FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Events and updates

Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Life throws up a range of stressors that can impact us is unique ways. Discomfort isn’t generally something we like to feel so when those strong emotions come along, it can be hard to know what to do to manage.

Distress tolerance is all about learning how to deal with strong emotions. So join us, to answer the question, “how do you cope when you feel like you can’t?”

Share your experiences of coping with uncomfortable emotions. What works? What doesn’t? And what would you like to do more of to support you on your recovery journey? 🐼

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Like' button below.

_________________________________

I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides.

183 replies

151 - 160 of 183
1...151617...19

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

I call it a Coping Box @utopia but Soothing Box it can be too

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

@Sans911 - i need to start doing it again

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

I can really see that animals are a key part of distress tolerance for a few members 🙂

That pampering sounds really nice @Sans911 And you make a really good point about needing to connect with others to talk about things @Zoe7. Sometimes just letting out our thoughts and feelings can take the power out of them and help us to feel supported and understood.

Coping boxes are such great resources @utopia Does anybody else use a coping box or recovery box?

Thanks for joining the conversation @MoonGal Enjoy dinner ☺️

Weighted blankets are awesome @Snowie, And they are particuarly useful for those of us who have experienced dissociation.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Problem solving has been there throughout my life and saved my life.

Am I obsessive or ruminate too much .. Maybe

He was discussing the issue of feelings and feeling cold or feeling tension. The time lag between sensing and realising is much more than for the average person.

I think I handled distress a lot until my late 20s when physical pain and extreme personal situation got out of control.

I think it is important to recognise some kind of objective degree of distress when discussing distress tolerance. I was relieved when I read about Trauma load on Van der Kolk's website.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Huge fan of pros and cons lists to problem solve also @Zoe7. Remembering to write the pros and cons of each option (so I end up with four lists rather than two) can be extra helpful!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Steps for productive problem solving:

  • Identify and define the problem
  • List all possible solutions
  • Eliminate the less desirable solutions
  • List the remaining options in order of preference
  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each solution
  • Decide on a plan
  • Implement the plan
  • Evaluate the outcome

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Sometimes when the feeling are big - when i've calmed down, I'm so worn out that I can't think about solutions that day.

Generally the next day i am able to be more logical, or to think through things clearer. That's when I can work out what I can do to make changes or improve things

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

@Former-Member, Have there been times when you’ve noticed that what’s causing you distress is something you can change?

yes I have but I get worked up so quickly that I lose the ability to make the change

How do you problem solve difficulties in your life?

I bottle everything up keep to myself worried about how others would react if I do something unusual and then eventually it all overflows and I spend months putting everything back together

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Distress Tolerance // Tues 17 July, 7pm AEDT

How to improve your distress:

  • Go for a walk
  • Talk to a friend
  • Watch videos on YouTube, TV, or a movie
  • Do a puzzle
  • Take a one hour vacation:
  • Cook a meal
  • Imagine turning down the volume on the feelings
  • Be aware of the sounds around you
  • Imagine a safe place
  • Look at a picture of a beautiful place
  • Slow breathing
  • Count to 100
151 - 160 of 183
1...151617...19