Ways to ground yourself through PTSD triggers as a Neurodivergent

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[@ashleyboots3386]

Very good stuff! CPTSD is so often correlated with autism due to an uncaring family and society that having ways to ground yourself is a great tool for us autistic folks.

[@ardeaeichner2111]

Absolutely so true! I also feel, looking back at my childhood, it's tough to see my family's own internalized ablism... Like, they were supportive of diagnosed neurodiverse ppl and my mom works with kids in an assisted classroom... But it's like they thought that all kids were raised like this- to shut down emotions, intellectualize, and also control/mask to the point of burnout for the sake of parents's (also unregulated) neurodivergent nervous systems too..

[@ardeaeichner2111]

It's as though they're always saying "honey, I have to hold it all inside too, this is how regular people feel (and how we all get 'trained' as kids almost, like..)"

[@t0d1ff]

Grounding Tips (with time stamps) 1. Try not to hyperfixate (6:32) 2. Get right with yourself, meaning processing your own thoughts + emotions (9:15) 3. Breathe (13:13) 4. Eat, drink, take care of ya (15:57) 5. Reach out for support (18:46)

[@lauraluey]

The way you explained struggling to reach out to people when you are going through something hard, because you feel that your connection isn't consistent enough, or that you feel you only reach out when you need help... I really resonate with that, and hearing you say it has helped to ease some of the shame I feel around this. Reaching out for support is incredibly hard for me, especially because I'm not consistent with maintaining a connection to friends. The shame is still there, and it is one of my biggest struggles - the feeling of disconnect from people, the social anxiety... but, maybe I can stop judging myself so harshly for this. I'm just autistic, and there are other people who understand how I feel Thank you for all that you share with us, it's a gift to recieve 🙏🏻

[@koupefnbr]

Sitting here in absolute burn out after the longest week and it’s only Wednesday. I broke down the whole video, you’re explaining exactly how I feel as I’m feeling it.

[@Cutekuramon]

I struggle with hypersensory episodes due to trauma. They happen at night and i self soothe by playing pokemon on an emulator. Autism means we are at a higher sense of awareness of our surroundings due to our sensory issues. And that makes our trauma even more painful. Im lucky that my episodes never happen during the day as night time is when my body feels unsafe. Because it would heavily impact my performance at work. My night routine is that I only watch happy content in the evenings or take time to draw so nothing negative is in my mind before bed.

[@secretlybees]

I didn't recognize I was having a meltdown earlier until it was too late. I assumed the worst, panicked, and lashed out. I listened to this shortly after and I really needed it. Thank you. I mean, I know I was wrong and apologized and accept consequences, but I'm going to try not to fixate it, to take my walks and breathe, and take pause when that panic starts next time. Maybe remove myself from the situation. I'm glad I'm finally learning what's happening though, and how to handle it

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

I have yet to try this. There is a physiological process happening in your brain when trauma memories resurface. Essentially trauma doesn't make sense to the brain and it doesn't know where to send the memory for processing and storage. EMDR therapy can help with this. However something you can do while in the middle of a trigger is to listen to bilateral music because it essentially activates both sides of the brain as its happening and can help the brain process and store it. This has been a suggestion by my therapist who does a lot of trauma work. Something to consider trying when you are in the midst of a trigger and feel helpless to it.

[@jimwilliams3816]

Interesting. Thank you for that -- bilateral music is a new concept for me, and I am still trying to find someone to do EMDR with me, so that's a good interim step. What interests me about about EMDR is that it looks like it speaks the language of fight or flight directly, as opposed to trying to influence the limbic and central nervous systems primarily through the prefrontal cortex. A weak PFC is a keystone of my neurodiversity, and of course in flight or flight mode, the other two areas of the brain literally suppress the PFC -- in everyone. According to Robert Sapolsky (Human Behavioral Biology lecture series), the amygdala, a key player in fight or flight, has its own memory storage that is not accessible to other parts of the brain. It's a timesaver if there really is a tiger in the bushes -- let's not waste time thinking about that rustling sound -- but it's not so great if you are trying to figure out triggers. Knowing this helps me stay away from the sense of shame that can arise from the Freudian concept of repressed memories -- I did not "do this to myself."

[@podpoe]

have you ever tried vagus nerve massage? i have been trying it and im not sure if it helps but ive heard it can also help with calming down the fight or flight response.

