Topic Tuesday / 14 July 7pm AEST / Fear; What would you do if you weren't afraid?

[Jacques]

Good Night @happygirl it was nice to have met you, hope to see you around

[simply_me]

@Former-Member - so get the automatic pilot issue - seems to put the rational brain on the back foot

[Jacques]

Thank you, i am sure it will not be much, i am in the middle of a panic attack now, my heart is racing, but i am managing.

[Mazarita]

I often focus on breathing to deal with anxiety. Even just putting attention on the breath going in and out at whatever pace is happening is a start. Sometimes I use breathing in for a count of four and then out for a count of five and variations on that. I try not to worry if I lose concentration, just keep going back to it if I can. Going for a walk is a good move too if possible.

[NikNik]

I agree @Former-Member - that gut feeling will always 'shine through'.

I think what's really important to acknowledge and be aware of is that the feeling of fear is likely to stay with us, even if we make the decision to do whatever it is that has caused us that fear. So we shouldn't spend energy on making that fearful feeling go away or 'overcoming' it.. but rather develop skills and strategies that could help us move forward - feel the fear and doing it anyways.

[happygirl]

Oh I'd like to be back but unfortunately Tuesday nights are my line dancing lessons. I go through a college so pay in bulk for a set amount of weeks. I do get a break between terms so may be back then. So if you all don't see me around don't worry I will be dancing my life away.

[Former-Member]

@Mazarita yes, really focussing on my breathing and making it a conscious habit has been helping me lately too. Seems ridiculous to have to tell myself to breathe... but i rarely breathe deeply unless i remind myself.. a symptom of ptsd i think is shallow breathing..

[Former-Member]

@NikNik yes, i think that is why 'mindfullness' and commitment and acceptance therapy is really taking off... teaching us to acknowledge that feelings are sometimes awful... but we can still be and do and cope anyway with other strategies..

LJ

[NikNik]

Actually Lj - that's not ridiculous at all! That's 'mindfulness' at it's best!

I have a similar issue around breathing. Mine isn't due to PTSD, but more that growing up I had sinus issues which meant my breathing was short and shallow too. As a physical reaction to that, my heart rate would be elevated and I would experience the symptoms of anxiety, without any external triggers.

[greenspace]

Focusing on my breath, and noticing things around me are good for helping me calm myself down. then writing down what specific things i'm anxious about and possible ways of dealing with them. Writing works for me because I like writing, because it stops me thinking in circles, and because it engages my problem -solving mind, which I guess is using both rational thought and imagination - but positive imagination, instead of thinking of everything that could go wrong