I have PTSD from being sexually abused as a younger child until I was removed from my family’s care. I have been in therapy for years as well. Things were going well, but the last few months just seemed to be a downwards regressive spiral. I understand it happens and the holidays are a huge trigger, but It usually goes back to being stable once the holidays pass.
I have to go to the dentist in four hours and I was supposed to go to sleep over six hours ago. The anxiety and flashbacks have hit the point of keeping me from functioning. I have taken my sleep meds with no relief. I’ve gone through my steps for grounding and calming down. I’ve been to the dentist numerous times; this time should be no different. I am probably going to cancel. I’m not sure what’s wrong (I have been open to my T about this) I don’t know what it is but something has to give soon. I’m not sure how much more I can take.
CONSIDER THIS:
- Having PTSD can make you feel afraid and confused. You are strong for persevering through your issues despite your difficulties of coping with everyday life.
- It may benefit you to find someone who makes you feel safe and who you can trust to talk to about what’s bothering you.
- Sexual abuse affects you emotionally, mentally and physically. It may help you immensely to become more spiritual so that maybe you can learn to better cope with the physical and emotional aspects of your abuse. If therapy isn’t enough maybe you need a higher power in your life to help you out. Head to the Teen Central website and click the Learn tab then Spirituality to learn more.
- The more you learn about what’s really bothering you the easier it may be to eliminate the negativity. Ways to learn to focus better and maybe feel safer include prayer, meditation and yoga. Attending church may help you feel safer and forget for at least a moment about your anxiety.
- If you need someone to talk to you may try calling one of the phone numbers on the Teen Central website under the Help tab.
- You can try focusing on activities to express yourself like drawing, reading a book or learning to play a musical instrument.
- If you need unconditional love it may be a good idea to get a pet.
- You can try to find something to laugh at in a healthy way to take your mind off things. Sometimes it’s fun to read a funny comic, book or watch a comedy.
- Learning more about PTSD may help you to cope with your situation since you know yourself better than anyone else does.
- A useful activity to let out your feelings may be to write or draw your feelings in a journal each day.
- Volunteering may help you be more positive and find friends who think like you. You can also fight back against the people who abused you in a healthy manner by helping others.
- Be positive and control your thoughts by thinking things through and being more realistic. Your issue is very real and important, but whoever abused you may have been abused themselves. They probably don’t understand their own psychological issues and need help too.
- Continue to be strong and never give up on helping yourself because you deserve unconditional love since you are a human being.
HELP YOURSELF:
- What are some more positive, fun activities to help distract you from your PTSD?
- What can you learn from the traumatizing situation you’ve endured and how could it make you a stronger person?
- Who is someone who inspires you to continue to persevere, like a celebrity or mentor who endured the same issue and conquered it? How can their ordeal be a source of inspiration for you?
