ARE YOU BROKE?

WHEN YOU'RE HAVING MONEY PROBLEMS, ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS FIRST?

1. Do you smoke cigarettes? Are you smoking a pack a day? Between packs of smokes, or cartons, vaping and all its accessories/batteries/parts/nicotine juice or chew, it's all a nicotine habit. It's unneeded. It is not a necessity. No one should give you money for cigarettes. It's a vice. It's YOUR problem, not any one else problem to spend their hard earned money on your addiction.

2. Do you drink alcohol? Is that why you need the money? Is it a habit? Are you addicted? Would someone buying you alcohol be enabling you? It's a vice. It's an addiction, and just as deadly as the last one, if not deadlier, if you happen to drive a car. It's no one else's responsibility to give you money to buy alcohol.


3. Do you partake in drugs? Another habit. Does the drug use prevent you from doing your job? Does it get on the way of managing your home and raising kids? Do you spend money on drugs instead of food? It's a vice. It's a deadly one. One that will make you lie, cheat and steal. One that will have you selling household items for. It will get you in trouble with the law and do nothing but harm to your mind, body and your children. It costs jobs, marriages, families, friendships and lives. Don't ask loved ones to work for your addiction. Get clean.

4. Do you gamble? Do you willingly take money already in your hand and feed it to a machine in the hopes of getting more money? It's a vice. It's greed as well. Why should you get to go out and risk other people's money so you could change a win for more money, that you'll probably put right back in? That's not what you borrow money for. That's not an emergency.


5. Do you buy useless items? Do you shop excessively and buy crap you don't need? Do you purchase things because you like it, or because you honestly need it now? It's a vice. I get it. It was on sale. It was something you thought you needed. It was bright and shiny. It's not anyone else's problem that you have a shopping habit.


6. Do you have hobbies? If so, awesome. Do you spend money on hobbies instead of bills? That makes it your problem, not anyone else's. Unless it's a lucrative hobby that you make money on, you're just throwing away money on fun things instead of paying bills. Must be nice to burn up someone else's hard work so you could play. I guess that other guy can just sit home this weekend since you borrowed his extra cash for your fun since you can't manage your priorities. What a pal.


7. Do you buy soda and junk food? Are you eating poorly, going out to fast foods, or buying easy microwavable meals because buying healthy food that you have to prepare is too hard? That's lazy and damaging to your system. It's a vice. "It's too expensive to eat healthy" is what I hear, as they're in the McDonald's drive-thru plopping down cash for fried processed substances. Go back to the store and get food that has 1 ingredient, like Apple, Broccoli, Carrot, Beans, Rice....I know, it will be weird at first. You'll learn how to eat real food again and be healthier, wealthier, and wise. No joke. Your sick days at work will decrease. Your household will feel better mentally and physically. $20 in the not Fast, not Food lane for 1 meal vs. 1 day+ of food from the store is a fair trade. Enough with the excuses. Some people use coupons and apps to save every penny they can, and can or prep every scrap they can, and cook all meals. They don't do that so you can have McDonald's.

Eat to live, not live to eat. 

8. Do you go to Starbucks? Once in a while is different than every day, which can easily lead to a few hundred a month. If you got money for Starbucks, then don't ask anyone for money.


9. Do you have pets? Pets are wonderful companions. If you have a problem feeding yourself, you probably shouldn't have 15 cats. You should prioritize who deserves food first. It's no one else's responsibility to feed animals that you can't. I don't work so you can feed your hoarding problem.


10. Are your bills not getting paid because you have 9 different things that take precedence? That is no one else's problem but your own. No one else should be figuring out why you can't prioritize. No one else should pay your bills, because you like smoking, drugs and shopping.


YOUR EMPTY POCKETS ARE NO ONE ELSE'S PROBLEM. SUFFER LIKE THE REST.

PRIORITIZE. DON'T EXPECT ANYONE TO REFILL YOUR POCKETS SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU'RE BAD WITH MONEY.

If you ask for a hand out, make sure you can answer NO to every question, or you're just expecting other people to feed your addictions and to solve your problems for you.

IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM, AND IT'S NOT WORTH LOSING A FRIEND OVER IT, BECAUSE YOU FEEL ENTITLED.

