Treating PTSD: Who Do You Think You Are?

At the very beginning of the BRIDGE THE GAP healing workshop we focused on creating a healing intention. Everything we ever achieve is based on an intention upon which we follow through. PTSD recovery is exactly that same type of goal.

You’ve already accomplished many goals in your life. Think back to things you wanted to do and you’ve already done. I bet there are many. You’ve gotten a degree, a job or promotion, found a mate, raised a family, taken a trip, gotten out of a bad situation, gotten into a good one. I’ll bet the list of large and small goals you’ve accomplished is endless.

You already have a track record for achieving things you set your mind to. PTSD healing functions the same way. And, like any other goal, this healing PTSD symptoms is enhanced and achieved most rapidly and efficiently when you are clear, specific, methodic and strategic in your approach.

Think back to a previously achieved goal. Perhaps you wanted to save up enough money to buy a car or clothing or a vacation. What did you do? You conceived of the end goal, sat down and decided what you needed to do to get there, made a plan of action and then stuck to it until you got the result you desired.

But first you recognized the state you were in, what you didn’t like about it and what you wanted to change. You realized your car was getting too old, your clothes too worn or you hadn’t taken a vacation in too many years. You recognized the present moment, analyzed what you didn’t want, decided what you did want, made a plan and executed it. That’s what PTSD recovery is all about.

Today’s post-trauma identity challenge – answer this question: Who am I today?

All goals begin with an assessment of the present moment. What is your experience of yourself in the present moment? What needs to be changed?

Let’s get specific. After all, you’re designing the future you. May as well be custom made!

BRIDGE THE GAP Exercise

By now you should be developing a real facility for altering your state. Find a quiet place where you can sit or lie down. Let your body get very comfortable in any position. Now, take a deep breath in, hold it when your lungs are full. Let it out slowly. Do this three times.

As the breath goes out through your mouth feel it take all of the tension in your body and whoosh! let it slip away. Your body wants to relax. Your mind wants to be calm. Let your mind and body do what they really want to do which is connect with a deep space of peace.

As you feel your body release tension allow your mind to go inward. You are on a journey of self-creation. This will mean you must go deep inside yourself to reconnect with your true source. Layers of experience and trauma have separated you from who you really are. Now is the time to reclaim that person. Let yourself drift and relax and fall inward into your self.

When you feel your mind spiralling into its own deep, serene, calm and peaceful spaces ask it to show you who you are today. Wait for it to find the image(s) and represent the answer to you. There is a person inside there. Who is it?

Allow the image to form in your mind’s eye. Make it bigger. Make it brighter. Bring it more into focus. Who do you see? Notice both the good and the bad the traits, qualities, and characteristics. What do you hear? Listen for the sound of your voice. What do you feel? Notice if you feel positive or negative about what the picture you see.

In this picture what things do you like? What things do you not like? What specific things would you want to change? Be deliberate in noticing every detail.

When you’ve concentrated on the details freeze frame the image in your mind.  Take a picture of  it. See, hear and feel everything about it with great concentration and intensity.

Then, slowly begin to bring yourself back up to the surface of consciousness. Attach a string to the image so that your connection with it remains as you come closer and closer and closer back to the present moment. When you are ready, open your eyes.

On a piece of paper make two columns, one for things you WANT TO KEEP, one for things you WANT TO CHANGE. Dip back into your head to see, hear and feel everything from the image you just found. Put details in both columns. See if you can get at least 5 items on each side.

When your list is complete put the page somewhere you won’t forget it. We’ll use it for the next step of this process.

(Photo: BBC ONE)

Tags: Constructing Post-Trauma Identity, goals, healing, ptsd, recovery, symptoms