feeling stuck

Hi @peps

Welcome to the forum and you found a place to chat / vent.

August is a long time to wait.

Sane has phone counselling

I use Life Line if l need a quick vent. 131 114. Most of them are great.

Not sure if the content of the video is bringing back memories or the idle mind.

Our minds are powerful and we often need to bring them back to a joyful place. Mainly done with a distraction. Music, walk etc. Books if you can focus.

You said you cannot look at phone. Can you take a book.? Even a crossword type book that distracts the thinking.

You are not alone.

At the beginnjning l mentioned 2 phone services. You found the forum.

I am not sure if the content of the movie threatens you or why you say you feel you may be hurt again

When replying use the @Tag and find the name so you can get the person quicker.

HI @Former-Member, thank you for the reply

I don't think its to do with the content more the idle mind. If my mind isn't busy I'm more likely to get trauma memories and anxiety. The feeling unsafe is more like trauma flash back stuff but i'm not sure. I have trouble calling helplines I get anxious when talking on the phone and worried if other people will hear me. I find it easier if I'm able to type or write, it's harder for me to speak i'm not really sure why.

Hj @peps

Thanks for saying more.

The Idle Mind. It is so hard to train.

My mind got focus and l found an anchor by joining a church. Not for everyone, but the belief in the bible saved me

I found gospel music was all l could listen to for 10 years. Radio, especially talk back frustrated me. I had one good friend. Poor person putting up with me.

Trouble calling helplines. Jot down what you want to discuss before making the call. Time is usually fine, but focus on the one or two points that are really on your mind. I found that better than talking too long about everything. If the person is not good, say thank you l will go now. Then call back. Many are volunteers. They are there to listen. So you talk. They can support, but you need to train the brain.

A combination of forum typing and phones work for me. Even though l use one finger to type on my mobile

Sudoka is the other quiz

Hey @peps ,

Thank you for sharing. It sounds hard for people not to really know what your needs are. Yes, others need you to sit with them for a movie, but what about your needs?

I'm wondering whether you can try some strategies to ground you while you are with the people for work? Do you have to be present and know what is happening in the movie? Or is it just to sit with the people?

For me, when I'm in a situation like that, I tend to engage in grounding challenges. For example, I try to block out all other distractions and focus on naming all the different sounds i hear. Or, I may look for different shades of green. Or, I may count something. It just keeps my brain distracted from going down dark paths.

Do you think you can try some of this?

Hi @tyme,

thank you for your reply. I have tried doing some grounding but I been doing it after I get anxious. I will try doing it from the start. I have to be somewhat aware of what’s happening for the safety of the people I’m with. I just wish I could get past it and be able to sit without keeping my mind busy.

Hi @peps

I agree. Try the grounding @tyme says.

I agree doing it before it is full blown anxiety.

I used to avoid a situation or if I could not avoid it, I would prepare my mind in advance. I knew if l was in danger, i would approach it with care, do what i had to and leave. Then i would sit and try to relax the feelings.

I think you will get past it or more important you will learn to feel it and deal with it. Recognise what escalates it and prepare the mind in advance or avoid the part if you can.

Mindfulness is a big job with big rewards however small the progress seems.

Enjoy your day

Hi @outlander,

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm in disability/aged care role and some of the clients need ongoing supervision to be safe. I think i'm getting more anxious because I know its awhile until I can see my psychologist. I have the option of seeing one of her Colleagues but I'm aware it won't be the same as seeing my psychologist that I know. I'm also running out of medicare sessions so it means I will have to pay the full cost sooner.

Hey @peps,

That sure sounds tough.

Would you consider support through your work?

I know speaking to someone else can be hard sometimes, but they care also 'specialise' in a different area of your life?

For example, when I used to have more than one psychologist, made it so that for one we worked on safety, while the other I worked on emotional regulation.

Yes, sometimes, this inter-relates, but if you set those boundaries early, it may be beneficial.

Hi @tyme,

I'm a bit anxious about seeing someone through work I think part of it is the unknown of seeing someone new. I can see how a second psychologist could be helpful, but i'm anxious about how I would explain that to my treating team. It just feels like my anxiety is getting worse and now having ptsd symptoms at work is making things harder. Part of me feels like I need to start over again so people can't judge my mental health.