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

Unknown userMember18 June 2018, 2:50 pm AEST

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? 🐼

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

utopiaSenior Contributor17 July 2018, 7:31 pm AEST

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

I don't understand how I am meant to sit in the moment. Experience the emotion. This is asforeign and confusing to me as computer programming talk.

I hear what people are saying to do, but have no idea how to actually do it.

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

MoonGalSenior Contributor17 July 2018, 7:32 pm AEST

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

wow, that is a great list @Former-Member thanks. I use several of these. I can see in black and white how I feed the belief.

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

Unknown userMember17 July 2018, 7:33 pm AEST

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

It can be a really difficult skill to develop for sure @utopia Often it involves being aware of the emotion and trying to observe it, kind of like seeing it as a cloud passing in the sky, rather than getting all caught up in it. I wonder whether anybody else might be able to share what they do to 'sit with' emotions?

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

utopiaSenior Contributor17 July 2018, 7:33 pm AEST

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

@Former-Member those are the exact thoughts that go through my head.

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

BlueBaySenior Contributor17 July 2018, 7:34 pm AEST

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

It is very hard to sit with difficult emotions. I struggle so much.

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

HayleyCContributor17 July 2018, 7:34 pm AEST

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

I know that with ACT therapy understanding how to 'sit with' emotions that are uncomfortable is taught. Knowing that the emotion will pass, it is not in control of you, and that avoidance of thoughts and situations is not helpful are things that have helped me in the past.

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

utopiaSenior Contributor17 July 2018, 7:35 pm AEST

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

and there in lies the problem @Former-Member. Not knowing what the emotion is. Not being able to name it. And then it grows and grows until it is simpy anger.

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

Unknown userMember17 July 2018, 7:35 pm AEST

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

Avoiding our distress can at times feel totally exhausting @CheerBear And while distraction certainly has it's place, I wonder whether there's anything else you've noticed that has helped with being with the emotion rather than moving away from it?

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

Zoe7Senior Contributor17 July 2018, 7:35 pm AEST

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

I think for me it is more about acknowledging that I feel a certain way and trying to convince myself that that is ok to feel and not trying to suppress it or say that how I feel isn't right for whatever situation @Former-Member @utopia

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

MoonGalSenior Contributor17 July 2018, 7:36 pm AEST

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

Me too @BlueBay I am more likely to take a PRN and try to avoid the feelings. I do some 'mindfulness' but tend to do that when I am feeling calm, not when I am feeling difficult emotions. I have practice witnessing what I am feeling but I seem to hijack the moment and run away with the feeling instead of staying present to the feeling.

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