I have conquered many fears this year. But not one, can prepare you for a 3 am cat flying at your head and awakening you from a deep slumber of doxepin. I screamed, “AHHHHHH!” Then, “Damnit”. I go down the hall to the bathroom farthest away so in case I cuss some more its not heard by anyone. Anyone meaning, the cats, dog or Matt. Why did I find it necessary for them to not hear my cussing, I guess because it was 3 am and I was woken by something flying at me resembling a huge flying squirrel.
It is important to overcome fear because anxiety is detrimental to your health. But staying observant and positioned so that you know your escape route is also important for anyone and especially trauma victims.
Learning to balance this can take time.
- Recognize triggers without reacting
- Keeping a quarter in your pocket to flip over and over may be helpful or something similar, just anything so that you can begin connecting triggers and responses
- Keep a journal of trigger, actions, feelings (even the pit of stomachache). All things even if they seem silly
- Being aware and taking note will become second nature
- Suddenly you realize, my stomach doesn’t feel great right before an anxiety attack or maybe it was a headache for you
We all respond differently.
Hope this is helpful to someone!
Kat
My Saving Grace 