Put your big boy/big girl pants on and figure it out yourself.

No one owes you anything.

The Coping Pill

THE COPING PILL

       The coping pill. It's most commonly known as 'Psych Meds'. Thousands of variations of scientific chemicals meant to re balance organic chemicals in your brain.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression                                                                     

 

       Most people suffering from Anxiety or panic attacks take specific anti-anxiety medications. There are a tremendous amount of stressors in a persons life which may hinder the production of those chemicals in your brain, making medication necessary. Some take Mood Stabilizers for their Bipolar.

 

The downside to this, other than the numerous side effects such as suicide and weight gain, is that Bipolar means 2 sides, Down Depression and Up Depression.
 

       That very downside behind what's being prescribed to you, is based primarily on the varying degrees for both types of depression. There is no rhyme or reason to why certain meds work for some, and why they don't work for others.
It is likened to perfume. The formula itself can not be patented, since the base of each person's chemistry is different, therefore rendering numerous outcomes from each person.

 

Down; low demeanor, sleepiness, excessive crying and sadness, low tolerance to stress and triggering memories, is generally called Clinical Depression.

Up;  elated euphoria, excitedly talkative with a lot of energy, less need for sleep, and heightened desire for risk. This is Manic Depression.

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/what-is-bipolar-disorder

       A large amount of questioning, evaluating, mood tracking and observation will determine how much of each Depression you suffer from, how often they cycle, how long they last, and if you experience both at the same time. The plethora of medications that require the 'Trial and Error' process, (that we all went through, until the right combination fits) can make the sanest person want to pull their hair out, which by the way is called Trichotillomania. It also includes picking at the skin. It's a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD. A sister to Anxiety.

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/homeless-veterans-statistics/2017/02/03/id/651049/
      
       Sadly, a large population of homeless individuals are not only in need of general well being, but their mental health goes untreated, uncared for and undeserved. Many are veterans, youth, disabled and/or suffering from a terminal illness.

http://www.air.org/center/national-center-family-homelessness


       On the other side, the amount of people on medication for mental health is flippantly on the rise.  Tests to ensure that other situations or conditions are responsible are not given. In most cases, medication is prescribed, although many times it's the coping mechanisms that are not working for that individual. Non-medical options should be taught in conjunction to prescribed pills, while continuing to access the patients environmental stressors.
Many medications are blatantly over prescribed.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db76.htm

This is not for anyone to decide on their own right now to suddenly stop taking your meds. Just talk to your doctor about the absolute necessity of each one, and if there is anything else that can help you.
 

Do NOT jump off your meds!

One of the top non psychiatric meds prescribed is for high cholesterol. That, combined with so many prescribed for Anxiety, means that there are a lot of 'Nervous Greasy People' running around. That's my new band name. :)
 

 

        Before you go to psychiatric medication for the first time, or are reevaluating them now, think about what is making you feel this way. If you are suffering from an addiction, and are using to ease the pain of depression, YOU ARE NOT GOING FORWARD.  The depression pills may absolutely help you out of a dark place so that you have the energy and will power to quit the addiction, but don't use it as a crutch to ensure that problems in your life will never arise again, requiring you to cope with them.
Analyze your environment before taking any Chemical Cocktail that alters the chemistry in your brain. 

If there is no chemical imbalance then you will do more damage than good. 

There are many causes of environmental depression:
http://www.stresstips.com/the-role-of-environmental-stress-in-your-mood/

• marriage 

• work

• children/parent 

• home environment

• neighborhood

• home repairs

• health

• accidents/hospital stays

• safety concerns

• vehicle repairs

• money

• addictions 

• friends/family

• school

Including many endless possibilities such as:
overuse of electronics
the ending of a TV series
returning from vacation

        The list goes on, but these are the main stressors in a persons life. Dealing with, or rather COPING with any of them is most certainly anxiety inducing. The proper medication would be something that helps you COPE, not repair non defunct misfirings in your brain.
Just one, let alone many of these stressors can depress you so directly, that you do not enjoy the every day little things that give you most joy.
You're not happy at all any more, and unfortunately you may not be able to decipher whether it's coming from your diagnosed depression, or from your medications not working. Both require time and patience.

