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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.

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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.

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183 replies

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

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

1) Breathing (slow & more deeply) & noticing body sensation (touch & smell etc) to be more grounded.

2) "It's okay to feel this", "this will pass".

3) Label feelings, if possible.

4) Focus on the present, to bring my attention back to the here & now.

Adge

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

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

Key things to from tonight:

By accepting the feeling / emotion at the time - will end up being less painful, than ignoring it and having it reoccur over and over again.

I need to get back to Nature. Back to my mountain. Start doing regular breathing meditations. Things that I used to enjoy.

And when feeling that my body is very tense - maybe I need to do something physical.

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

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

Sounds like the key there is learning to swim in the puddle if you do jump in @utopia

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

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

I think something I have taken from tonight's discussion is a reminder that are so many things we can try and do to tolerate distress. It's interesting and helpful to read everyone's experiences, strategies and ideas!

Another thing I have taken from tonight is that as much as it feels like "I can't do this" sometimes, when I stop and think about it I can see that I can and do "do this". Just reflecting on what has worked before is helpful.

Thanks heaps for tonight @Former-Member and all. It was great ☺

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

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

There are some really wonderful ideas, discussions and thoughts here tonight.I think distress tolerance is an ongoing learning process, and sometimes it takes time, experience and trying different things to see what works. Distress tolerance really is a lifelong skill, for even when we are more stable, there will always be times we will be exposed to distressing situations. And I find this forum is fantastic for discussing and sharing different types of distress tolerance.

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

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

Thanks @Former-Member & everyone.

Adge

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

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

I've swum before @Former-Member. I've moved through this stage before. And I succeeded in coming out in a better state. I need to remember that I can do it.

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

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

Fantastic discussion topic tonight @Former-Member. I have been looking to this for a while, and I know I will go over this thread for some time to come

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

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

It’s been great to hear all about your experiences of managing difficult emotions. It's a privilege for me to be part of this discussion and I do hope there's a few things you might take away from it.

If you’d like to continue the conversation, you might like to create a new discussion topic to explore things a little further. If you’re interested in learning more about distress tolerance, you might like to chat with a face to face counsellor for more information.

I’ll leave you with a few links to some more info on distress tolerance, including a link to an online self-help manual that you can check out if you’d like to apply some of what we’ve talked about to your own life. Here goes…

Distress tolerance self help

Techniques to help you manage emotions from TED

Grounding Strategy: 3 minute breathing space

Worry and productive problem solving

Exploring difficultly mindfulness practice

As a reminder, if this discussion has triggered anything for you, please reach out to a crisis line for support: Lifeline 13 11 14.

Thanks again everyone. Goodnight 😴

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

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

This will be a thread that I will need to read through a few times and maybe make my own little 'Distress Tolerance' book out of your handy lists @Former-Member and the suggestions from everyone.

Thank you

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