How to challenge your negative thoughts

hi @J_1nOz thanks for sharing your story. I am sorry for what you have gone through.

childhood trauma leaves deep deep scars

take care,

How are you both feeling today? @BlueBay @J_1nOz 🫶

Hey @AuntGlow I didn’t have a good night few nightmares

went to work (very busy). By lunchtime my stomach blew up and I was in pain. I looked like I was 9 months pregnant!!!
home now still in pain. I’m hoping it’s not the start of a diverticulitis flare. Have been hospitalised a few times with this. It’s terrible.
I am seeing my psychiatrist tomo morning early so hoping we can talk about these horrible nightmares I’m having.
Why do some nightmares stay with me for days and days? And others i forget.

how are you @AuntGlow

hi @tyme @Shaz51 @Jynx @Appleblossom abd others reading

Hi everyone

@AuntGlow @Jynx @Shaz51 @Appleblossom @rav3n @tyme and others reading on -

i saw my psychiatrist this morning. I told her about my nightmares recurring image and she has suggested i take a certain medication i have for PTSD. i was tired, emotional and sad. we discussed a few different options of meds to try after Christmas. she is concerned about my mental state and has suggested i come and see her next Tuesday which she is opening clinic just for that day. she has other patients that she wants to see also. she wanted to give me her mobile phone number and email address (personal) but i declined. i thanked her for offering her phone number. i just think that in my 'horrible negative state' that i would email her privately all the time. she understood my reasons.

she said that because i am doing EMDR that i am processig all the different traumas and my brain is doing weird things.

my psych also suggested to contact my local hospital mental health triage and chat to them. and they will contact her directly to let her know.

this afternoon i made lasagna for christmas day lunch (2 trays) and made the pastry cones ready to be filled with custard xmas morning. Tomorrow i will made tiramisu for dessert and then getting my hair done.

i am so glad that my amazing adult kids are all bringing or buying food/drinks to bring. Just makes life a lot easier.

i have had moments today of tears, sadness and then anger towards my dad and mother. while preparing some of the food this afternoon i was listening to xmas songs. that made me cry.

to me it's like i have only 2 more days of reconciling with my dad because then is xmas day and i won't after that. it's like after xmas there is no 'reason' to contact them to reconcile. that's why my anxiety is so so high.

but i have to try to remember what happened last year with my mother and her horrible behaviour towards me. i just wnat my dad. see this is the child in me now. i cry for him daily. i want a hug from him.

i am still blaming myself for the divide of my family; i blame myself for the trauma and at times i blame myself for a lot of things.

@BlueBay Its good your psychiatrist offered. Shows she cares.

Hearing you about Christmas triggers, and fragmented families and blame. Yep me too. Not too good at challenging my negative thoughts at the moment.

Posting link to a beautiful place we both know and love.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g255100-d2507145-Reviews-Half_Moon_Bay-Melbourne_Victoria.html

I am really glad to hear you are so supported by your team right now @BlueBay 🫶

Contacting MHT during the holidays is a great idea, as they can direct you to appropriate supports if needed. I really encourage you to keep reaching out to your friends here too, everyone has got each others' backs during this time.

Lasagne and tiramisu, YUM!!! They are two of my favourite foods. I will be going to an Italian christmas this year too - shall we report back to each other? 👀

I understand why tears would have come... it must be really, really hard to sit with at this time of the year. You're allowed to feel all that you are feeling, lovely. 💛

I know there is a lot out of your control right now and that it would feel really painful not being able to see dad, so I am wondering how you could nurture your inner child and redirect to the love in the room tomorrow? (Like with your kids and grandkids) 🥰

Hi @AuntGlow

yes let’s compare our Italian lunch after tomorrow.
My little A granddaughter will be here tomo for lunch along with all my kids and partners.
I will give little A big loving hugs and kisses. It will be a nice day with our adults kids. There’ll be laughs chats and of course presents oh and plenty of food!!!!

I know when alone I will think of my dad and may shed a tear. It’s just not fair.

i am now watching Christmas carols and it’s emotional because I remember my childhood.
have a nice day tomorrow. Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas @AuntGlow @Appleblossom @Jynx @Shaz51 and others xxxxxxxx

Hugs @BlueBay

We are going for less traditional but more organic to how we are feeling. Just how it evolved. The meal for Christmas got pushed out to Boxing Day and we are going to have hamburgers because thats the next meat on the list, and we didnt use it today. Something feels deliciously wicked that we are "Doing it our way". We will probably watch something together. Just my son and I.

Buon Natale

sending you lots of hugs too @Appleblossom

Hamburgers yes yum i love that. I feel sometimes we go overboard with food for Christmas Day. And then you think oh no do I have enough???
of course you do because there’s always leftovers!! especially Italians we never know when to stop!!!. 😂

have a beautiful day with your son on Boxing Day.

buon Natale Bella xxxxoooo