 

COPING SKILLS
http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/download/191/How-To-Improve-Coping-Skills

 

Something is making you unhappy. Work on identifying what that something is, and diligently try to change it, or learn how to cope with it. There is NO magic pill. 

 

If you are miserable because your marriage is miserable, a pill won't fix it. It can make you forget it, but that won't fix it.

 

If your job is stressful, and your boss is a jerk, there is no pill that will undo that.

         However, this doesn't always mean that you need a pill to alter your brain, when your brain had nothing to do with the cause of the depression I.e. The job, the house repairs, the bad relationship with your spouse....

 

You must learn to cope with things when there is not an imbalance causing the sadness and anxiety. Taking a pill won't make it go away, you must tackle it head on.

 

        Your job will not get better. Your spouse will not get sweeter. And your not going to suddenly drop pounds, look like a model and be the latest hot thing.

No magic pill for that either. It takes work. 

 

       There are many that are in need of them due to those imbalances that cause many of the same symptoms of depression or mania. Same goes for anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and several others who suffer from mental illness. Please, take these as needed and practice on your coping skills. 

 

As far as environmental depression, a pill will only make it worse on top of side effects. 

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-depression#1
 

Learn to cope. Learn coping skills. Practice coping skills. Try mindful techniques designed for you to process it. Work on things. Make goals. Move. Change jobs. Suffer the interim. Learn. To. Cope. 

Cut the toxic negativity out of your life and find the coping skills that work for you

FUKITOL

Borderline Personality Disorder BPD ~ Help for you and your loved ones

Here is a list of all the posts I covered that day on my Facebook page located at https://www.facebook.com/Imcrazygetoveryourself

BPD

~~~~~~~~~~

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness marked by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships.

Symptoms:

Extreme reactions—including panic, depression, rage, or frantic actions—to abandonment, whether real or perceived

A pattern of intense and stormy relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often veering from extreme closeness and love (idealization) to extreme dislike or anger (devaluation)

Distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self, which can result in sudden changes in feelings, opinions, values, or plans and goals for the future (such as school or career choices)

Impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, such as spending sprees, unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, and binge eating

Recurring suicidal behaviors or threats or self-harming behavior, such as cutting

Intense and highly changeable moods, with each episode lasting from a few hours to a few days

Chronic feelings of emptiness and/or boredom

Inappropriate, intense anger or problems controlling anger

Having stress-related paranoid thoughts or severe dissociative symptoms, such as feeling cut off from oneself, observing oneself from outside the body, or losing touch with reality.

~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~

Borderline personality disorder is quite different from bipolar I disorder. The mood swings seen in borderline personality disorder seldom last more than one day. Mood swings in bipolar I disorder last much longer. Borderline personality disorder doesn't exhibit the prolonged episodes of decreased need for sleep, hyperactivity, pressured speech, reckless over-involvement, and grandiosity that are ...characteristic of bipolar I disorder.

Borderline Coping Styles

◦Feels misunderstood, mistreated, or victimized.

◦Blames her own failures or shortcomings on other people or circumstances; attributes her difficulties to external factors rather than accepting responsibility for her own conduct or choices.

◦Gets into power struggles.

◦When upset, has trouble perceiving both positive and negative qualities in the same person at the same time (e.g. may see others in black or white terms, shift suddenly from seeing someone as an angel to seeing her as a devil).

◦Becomes irrational when strong emotions are stirred up; may show a significant decline from customary level of functioning.

◦Has little psychological insight into her own motives, behavior, etc.

◦Is unable to soothe or comfort herself without the help of another person (i.e. has difficulty regulating her own emotions).

◦Tends to “catastrophize”; is prone to see her problems as disastrous, unsolvable, etc.

◦Tends to hold grudges; may dwell on insults or slights for long periods.

◦When distressed, tends to revert to earlier, less mature ways of coping (e.g. clinging, whining, having tantrums).

◦Relationships tend to be unstable, chaotic, and rapidly changing.

~~~~~~~~~~

Tips for Friends and Family of Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder

It can be difficult to deal with a friend or loved one who has borderline personality disorder (BPD). Use these tips to handle tough times and help maintain a safe environment:

•Read as much as you can about BPD — knowing about the disorder helps you deal with it.

