Somethings gotta give

[WouldntYouLikeToKnow]

My PTSD is getting worse after a long stretch of nothing. Two nights in a row I've jolted out of bed and cleared rooms. I feel like I'm hearing someone outside my house. I only slept 3 1/2 hours in the past 50 hours. My anxiety is keeping me up in the after math.

[Marnie22 Volunteer]

Hi. I find breathing exercises can be helpful, especially if you do them regularly; mindfulness exercises; hypnosis recordings; relaxation recordings. This website has lots of interesting stuff and is recommended by the NHS:

getselfhelp.co.uk/

Here are some links:

youtu.be/O-6f5wQXSu8(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/qcnU2sUTvxs(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/T2G_UFigF9g(Not working as expected?)

Are you having any therapy or support at the moment?

Best wishes. 🙂🌸

[WouldntYouLikeToKnow in reply to Marnie22]

Not currently I know I need it I am bad about putting everyone's needs before my own.. I feel like I can't breathe because so much is depending on me.

[Marnie22 Volunteer in reply to WouldntYouLikeToKnow]

I think you probably already know that you can help others and cope with stuff better generally if you get some help for yourself. You deserve help just as much as the people that you are helping. Perhaps call a helpline if you don't want to commit to anything more formal right now?

Also, do take look at the get self help website I mentioned as you can do a lot of stuff on your own.

🙂🌸

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to WouldntYouLikeToKnow]

I know the feeling and it can create extreme stress. I have experienced lack of sleep for 4.5 days straight, over 13 years ago.

Like you said, something has to give...and my body did.

Sleep is very important to function properly, all the major organs and ability to survive depend on it. Without it, the body can't regenerate on cellular level.

Serious lack of sleep is a medical emergency.

Do you have a doctor that you trust?

Marnie gave great tips and I agree with her, you can't give if you have no capacity.

I know that pressure is like there is no choice but with medical issues you need to take care of yourself.

I can't sleep either and I am feeling the anxiety much stronger.

The body can't regulate fear without sleep...

[WouldntYouLikeToKnow in reply to Nathalie99]

It's just hard because there is not 1 person that I can rely on. My life is so busy/hectic that literally no one could step in even temporarily for me to seek help. My husband is in the army and he relies on me for more than my kids do. He's a narcissist (not even being mean) He has every side effect. My mom and daddy aren't okay health wise so I handle affairs for them a lot. And my in laws are a joke my mother in is a addicted to pain medication. Everyone is so toxic in my life except my kid's they are literally the only light at the end of my tunnel.

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to WouldntYouLikeToKnow]

It is a lot and this much responsibility can bring an overload, particularly after a while.

It is hard being told to "take care of ourselves" while caring for others because to me it felt like an extra responsibility that I didn't have the energy for.

It's like you said in the title.

I think sleep is the biggest priority. I went through 4,5 days of no sleep and it was a torture. It might be too much anxiety and the nervous system can't shut down.

I am really sorry that you don't have anyone to rely on. I wish you had more support through this...

Firstly, if sleep is still bad, maybe calling a doctor would help?

Are there any organisations who help out so that you could take a break from your caregiving role and have time for yourself? Just having a few hours a week can make a big difference...

[Agara33]

Some people in this group have talked about having a dog and how much it transforms their life, makes them feel safe and supported...

[WouldntYouLikeToKnow in reply to Agara33]

It does help I actually have a overly protective dog my husband came in with a mask on and she bit him 🤣