Making the Shift: Where to begin?

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Imagine your house is on fire (or your aprartment or condo or wherever you live). What do you do first? Do you rush around the house collecting things you want to save? Do you grab the pets? Do you barricade yourself in a room and put wet towels beneath the door? Do you open a window and start shouting for help?

Healing can be an overwhelming task. There’s so much smoke you don’t know what to do first in response to the fire. When this happens — slow down. PTSD will not be healed overnight. Accept that right now. And then:

1. Assess your experience: what symptoms are bothering you the most? Make a list.
2. Prioritize where to focus:  number the list starting with the symptom that causes you the most distress.
3. Strategize a plan: figure out what method of treatment or what activity will directly address the #1 issue.

For example, let’s say dissociation is your #1 problem. Make a decision to learn new skills to help minimize this experience. Learning to practice mindfulness and meditation would be two things you could immediately do to help you ground yourself in the present moment. And also, to help bring yourself back when you catch yourself dissociating.

In any situation where there’s a lot going on and many things that need to be done you already and automatically make decisions about how to prioritize. Bring those skills to your healing.

Coping with PTSD is like being in a house that’s on fire. Prioritize your path to safety. Make decisions about how to organize your approach to healing. This is completely within your control and will help you make one simple shift in your quest to go from powerless to powerful.

(Photo acknowledgement.)

Tags: PTSD symptoms