•If you live with someone who has BPD, join a support group or consider therapy for yourself to help you deal with the issues you face.

•Understand that BPD behaviors aren’t about you. Try to depersonalize what’s happening.

•Even if you understand BPD behaviors, you need to know your own limits and stick by them — don’t ever allow yourself to be abused.

•Understand your loved one’s hot buttons and try not to push them — yet know that you won’t always succeed.

•Realize that sometimes the only thing you can do is leave the relationship when your loved one repeatedly runs over your limits or when your loved one refuses treatment.

~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~

As with other mental disorders, the causes of borderline personality disorder aren't fully understood. Experts agree, though, that the disorder results from a combination of factors. Factors that seem likely to play a role include:

•Genetics. Some studies of twins and families suggest that personality disorders may be inherited or strongly associated with other mental disorders among family members.

•Environmental factors. Many people with borderline personality disorder have a history of childhood abuse, neglect and separation from caregivers or loved ones.

•Brain abnormalities. Some research has shown changes in certain areas of the brain involved in emotion regulation, impulsivity and aggression. In addition, certain brain chemicals that help regulate mood, such as serotonin, may not function properly.

~~~~~~~~~~

TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WITH BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

(Some of these are more for when a person may be agitated. You don't have to treat us like there is something wrong all the time.)

1. Be realistic.
You will not eliminate another person's borderline behavior, no matter how well you communicate. Only that person can do that.

2. Leave if necessary.
You do not have to tolerate physical threats or emotional or verbal abuse.

3. Simplify.
When speaking with a BP, especially about sensitive issues, remember emotion is likely to be so strong that neither of you can do high-level thinking. Make each sentence short, simple, and direct. Leave no room for misinterpretation.

4. Separate the person from the behavior.
Make it clear to the BP that when you dislike behavior, you do not dislike the person.

5. Address feelings before facts.
In ordinary conversation, we put facts before feelings. We assess facts and react with our feelings to them. But people with BPD often reverse this process.

6. Keep focusing on your message.
Ignore the BP's attacks or threats or attempts to change the subject. Stay calm and reiterate your point.

7. Ask questions.
Turn the problem over to the other person. Ask for alternative solutions.

8. Remember the importance of timing.
There are good times and bad times to bring up certain subjects.

9. In the midst of an intense conversation that is escalating and unproductive, practice

Delay, Distract, Depersonalize, and Detach.

~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
TIPS FOR LOVED ONES

Delay, Distract, Depersonalize, and Detach.

Delay.
Tell the other person, "Why don't we think about things and talk about this later?" or "Give me some time to think about what you're saying." Speak calmly and in a way that affirms the other person as well as yourself.

Distract.
Suggest, for instance, that the two of you run an errand together.

Depersonalize.
Throughout, you will do better if you remind yourself frequently that the BP's harsh criticism of you is not real, but still feels very real to that person. Don't take the other person's comments personally, however cutting or cruel they may feel to you. This is the nature of the disorder.

Detach.
Remove yourself emotionally from getting caught up in the emotional whirlwind. Resolve to yourself, "I'm not going to get so involved in this."

~~~~~~~~~~

Borderline Personality Disorder Coping Skills:

•Reduce the intensity of the emotional distress you feel

•Reduce the likelihood that you will do something harmful (e.g., engage in self- harming behaviors) to attempt to escape from the emotional distress

•Reduce the likelihood that you will engage in behaviors that destroy relationships (e.g., physical aggression) when you are upset

•Improve y...our ability to be able to continue to function well even when in stressful circumstances

•Build confidence in your ability to handle difficult situations

•Ultimately reduce your overall experience of emotion dysregulation

•Social Support. Talk to others who may understand what you are going through.

• Behavioral Activation. Engage in an activity that might take your mind off the stressful situation for a little while.

Relaxation Exercises. Practice a relaxation exercise, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.

• Grounding. Practice grounding exercises that are designed to keep you "grounded" in the present moment, rather than caught up in replaying events in your head, worrying about the future or zoning out.

•Mindfulness Meditation. Practice mindfulness meditation, which helps you to observe and describe your experiences without judging or rejecting them.

•Active Problem-Solving. Consider the problem at hand: Is there a way to solve the problem directly?

