been surfing for mindfulness exercises to hold me steady while I tackle the deeds of the day. Anxiety plays hell with my memory function, so even my most practiced exercises are eluding me this morning. Feeling a need for outside reminders. This page has been helpful enough that I thought I'd share: https://www.pocketmindfulness.com/6-mindfulness-exercises-you-can-try-today/


Anybody got others?

jennyoo7
jennyoo7
Nothing to add but sitting here with the same annoying crap. The ones you can give an excuse to are a lot harder to handle than the mysterious ones. Those ones seem to stay at bay with a few deep breaths. Nervousness and anxiety are a horrible combo. Don't envy you there but am hopeful you will get what you want out of the deal and have faith you will handle it accordingly. Good luck.
arfie
arfie
Thanks Jenn. Luck appreciated and returned.

I find myself surprised by the notion of "nervous" and "anxious" being separate phenom. I just now realized I have been using them as synonyms. Two different names for the same ^it^.

It is, indeed, annoying crap, by whatever name.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
When I joined a Buddhist meditation group the same week I got diagnosed with PTSD I learned in class that Buddhist meditation in the Vipassana tradition of Cambodia is an ancient source of what we in the USA call mindfulness meditation, arfie. I stayed in that class for the first 5 years of my diagnosis. It helped get some recovery started for me. My favorite of the many books in the class was Jack Kornfield's book A Path With Heart. Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh were great, too.
arfie
arfie
Thanks muji. I'll put it on the read list. The reminder it jiggles out of my own prior studies is "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman. Good reminder. Thank you. The review finds me surprised to discover the movie release in 2006. Not too surprised, though. I was Ecuador bound that year. Wasn't paying much attention to US movies.
Ash
Ash
Just stamp on those biting itching mother fuckers.
arfie
arfie
Spoken like a woman who has never dealt with fire ants. . . When I find myself believing in devil's spawn, fire ants get my vote as the Jesus of the Underworld. Feisty little devils. . .
LillyPotter
LillyPotter
not ready w/ any suggestions but saving the mindfulness exercises, thanks, arfie xo
arfie
arfie
Thanks for the support, guys. The deal is done. I think I need a nap. . .
Dooo
Dooo
I am not sure why but I have not had anxiety in about four months, since therapy kicked in. I would be anxious and nervous to find out if a major event such as a business deal going through or not myself. Its a big deal and ok to be anxious and nervous.

One thing that helps me a lot is listening to audio books when i am doing things and out of sorts. There are a lot of youtube videos I will listen to for meditation or mindfulness too. I just stick on the headphones and walk around doing my thing. Listening to someone else talk drowns out my thoughts. Thanks for the link, I like that website too
patti22
patti22
Yeah, congrats! Light a candle and enjoy your new home.
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