Mindfulness PTSD and Trauma...

[Gruffudd]

It seems to be a bit of a thing. I have been hearing people say that they can't do mindfulness strategies because they don't want to think about the past.

I was thinking though for me mindfulness is about being fully in the moment right now. It was my pathway out of the PTSD symptoms because they stopped my awareness of the world around. I think of it as reclaiming the now.

There seem to be enough front line workers and former ones here who are carrying stories, moments, sounds, and all sorts. I am another of that group. I do wonder what I would be like if I had been a plumber or a florist instead. Even so, with a little perseverance I am able to be in some of those places and around some of those people and feel alright, it took 5 years, and there will be more no doubt.

So this mindfulness, thinking on what I am doing, where I am, taking it all in. I was rather dismissive of it. There you go.

[MarkJT]

Gruffudd, spot on with the mindfulness. It is all about living in the present and not worrying the past, nor the future. I have found it massively beneficial in my recovery from PTSD (brought on by my job as a police officer).

I was pretty skeptical of it when first learnt of it in hospital but then had an experience shortly thereafter and accepted it. Been practicing it since and has grounded me on many many occasions!

Cheers

Mark.

[Guest_9809]

Well, I keep trying this Mindfulness thingy. But I'm darned if I can get the hang of it.

My psych has been trying to teach me how to do it for a while now, and even more so since I was diagnosed with PTSD. I try, honestly I do, but it's really hard!

I know many people find it really helpful, and perhaps one day I will manage to get the hang of it. I really hope so, as lately I could really use a little help. I tend to be a bit impatient I guess, and also unable to focus my mind on one thing. My brain tends to be so full of stuff its near impossible to focus purely on the here and now.

One day though ... I will get there. As my profile pic indicates, I am strong and I am determined.

[TBella]

You sure will get there!

I believe in 👍🏻

One step & victory at a time😀

[blondguy]

Hey Rob

Great post as 'Mindfulness' has always been a new coping mechanism label that I keep reading about and even with all the apps and all the info it seemed vague in meaning even though my counselors have 'adjusted' my thinking to the present years ago. I just keep hearing the 'tag' without an actual meaning or purpose.

Thankyou Rob for clarifying/sharing your use of this coping mechanism...Its helped me 'get it'

MarkJT said: "It is all about living in the present and not worrying the past, nor the
future. I have found it massively beneficial in my recovery from PTSD"

I can see clearly now the rain has gone 🙂

[Gruffudd]

I thought this might be slow for people to respond to because I always thought it codswallop.

I wonder if I might not be the only one who feels worse after a psych appointment. I seem to stir up too much.

I walk home from those appointments (it is about 15k) because I am not usually in a fit state to drive and bing on a bus or train when upset is not good for pride. And that is how I started, walking, I noticed the feeling of the wind, the smell of the leaves, cars, trams, that the birds make a somewhat unpleasant squawking sound, everything. It distracted me from the memories going around, so I do that now.

[MarkJT]

Gruffudd, isn't a great thing when "the penny drops" and you understand what mindfulness is. For me it was watching two butterflies in the gentle breeze and then i worked out i had been watching them for an hour and felt at ease when i was in the middle of a mental health hurricane!

Taurus, are you using an app? Smiling Mind is really good and taught me heaps. It is guided so makes things a bit easier to get the idea and grasp it. Don't worry about when your mind wanders off, i will be deep in concentration and then....ooooh penguins walking....i just acknowledge that my mind has wandered and then bring it back to the moment.

Keep persisting...

Mark.

[Neil_1]

Rob,

What a serendipitous way of getting into walking – (I’ve always wanted to use that word in a sentence).

I agree with you … having a session with a psych can really bring up loads of turmoil … the stuff we’ve tried to place right to the back of our mind, and yet, it still comes to hassle us at different times. Then we have to bring it up and talk about it and while sometimes doing this can have beneficial effects for us, that whole process can be so very traumatic.

Neil

[Gruffudd]

You got to use serendipitous and I got to use codswallop - what a joyful day for our lexicons.

I think it fine if the mind wanders, if you move out of mindfulness to daydreaming or imagining. The point for me is to get unstuck from the past trauma for a moment. I'm no purist. If an app helps, go for it. It is a great moment when you realise the beauty that is in the moment.

And then with this I am ok to be doing the work of tolerating my emotions and doing something different until there are little bits of resolution.

[SarahLulu]

Hey everyone,

I don't have PTSD and no experience with it however I do know a bit of mindfulness. I was skeptical at first when my psychologist mentioned it to me but have a done a bit through the app 'smiley minds' its the easiest way and very calming. It was made by headspace which is for younger people but I still think everyone could give it a shot and benefit from it. Give it a try x