Many psychological treatments for BPD, including cognitive behavioral treatments such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focus on teaching healthier coping skills to manage strong emotions.

“Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction”), who defines mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”

~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) ~ Help for you and your loved one

Here is a copy of all the PTSD posts I made on my page found here at: https://www.facebook.com/Imcrazygetoveryourself?ref=hl

~~~~~~~~~~

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.

People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened ...even when they’re no longer in danger.

PTSD can cause many symptoms. These symptoms can be grouped into three categories:

1. Re-experiencing symptoms>

Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating

Bad dreams

Frightening thoughts.

2. Avoidance symptoms>

Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience

Feeling emotionally numb

Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry

Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past

Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.

3. Hyperarousal symptoms>

Being easily startled

Feeling tense or “on edge”

Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Risk factors for PTSD include:

Living through dangerous events and traumas
Having a history of mental illness
Getting hurt
Seeing people hurt or killed
Feeling horror, helplessness, or extreme fear
Having little or no social support after the event
Dealing with extra stress after the event, such as loss of a loved one, pain and injury, or loss of a job or home.
...
Resilience factors that may reduce the risk of PTSD include:

Seeking out support from other people, such as friends and family
Finding a support group after a traumatic event
Feeling good about one’s own actions in the face of danger
Having a coping strategy, or a way of getting through the bad event and learning from it
Being able to act and respond effectively despite feeling fear.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Treatments

Psychotherapy - “talk” therapy.

Exposure therapy - It exposes them to the trauma they experienced in a safe way.

Cognitive restructuring - This therapy helps people make sense of the bad memories.

Stress inoculation training - This therapy tries to reduce PTSD symptoms by teaching a person how to reduce anxiety.
...
Medications

---------------------------------------------

How Talk Therapies Help People Overcome PTSD

Talk therapies teach people helpful ways to react to frightening events that trigger their PTSD symptoms. Based on this general goal, different types of therapy may:

Teach about trauma and its effects.

Use relaxation and anger control skills.

Provide tips for better sleep, diet, and exercise habits.

Help people identify and deal with guilt, shame, and other feelings about the event.

Focus on changing how people react to their PTSD symptoms. For example, therapy helps people visit places and people that are reminders of the trauma.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

HOW TO TALK TO AND HELP A LOVED ONE WITH PTSD:

You may feel scared and frustrated about the changes you see in your loved one.
You can take steps to help a loved one cope with stress brought on by a traumatic event.
It is important to learn about PTSD so you can understand why it happened, how it is treated, and what you can do to help.

~~Here are ways you can help~~

•Learn as much as you can a...bout PTSD. Knowing how PTSD affects people may help you understand what your family member is going through.
•Offer to go to doctor visits with your family member.
•Tell your loved one you want to listen and that you also understand if he or she doesn't feel like talking.
•Plan family activities together, like having dinner or going to a movie.
•Take a walk, go for a bike ride, or do some other physical activity together.
•Encourage contact with family and close friends.

~~If angry or violent~~

•Agree that either of you can call a time-out at any time.
•Agree that when someone calls a time-out, the discussion must stop right then.
•Decide on a signal you will use to call a time-out. The signal can be a word that you say or a hand signal.
•Agree to tell each other where you will be and what you will be doing during the time-out. Tell each other what time you will come back

~~How can I communicate better?~~

•Be clear and to the point.
•Be positive. Blame and negative talk won't help the situation.
•Be a good listener. Don't argue or interrupt. Repeat what you hear to make sure you understand, and ask questions if you need to know more.
•Put your feelings into words. Your loved one may not know you are sad or frustrated unless you are clear about your feelings.
•Help your family member put feelings into words. Ask, "Are you feeling angry? Sad? Worried?"
•Ask how you can help.
•Don't give advice unless you are asked.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Crisis resources

You may feel helpless, but there are many things you can do. Nobody expects you to have all the answers. If you feel there is a crisis for you or your loved one, use one of these toll-free, confidential hotlines:

•The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline* is a 24-hour hotline for anyone in emotional distress: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). There is also an online Lifeline Chat* availabl...e from 5 pm to 1 am EST, weekdays.

