Life After Bushfires
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28-10-2020 11:15 AM - edited 30-10-2020 08:37 AM
28-10-2020 11:15 AM - edited 30-10-2020 08:37 AM
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder.
Some people develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event such as the impact of the Australian Bushfires. People affected may feel anxious and highly vigilant, and have intrusive thoughts and memories of the trauma.
With treatment, people with PTSD can make a full recovery.
You can read more about PTSD here.
This thread is a safe space to discuss the impacts of PTSD on our lives.
Let’s start by sharing one strategy that has helped us in managing PTSD You can do so by pressing reply on this post
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29-10-2020 04:36 PM
29-10-2020 04:36 PM
Re: What is PTSD?
Such an important conversation to have, @nashy.
I have PTSD responses quite frequently (e.g. when I hear sirens, see sirens, see smoke, see fog or even clouds, see a fire truck, smell smoke, even seeing the colours red and blue).
Something that helps me a lot is actually something I heard while watching Jessica Jones: name the streets you've lived on in anti-chronological order. I find it really useful because you do have to really stop and think about it. That moment really disrupts the anxiety, and by the time I've finished rattling off the 12 or so streets, I feel a lot calmer.
And breathing. Deep breaths in. Deep breaths out. As well as mindfulness, and listing the things I can see, hear, smell, touch, etc around me.
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29-10-2020 06:24 PM
29-10-2020 06:24 PM
Re: What is PTSD?
This is interesting @YouAreNotAlone , as I have not been in a bush fire but with cyclones I know when we are getting one due to the feeling . Clouds etc xx
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30-10-2020 08:41 AM
30-10-2020 08:41 AM
Re: What is PTSD?
This strategy sounds so straight forward @YouAreNotAlone Thanks so much for sharing. The only one I have ever regularly used is the classic count backwards from 100 trick. When it comes to fight, flight freeze I have a fight response so I need a lot of intense energy reigned in. Might try the street trick next
@Shaz51 This is challenging. I'd imagine you see the clouds and feel a lot of different things, but also need to remain focused on pragmatic steps forward. Sitting with you
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04-11-2020 12:35 PM
04-11-2020 12:35 PM
Re: What is PTSD?
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10-11-2020 09:36 AM
10-11-2020 09:36 AM
Re: What is PTSD?
@YouAreNotAlone @Shaz51 Found this nice quick and easy trauma informed 5 min meditation
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10-11-2020 03:42 PM
10-11-2020 03:42 PM