Working up the courage..

[hardtotrust]

Hi Betelgeuse!! (is it because of the giant star? it's beautiful).

Glad you had the courage to post.

Don't forget that everytime you share something of your life you also helping people here. It helps remembering, releasing, understanding, getting mad at what needs to, healing.

Hugs.

[Gabben]

As I advance through my forties my coping skills are wearing down. I realize they're not appropriate, I've had lots of therapy, but I'm in somewhat of a crisis now, after yet another difficult relationship.

Hi Betelgeuse,

I can really relate to this line above. My coping skills are wearing down too.

Hugs and a warm welcome to you.

Gabben

[seasons]

Welcome Betelguese

Look forward to getting to know you..........seasons

[Hopalong]

I've lived in hypervigilant mode all my life, I can't turn the adrenalin off and it's burning me up. Being around people, even good friends, tires me and I need a lot of time to recharge.

Welcome Bee. I'm glad you're here.
Your description of yourself sounds not only like the hyperalertness of a somewhat PTSD adult child of N and BPD (yikers, poor you!), but also like a classic Introvert (per Myers Briggs).

I think your need to recharge sounds natural and healthy and it's nothing to feel badly about.

I think you can reduce one part of that equation, the PTSD. I believe assertiveness training is helpful. It teaches us that we are very capable of defending ourselvs and asserting our voices when necessary. Once those skills are practiced, they become internalized, so the adrenalin overload of hypervigilance can take a hike...

I bet you need a lot of time in nature, too. Do you get enough?

hugs
Hops

[Betelgeuse]

Dear all (Iphi, Carolyn, peace, Silver lining, Hard to trust, gabben, seasons, Hopalong),

Thank you for welcoming me! My 'posting confidence' has waned again, partly because I felt terrible about not having noticed Ami's loss. And partly because that's what I do - I wax and wane. One step forwards, one step back.

Hops, PTSD? YES! Major symptoms since childhood, compounded by some nasty experiences and difficult relationships later in life. I don't know if I'm a classic introvert, there's no way of knowing that really. I never spent time with other children until I was three yrs old (but was taught to recite poetry at age two - perfect little monkey lol) and seem to be spending my whole life catching up.

Well, more later...

Bee