Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

10,127 Members
27,615 Posts
1 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

:/ Flashbacks/Depression..

frusciante
frusciante
So, I started to watch the movie Precious. I figured, it was about abuse, I would relate to it and not feel like such an alien in my own world.
WELL, I was wrong, I watched maybe the first 10 minutes of it and the room began spinning, I felt nauseous, scared and totally unsafe.
I haven't had any flashbacks in about a month or so, and this one hit hard.
I'm trying to distract myself, I don't want to think about it...I know my therapist would want me to do the complete opposite, but I just can't right now...it's way too intense.
I am trying to think of things that would make me feel safe, the only thing I have so far is cartoons.
I just feel totally overwhelmed, the only other thought that comes to my mind are suicidal ideations...I just want them gone...there is no reason to kill myself over something like this.

I just want the feelings/images to get out of my head.
wackymacky
wackymacky
Hi.....Just wanted you to know that I am here if you want to talk. Feeling unsafe is not easy. Think of something positive and let it enter your mind and let it take over. Write your positive things down on a piece of paper and carry it with you and when you feel unsafe read each of your positive things out loud until it sinks in. If you feel suicidal get to the hospital or to your therapist. Are you on any meds? I hope by now you are feeling a little brighter.
frusciante
frusciante
Yes I am, thank you. Just one of those days/nights.
Thank you for your suggestion..I usually make gratitude lists, but I think making a list of the positive things will be more beneficial :)
I am on a couple of meds that are supposed to help with the anxiety.
I have a crisis line I call whenever I feel really suicidal...they are great people and they really know how to talk me down from a cliff lol ;)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I use an image of a pink elephant. I actually purchazed two of them. When bad thoughts arrive I just say that a thought about my pink elephant has the same scary content. They are both words grouped in a line with energy. So by thinking about that pink elephant makes me laugh and know that my thoughts are all illusions. Well when related to our PTSD and triggers.

See our self talk which goes on without us even being aware at times. It happens before we can even think. For us it is negative and worse. It is our assessment of ourselves.

So to heal we must accept the thoughts and observe them. Fighting them will make them grow and become more powerful and time consuming.

So when you feel good try sitting quiet and follow your breath. When a thought coms up pull back and do not engage it. Gently bring your focus back on your breath. This is great practice to learn to focus your mind.