We so love Mom's new chair!

[p-c-1940]

Should we get up so Mom can sit down with her feet up?

[Nathalie99 Partner]

Very cute...

[Hidden]

Oh, they are lovely. Cory on the left and Chrissy on the right? They look beautiful!

[p-c-1940 in reply to Hidden]

Correct! Thank you. They really hate to get out of that chair sometimes...

[Hidden in reply to p-c-1940]

LOL - I know how that is.

[Lindyloo53 Volunteer]

Yeah....nah...let's stay here and she can find somewhere else!

What a lovely pic of two very contented friends.

[p-c-1940 in reply to Lindyloo53]

Thanks. My little family.

[DisneyDreamer86]

NOPE! Hog it for all its worth!!! LOL!!! Or Demand that she get you your very own!!! I actually have a couch SPECIFICALLY for Critters to use if they want. The only real restriction at my place are that Cats are NOT allowed on the kitchen table or the counters, but that's just about it.

[p-c-1940 in reply to DisneyDreamer86]

Well, they have nice little beds to use. They did not like the big, cushy cat/dog beds, so I got them little bitty beds. The oldest (black, Cory) likes her little bed in a corner of my bedroom. She is too big for it, but she likes overflowing it, I guess. Both sleep in my bed with me at night but then Cory goes either to her little bed or to a chair or rug in the bathroom. Little Chrissy sleeps right next to me! I reach out and pet her a bit. If I do it too much, though, she will go get in the peacock chair in my bedroom. But she always comes back to my bed! Most nights, at least for a while, after going to bed I have one cat on each side of me and I can lie there with a hand on each kitty, petting them. That is wonderful!

[DisneyDreamer86 in reply to p-c-1940]

Wish I had a Fur-Baby.... I have been struggling alot. My Anxiety is so bad, it often feels like I can't breathe or move. I can only walk minimally, as my stress levels seem to be affecting the muscles in my legs. I'm Terrified to sleep at all - I keep having nightmares about 9/11.... last one I had was so bad, I woke up wanting to scream, but felt like I couldn't breathe properly or move. I think it had to do with being in a burning elevator..... Part of me just wishes that my Doctors would agree to put me into a Medically - induced coma til April or May, but I know they won't.

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to DisneyDreamer86]

We are here...

I understand the impact of horrible nightmares and that they last longer and that it's so very scary.

I know.

But I just feel we can't give up...

I tried to do what Capejoy said about engaging the body so last week I was in a bad state, I dressed and walked around the block. Not far.

Maybe you could try gentle stretching exercises?

The muscles are indeed affected by stress.

I think somehow if we try to keep ourselves in motion even tiny bit every day, it can help us. Also, have you tried coloring books? Or those nice smelling essential oils you were talking about? Or delicious Davids Tea? Something you like, something small.

Don't let them live on after you wake up. Focusing on small tasks engages the brain. Walking or doing a little bit of exercise engages the body. Small steps...

Be gentle with yourself...

We are here to support you.

[DisneyDreamer86 in reply to Nathalie99]

I have been doing that, but ever since someone (My younger sister, actually) read my "Hard Copy" Journal & Showed it to my Parents, I haven't kept one. There was a HUGE fight, both verbal and physical between me & my Mom. My Mom slapped me across the face, and got very aggressive with me. At some point, I totally LOST IT & Slapped her back. This was YEARS ago, but I've been scared to keep a Hard Copy Journal ever since. The oils help to an Extent, but bad stuff has been happening to me around this time of year for So Long, that I'm CONVINCED that my Family is Cursed.

In addition to all this, I am trying very hard to help Errol - He's in a pretty bad place right now, too. I've suggested this site several times, but he is Convinced that NOBODY Can Help Him, or that they Care enough to Try, because of his own PTSD & Medical issues. Both of us need counselling, but I Can't afford it, and he doesn't want to talk about it. I actually spent alot of time with him on the phone last night, texting with him & doing my best to help him. But I'm Scared for him.

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to DisneyDreamer86]

I am so sorry.....so sad...

I do understand, I am using a lot of my energy trying to help my boyfriend or worrying about him.