•The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with VA responders through a 24/7 hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), PRESS 1. There is also a 24/7 online Confidential Veterans Chat or text message support at 838255.

•The National Domestic Violence Hotline* offers 24/7 anonymous access to shelters and domestic violence programs as well as legal advocacy, public education, and training: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

•The National Sexual Assault Hotline* operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is a 24/7 resource to link victims to counseling and legal advice: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). There is also a National Sexual Assault Online Hotline* for messaging.

•The National Child Abuse Hotline* is a 24/7 resource you can contact if you suspect a child is being abused, if you fear you might hurt your child, or if you have been abused: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453).

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include:

◾War
◾Natural disasters
◾Car or plane crashes
◾Terrorist attacks
◾Sudden death of a loved one
◾Rape
◾Kidnapping
◾Assault...
◾Sexual or physical abuse
◾Childhood neglect

Following a traumatic event, almost everyone experiences at least some of the symptoms of PTSD. When your sense of safety and trust are shattered, it’s normal to feel crazy, disconnected, or numb. It’s very common to have bad dreams, feel fearful, and find it difficult to stop thinking about what happened.

These are normal reactions to abnormal events.

For most people, however, these symptoms are short-lived. They may last for several days or even weeks, but they gradually lift. But if you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the symptoms don’t decrease. You don’t feel a little better each day. In fact, you may start to feel worse.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

While everyone experiences PTSD differently, there are three main types of symptoms:

1.Re-experiencing the traumatic event
2.Avoiding reminders of the trauma
3.Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

Symptoms of PTSD: Re-experiencing the traumatic event

◾Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
◾Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)...
◾Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
◾Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
◾Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)

Symptoms of PTSD: Avoidance and numbing

◾Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
◾ Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
◾ Loss of interest in activities and life in general
◾ Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
◾ Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)

Symptoms of PTSD: Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

◾Difficulty falling or staying asleep
◾ Irritability or outbursts of anger
◾ Difficulty concentrating
◾ Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
◾ Feeling jumpy and easily startled

Other common symptoms:

◾Anger and irritability
◾Guilt, shame, or self-blame
◾Substance abuse
◾Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
◾Depression and hopelessness
◾Suicidal thoughts and feelings
◾Feeling alienated and alone
◾Physical aches and pains

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

HELPING A LOVED ONE WITH PTSD:

◾Be patient and understanding.
Getting better takes time, even when a person is committed to treatment for PTSD. Be patient with the pace of recovery and offer a sympathetic ear. A person with PTSD may need to talk about the traumatic event over and over again. This is part of the healing process, so avoid the temptation to tell your loved one to stop rehashing the... past and move on.

◾Try to anticipate and prepare for PTSD triggers.
Common triggers include anniversary dates; people or places associated with the trauma; and certain sights, sounds, or smells. If you are aware of what triggers may cause an upsetting reaction, you’ll be in a better position to offer your support and help your loved one calm down.

◾Don’t take the symptoms of PTSD personally.
Common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include emotional numbness, anger, and withdrawal. If your loved one seems distant, irritable, or closed off, remember that this may not have anything to do with you or your relationship.

◾Don’t pressure your loved one into talking.
It is very difficult for people with PTSD to talk about their traumatic experiences. For some, it can even make things worse. Never try to force your loved one to open up. Let the person know, however, that you’re there when and if he or she wants to talk.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml?utm_campaign=Social%20%2BMedia&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Main%2BTwitter%2BFeed

 

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

 

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm

 

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/ptsd/

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/definition/CON-20022540

 

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

 

 

Anxiety ~ Help for you or your loved one

Here is a wrap up of my Anxiety posts from my page, here at https://www.facebook.com/Imcrazygetoveryourself?ref=hl

