Tag: hypervigilance

Generalized Anxiety vs. PTSD Anxiety

I have devoted a lot of space on this blog to writing about PTSD, C+PTSD, and healing from trauma.  I’ve been honest about my own journey towards wholeness.  What I share here is an attempt to elucidate the emotional experience behind C+PTSD in specific… Continue Reading “Generalized Anxiety vs. PTSD Anxiety”

Lunch with My Mother

Well, I did it.  I saw my mother and stepfather.  I wasn’t nervous at all until about an hour before I had to leave, and then it hit me.  I was suddenly scared that she was going to be unkind to me.  I was… Continue Reading “Lunch with My Mother”

Big Ideas in A Little Poem

When you are a parent, partner, and all-around Make It Happen person, it can feel like there is no room for “flow” or peace.  When the buck stops with you, you never stop running, anticipating, planning, deciding, problem solving, observing, fixing, and repairing.  That’s… Continue Reading “Big Ideas in A Little Poem”

The Great California Shenanigan

I returned from my two-week romp through Northern California Monday night with my three hyper-sensitive daughters in tow.  My phrasing might make it sound like I have ten daughters seven of whom have little to no requirement of my presence.  Well, that’s not true.… Continue Reading “The Great California Shenanigan”

Your Narrative Brain and Trauma Recovery

I’ve been thinking about the idea of catastrophizing and feeling suspicious.  Both of these fall under the larger heading of hypervigilance.  Bear with me as I explain this because it’s very important. What is hypervigilance? It’s “an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by… Continue Reading “Your Narrative Brain and Trauma Recovery”

Getting Triggered

I thought I might document what a triggered response looks like.  Why? Well, for a few reasons. I have PTSD of the long-term variety.  I wish it were acute, but it isn’t.  I can contain like a pro.  I can hide my emotional suffering… Continue Reading “Getting Triggered”

Name It to Regulate It

There are times when I have heard something so profound that I was grateful I lived to reach that moment.  Suddenly, my life made more sense, or my understanding of what I will be able to accomplish opened up.  I had one of those… Continue Reading “Name It to Regulate It”

Therapy Homework: Imagining Assertiveness

Therapy Tuesday.  You know that you’re really in it when you don’t want to go.  My therapist looks a little too happy to see me.  Wipe that grin of your face dammit! It’s go time, and I don’t want to go.  I, of course,… Continue Reading “Therapy Homework: Imagining Assertiveness”