This is really hard situation. It's like fighting for two...

I wish you all the strength in the world in dealing with this situation.

[p-c-1940]

Aw, come on, Disney, you don't really want to be in a coma - 'cause you couldn't do your great posts here! Wow, 9/11 - That is one of the most horrific things I have ever seen. I think that many people are still processing it. Since then I cannot fly in an airplane, no way. I did only one time and my anxiety was so bad, as the plane landed I started crying and could not stop. I still smoked cigs then and I could hardly wait to get somewhere to have a cigarette. Because of that, I missed the shuttle back to my city and had a difficult time. Finally got home and a shuttle driver delivered me right to my door! No more flying for me. I would rather drive.

Disney, can you possibly 'plan' your dreams when you go to bed? Tell yourself that if you dream, it will be about beautiful places in nature - meadow with green plants all around, a stream, waterfall, deer grazing, bird sounds, sound of tumbling waterfall and brook, etc? What helps me at night is breathing very slowly. I also meditate with the breathing and the word I use for each breath is "peace."

How about a fun trip to the animal shelter and picking out a baby 'fur baby?' These lovely little critters help me greatly with anxiety and also sleeping. The oldest little girl I adopted from Felines and Friends and the younger little girl I found from an ad: "good home wanted for free kittens."

[DisneyDreamer86 in reply to p-c-1940]

I actually Have tried Planning my Dreams, but don't have much luck with it. I STILL have nightmares. I'm just tired of being Scared Out of My Witts 24/7, 365 days of the year.

[p-c-1940]

When did this start, being so scared?

[DisneyDreamer86 in reply to p-c-1940]

Been scared for YEARS..... But I guess it started when I was about 5 - when my Grandma Jeanne had her first heart-attack. Between September and some times right into May, I'm a mess. And I'm REALLY scared for my Friend, Errol right now, too. I spent most of last night trying to talking him out of suicide. I couldn't stop him from leaving this morning, though.... I just feel sick with worry.

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to DisneyDreamer86]

This is extremely serious situation. I feel like you are struggling for both of you to just survive.....

I don't know what his situation is just that it's so much for you to carry alone. Trust me on this one. You need help just to be able to support him and talk to someone. I know that in such a situation I needed myself to call a crisis hotline when I was trying to help someone else because it was so much...

And his safety is absolutely a priority. I feel that if it's a long term situation then he needs a professional help.....and fast....

[DisneyDreamer86 in reply to Nathalie99]

I did actually call my local Crisis holiness... Trying to come up with a plan to help him.... but he doesn't believe that they can help him. He thinks it's a waste of time. Had a very Restless night, & didn't get much sleep today. Too scared and worried. & stressed. Plus, my hip is sore again.

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to DisneyDreamer86]

I understand...that's a very sad situation. Good that you called them. Having a concrete plan is a good step but I feel there is an urgency but in such cases they make an exception I think and find help quickly. I agree, he needs to consent to it.

The physical pain you are having might be related to stress and not enough sleep. As hard as it is, you need to take care of yourself too and need sleep...

I think that he needs to accept help (I'm thinking either inpatient or outpatient program or at least frequent counseling), that's the hardest first step and it feels like the end of the world but after a week it gets better. Tell him that...Sure the first 2 - 4 days are very difficult but it's temporary and then it gets significantly better.

It's the small things like art therapy or music therapy or yoga that are therapeutic and just people caring, or being a part of a group that helps to find perspective again. There is a lot that can be done but he needs to trust that he will feel better. He needs to fight even if it's so very hard...

[DisneyDreamer86 in reply to Nathalie99]

That's what I told him. I've battled chronic, Clinical, & Seasonal depression for years. I had to tell him some of my Family Medical History, & how badly my Mom's Dad's Suicide has effected multiple generations - mine included. Some of my problems are genetic, and some aren't. My Stubbornness has kept me alive, and my ODD has come in handy at times, too.

I have achieved things my Doctors never thought I would. Basically, if you tell me I can't do something, I will either prove you WRONG or at least Try too!

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to DisneyDreamer86]

You made good points here...

I believe that we need to fight...