~~~~~~~~~~

Anxiety brings a multitude of symptoms from everywhere:

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a stressful situation.

Emotional symptoms of anxiety

In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common emotional symptoms of anxiety include:

◾Feelings of apprehension or dread
◾ Trouble concentrating
◾ Feeling tense and jumpy
◾ Anticipating the worst
◾ Irritability
◾ Restlessness
◾ Watching for signs of danger
◾ Feeling like your mind’s gone blank

Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:

◾Pounding heart
◾ Sweating
◾ Stomach upset or dizziness
◾ Frequent urination or diarrhea
◾ Shortness of breath
◾ Tremors and twitches
◾ Muscle tension
◾ Headaches
◾ Fatigue
◾ Insomnia

Symptoms of anxiety attacks include:

◾Surge of overwhelming panic
◾Feeling of losing control or going crazy
◾Feeling like you’re going to pass out
◾Hyperventilation
◾Hot flashes or chills
◾Feeling detached or unreal

 

~~~~~~~~

 

There are six major types of anxiety disorders, each with their own distinct symptom profile:

generalized anxiety disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder,
panic disorder (anxiety attacks),
phobia,
post-traumatic stress disorder,
and social anxiety disorder.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

Self-help for anxiety attacks and anxiety disorders #1:
Challenge negative thoughts

◾Write down your worries. Keep a pad and pencil on you, or type on a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. When you experience anxiety, write down your worries. Writing down is harder work than simply thinking them, so your negative thoughts are likely to disappear sooner.
◾Create an anxiety worry period. Choose one or ...two 10 minute “worry periods” each day, time you can devote to anxiety. During your worry period, focus only on negative, anxious thoughts without trying to correct them. The rest of the day, however, is to be designated free of anxiety. When anxious thoughts come into your head during the day, write them down and “postpone” them to your worry period.
◾Accept uncertainty. Unfortunately, worrying about all the things that could go wrong doesn’t make life any more predictable—it only keeps you from enjoying the good things happening in the present. Learn to accept uncertainty and not require immediate solutions to life’s problems.

Self-help for anxiety attacks and anxiety disorders #2:
Take care of yourself

◾Practice relaxation techniques. When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.
◾Adopt healthy eating habits. Start the day right with breakfast, and continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Going too long without eating leads to low blood sugar, which can make you feel more anxious.
◾Reduce alcohol and nicotine. They lead to more anxiety, not less.
◾Exercise regularly. Exercise is a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days.
◾Get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings, so try to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep a night.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

HOW TO TALK TO AND TREAT SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS FROM ANXIETY.

It's important to realize that while anxiety is not a physical condition, it's also not something that can be cured through logic or reasoning. Like a disease, anxiety is something that needs special treatment.
It's much more complex, much less controllable, and something that can force changes on you that make it harder to cure.

DO'S AN...D DON'TS

DO let this person know that they can talk to you about it openly, without any fear of judgment.
DO spend time with them as much as possible.
DO tell them to call you anytime, anywhere.
DO be forgiving.
DO exciting activities. Try to be outdoors.
DO be proud of them when they improve.
DO be yourself.

DON'T get frustrated.
DON'T bring up the anxiety often.
DON'T let anxiety affect you as well.
DON'T expect massive, immediate turnarounds.
DON'T guilt trip.
DON'T give up hope.

Be predictable and reliable. If you say that you'll be somewhere at a certain time, make sure that you are.

•Let the person you care for set the pace of their recovery. Don’t push them to do too much too soon, but encourage them to keep moving forwards.

•Try to get the person you care for to remain positive throughout the recovery process. Encourage and praise them, and don't focus on the things they can’t do.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

What to Do When Someone You Love Is Anxious

Knowledge - Learn as much as you can about anxiety and its symptoms, causes and treatments.

Criticism - Fair criticism directed at specific behaviors may actually work better than unconditional acceptance.

Accommodating. In fact, too much acceptance can often inadvertently lead to a poorer prognosis through accommodating behaviors and reassurance. I...t is not too late to make a change and set some limits.

Limit setting. This is a simple concept but surprisingly hard to implement because setting limits requires patience, strength and consistency. It doesn’t hurt to have a supportive, alternative statement prepared for when tough situations come up—something along the lines of “I love you, so I refuse to participate in this behavior because we know it is harmful to you in the long-run.”

Coaching. If your relationship is a good one and you feel you can manage it, work with your loved one to coach them in their battle with anxiety.

Contracting. Clearly outlining--in writing--the goals and the plan to reach them can help to organize and commit to the purpose. This would ideally include vows on both sides—what each of you will do to improve the situation.

Self-care. Perhaps the most important point, remember to take care of you.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

 

~~~~~~~~

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety

 

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders

 

http://www.adaa.org/

 

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/anxiety/

 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

 

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm