Dealing with PTSD
- Thread starter tweakdragon
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SpawnOfVader
Well-Known Member
That sounds awesome although hard for us land-locked individuals. I debated on trying wind surfing/kite surfing since I live in the single windiest state AND we have a ton of lakes/hot weather.
Lockedin
Well-Known Member
I would say do it! - I've wanted to try kite surfing for a while now; but I have a sailing dinghy project that needs to be finished before I can dump any money into anything else!
You say you have a lot of lakes - dinghies and Hobie style catamarans are a lot of fun. Have a quiet, relaxed sail or how fast you can go on wind power alone! (and fuel costs are non-existent!)
Greens2000
Active Member
I pray and try to surround myself with the right people. I like to draw and watch movies as well. Take it one day at a time. Peace
Stone_Free
Well-Known Member
I found learning piano a really big help. Exercise is great but I often struggled to want to go outside. If you suffer from anxiety, being around people you don't know can be hard work as well. I countered this by learning piano. Don't worry about getting "good" or playing songs, that will come later. In the beginning just learn and practise scales. You'll find it impossible to have negative thoughts when you're trying to get your hands to work together to play scales.
As you get into it you can start to read theory, learn chords, and learn easy songs. I found it really addictive and found 3-4 hours passed so quickly. Don't worry about getting to a particular standard, remember that you are doing it to distract you. You'll probably get really into it and want to learn your favourite style of music, whether Pop, Jazz, Rock etc.
There's tons of free tutorials on Youtube as well as some great online piano academies to check out.
Just remember to enjoy it, don't put any pressure on yourself and remind yourself that it's a skill that will last your whole lifetime. There is never any downside to learning to play an instrument, it's all only positive.
Good luck!
As you get into it you can start to read theory, learn chords, and learn easy songs. I found it really addictive and found 3-4 hours passed so quickly. Don't worry about getting to a particular standard, remember that you are doing it to distract you. You'll probably get really into it and want to learn your favourite style of music, whether Pop, Jazz, Rock etc.
There's tons of free tutorials on Youtube as well as some great online piano academies to check out.
Just remember to enjoy it, don't put any pressure on yourself and remind yourself that it's a skill that will last your whole lifetime. There is never any downside to learning to play an instrument, it's all only positive.
Good luck!
SheriGoddart75
New Member
I, alas, have the same problem as you. I try to avoid the presence of alcohol or tobacco in these situations. It seems to me that later I can not stop. Therefore, I prefer walking with my dog and yoga.
Lockedin
Well-Known Member
Strange one for men,
Old-School Wet Shaving...
Makes a hateful chore pleasant and more effective - even relaxing.
How does this relate to PTSD? - time, and a bit of self care that men can enjoy. Learning to use an aggressive razor turns a hated chore into a bit of a man-spa without wasting time.
Razors - Straight or Safety? Both can be found modern to antique, cheap to expensive.
Straight Razor - aka cut throat razor. This is an extremely sharp, naked blade in a handle. I love the cool factor of using straights, but they are more difficult to learn, more to learn about (sharpening, stropping, honing, first aid), and take a lot more time (in my hands). My favorite is an antique I found on ebay for $10. Found out that it was made between 1914-1917 - Over 100 years old. Great for a stormy Saturday morning and an hour to kill.
Safety Razor - Patented in 1904 by King Gillette, named because it's safer than a cut throat razor. But still a very different animal than today's multi-blades. Easier to learn, and (in my hands) fast, spectacular shavers. These are what I shave with daily. I can get a Baby-Butt-Smooth (BBS) shave quickly, easily, and usually blood-free. Good handles can be found for around $50, and blades can be found for around $25 for 100 (instead of the 8 I used to buy for the same price). A little care, and the handle will outlast you, and it's fun learning an old-school manly skill. I have my Grandfather's safety razor - cleaned and sterilized; very irritation free shaver.
Not to mention a good shaving kit looks killer in the bathroom.
***All pictures googled - not my stuff
Old-School Wet Shaving...
Makes a hateful chore pleasant and more effective - even relaxing.
How does this relate to PTSD? - time, and a bit of self care that men can enjoy. Learning to use an aggressive razor turns a hated chore into a bit of a man-spa without wasting time.
Razors - Straight or Safety? Both can be found modern to antique, cheap to expensive.
Straight Razor - aka cut throat razor. This is an extremely sharp, naked blade in a handle. I love the cool factor of using straights, but they are more difficult to learn, more to learn about (sharpening, stropping, honing, first aid), and take a lot more time (in my hands). My favorite is an antique I found on ebay for $10. Found out that it was made between 1914-1917 - Over 100 years old. Great for a stormy Saturday morning and an hour to kill.
Safety Razor - Patented in 1904 by King Gillette, named because it's safer than a cut throat razor. But still a very different animal than today's multi-blades. Easier to learn, and (in my hands) fast, spectacular shavers. These are what I shave with daily. I can get a Baby-Butt-Smooth (BBS) shave quickly, easily, and usually blood-free. Good handles can be found for around $50, and blades can be found for around $25 for 100 (instead of the 8 I used to buy for the same price). A little care, and the handle will outlast you, and it's fun learning an old-school manly skill. I have my Grandfather's safety razor - cleaned and sterilized; very irritation free shaver.
Not to mention a good shaving kit looks killer in the bathroom.
***All pictures googled - not my stuff
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SpawnOfVader
Well-Known Member
I haven't resolved to actually do it myself but I go to a barber for a straight shave every couple weeks.
Lockedin
Well-Known Member
Safety razors use the same motion, but at a different angle, so while there is a bit of a learning curve, it's not as hard (or dangerous to earlobes and nostrils) as a straight.
I started with an antique Gillette Super Speed, a cheap boar brush and a tube of Proraso shave cream.
I've upgraded a lot since then until I have a few distinctly different razors - open combs, slants, adjustables - similar to strains if you think about it.
Currently favoring a slant razor with an insanely sharp Japanese Feather blade - it makes my face as smooth as my avatar!
That and I got 100 blades for $18.50 shipped!
I started with an antique Gillette Super Speed, a cheap boar brush and a tube of Proraso shave cream.
I've upgraded a lot since then until I have a few distinctly different razors - open combs, slants, adjustables - similar to strains if you think about it.
Currently favoring a slant razor with an insanely sharp Japanese Feather blade - it makes my face as smooth as my avatar!
That and I got 100 blades for $18.50 shipped!
Omkarananda
Well-Known Member
I deal w ptsd too, from combat. You have to find things that work for you. And you have to be able to detect when you have been “triggered” and manage your reactions. If I get triggered I stop whatever and get present and look around. Then I see that I’m not in a dangerous situation or whatever and then I can not get so affected. Then I can do more now than I used to. Also I work out about daily, meditate, do yoga, eat healthy. That makes a difference. Keep the body healthy too and keep the mind active so read books about positive things that can help. Gene Keys book is really good, by R Rud. *and always try to remember to be aware of your breathing and control your breath
Gorillabilly
Well-Known Member
Dogs.... i suffered in silence for years. Those around me suffered because of it. Came back to weed instead of booze, that helped. But I got 2 big ass dogs. 1 highland Spanish mastiff, and 1 great dane. They saved me.
Lockedin
Well-Known Member
An old, crusty Pomeranian and an Alaskan Malamute saved me - and probably those around me....
SpawnOfVader
Well-Known Member
Agreed- but one German shepherd and a super wrinkly Shar-pei/staffordshire terrier cross
Merkn4aSquirtn
Well-Known Member
I’ve been dealing with ptsd since early 2010’s
Tried the 100’s of different meds
Tried a year of therapy
Spent a month locked in the va
The first 3 or 4 years sucked!
Luckily I started smoking MJ everyday about 6 years ago.
Completely quit drinking
Found a hobby
Bought a dog lol
Unfortunately I just got out of a 3 year relationship 2 weeks ago.
I’m surprised how good my mental health has been so far.
If it weren’t for Brutus, I’d probably be far worse off.
He keeps me company.
Keeps my mind off things I can’t control.
Most important thing is, he’s my responsibility and he needs me as much as I need him.
Dogs are great companions
Tried the 100’s of different meds
Tried a year of therapy
Spent a month locked in the va
The first 3 or 4 years sucked!
Luckily I started smoking MJ everyday about 6 years ago.
Completely quit drinking
Found a hobby
Bought a dog lol
Unfortunately I just got out of a 3 year relationship 2 weeks ago.
I’m surprised how good my mental health has been so far.
If it weren’t for Brutus, I’d probably be far worse off.
He keeps me company.
Keeps my mind off things I can’t control.
Most important thing is, he’s my responsibility and he needs me as much as I need him.
Dogs are great companions
SpawnOfVader
Well-Known Member
Gorgeous pup- i was looking at a bull terrier like that but didn't like the "breeders" I found who seemed more like "inbreeder"I’ve been dealing with ptsd since early 2010’s
Tried the 100’s of different meds
Tried a year of therapy
Spent a month locked in the va
The first 3 or 4 years sucked!
Luckily I started smoking MJ everyday about 6 years ago.
Completely quit drinking
Found a hobby
Bought a dog lol
Unfortunately I just got out of a 3 year relationship 2 weeks ago.
I’m surprised how good my mental health has been so far.
If it weren’t for Brutus, I’d probably be far worse off.
He keeps me company.
Keeps my mind off things I can’t control.
Most important thing is, he’s my responsibility and he needs me as much as I need him.
Dogs are great companions
Something about a wrinkly old face only a mother could love lol!
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SpawnOfVader
Well-Known Member
Thats my Shar-Pei/Staff cross. Trying to find a pic where she has her face scrunched up...so much extra skin her eyes disappear.
Merkn4aSquirtn
Well-Known Member
Yeah the whole breeding thing with those types of dogs are pretty rough.
I threw a blind eye up when looking for a BT.
I've wanted one since a kid lol.
The idea of 10 dogs being held in a kennel for months.
The idea of forking over an arm and a leg for him, just to let the breeder continue doing it.
None of it really sat well with me.
It's just, I can't stop people from doing what they want.
If it wasn't me that got him, someone else would have just as quick as me.
That man could be in jail by now for all I know.
Karma comes quick
And karma is real
Maybe not in a physical force but you definitely get back what you put out.
SpawnOfVader
Well-Known Member
For sure, I always get rescue dogs but I visit with them daily for a week or so to get to know them before they come home/let them interact with my other dog/dogs depending on the year.
Either way you look at it, no matter where you get the dog if you take good care of it you're doing something positive...
Merkn4aSquirtn
Well-Known Member
For sure!
SpawnOfVader
Well-Known Member
Progressive Muscle Relaxation is an interesting exercise to try as well. Similar to meditation except focusing on the physical elements of your body.