[@huntoast6632]

I keep coming back to this video as I’m working through potential ptsd (or c-ptsd). The tips have been life changing and are helping me with the bumpy ride of starting a new job and getting used to a new routine. Thank you for this video Irene. ♥️

[@ShayleeNilaya]

I’ve never felt my heart closer to a stranger..I am binge watching all your videos, found your channel yesterday! The video with your mom made me cry, I observed your reactions and was almost as if I was looking into a mirror. I thought I had BPD but the weird thing about it is that I cannot put my finger on when exactly it might have started because for as long as I can remember myself I always felt that simply something was off. I have two questions, since it’s a genetic condition, and from what I understand our brains seem to be wired differently, how is the diagnosis done? I mean, is there actual medical tests that take place or a diagnosis based on traits, similar to personality disorders? Last but not least, not sure if you made a video about it yet but, how does it work with relationships and partners for you? Do you think you could make a video on that and address the phases and though process you go through? I have a million questions but just want to say a huge THANK you for your channel, you do actually help people and do something productive that has a positive impact on this world❤ Bless you

[@29juuni]

I really needed this, the video came at just the right time 💛

[@EloTheCurious]

Thank you for reminding me about the non-linear nature of growth and progress. The hurdle I keep blinding myself over when I get tripped up, is when I get triggered into an old cycle I had gotten out of, and feel like a whole failure because I didn’t “fix” that part of my C-PTSD. I have the self awareness now to not give up on myself as fast as i used to, but it’s still tough especially with really convincing “you tricked yourself into think you were ever better” inner critic monologues after being triggered. It’s all about respecting the process, and appreciating the journey. 🖤

[@nata1547]

Thank you, I just feel better after watching some of your videos, they are clear and soothing somehow :)

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

I can only seem to ground out best if I sleep well. I often suffer from insomnia. My limited psychic abilities/experiences often occur in the morning. when I am relaxed an well grounded.

[@kelsey5468]

This really helps put what I’m feeling in perspective. Thank you

[@chaparralchic4028]

Thank you for this video. Super insightful and your tone is calming despite the topic 👍

[@pocito]

Thank you Irene, we are proud of you too!

[@MinurielLai]

+

[@emi5165]

Ok this video is so helpful for more than just people dealing with ptsd, Im going to recommend this for everyone that has a disorder, because even though it might be different, there’s still something to learn.

[@liamodonovan6610]

You are a very intelligent speaker i always find your helpful love you so much your videos always mean a lot toe awesome video

[@baymuscle97]

I definitely needed to watch this video. Thank you for your insight!

[@markl4112]

Thanks soo much!

[@invisible__design657]

thank u for this video

[@DeepConnectionswithAndee]

These videos are mind blowing and being helpful…It’s prana

[@user-yf1mv5ji3e]

I love that shirt Irene.

[@shamilevergreen6200]

This is golden, and I found it at just the perfect time. Thank you so so much.

[@spiicyliime22]

You are fantastic. Really resonates with me right now, thank you. And I love the birds chirping as background :)

[@890oo7]

This made me so emotional. Thank you thank you for this video and reminder 🥲

[@marsmakesart]

this has been such a healing video to watch. it deeply resonated. thank you for sharing.

[@sweetest_taboo636]

Thank you so much for your contribution to the community. I stumbled across your channel during one of the lowest times of my life & still working to get myself out of it. I never knew why this keept happening to me, until now. I always thought I was just a horrible human being for not being able to control my triggers + hyperfixate like a maniac...

[@Nekoles_Perspective]

This resonates and I appreciate you taking time to make this video. ❤

[@sweetest_taboo636]

Wow. Your are amazing. I have never felt so "understood" by someone who I have never met.

[@samf.s.7731]

NGL Irene, I felt safe at some point during quarantine after I was vaccinated. Now, now I know why I got constantly bullied and who would take jabs at me whenever they can. And I know they're back at it. I got the DX this year, and I'm still trying to get official documents supporting it. I have to learn some very specific skills to deal with that. Of course I have depression, anxiety, and CPTSD. It's really tough but I don't want to give up tbh. I don't think that knowing what you're up against is half the battle, I think it's like 10% of the battle and the rest is what we have to do about it. No one is gonna stand up for me, and like most people who hardly ever suffered but whoop out this statement like they're throwing pearls of wisdom at me, I actually know FOR SURE now that I can't rely on people to accommodate me without a ton of explaining... And I have to learn how to do that. Of course not everyone will try to understand or accommodate, but I'm not giving up on everyone because of a bunch of douchebags.

[@walkingdiscovery]

Your vids are awesome. Thanks for advocating.. I can totally relate to the feeling of creating a new routine during c(o)vid. Some aspects of everything shutting down were actually really beneficial for me mentally . I feel like now that everything is getting back to normal, I feel that loss of control over my own schedule. I shared your videos with our discord server and a lot of people on there seem to really like it. You speak about things that are pretty nuanced and most autism focused pages just don't hit the mark as far as a lot of us are concerned. Keep up the great work and we are cheering you on. big fans!

[@CosmicHoneyMotherShip]

This 😢✨👏🏼✨🥲

[@edwardpaddock2528]

What if you are NOT safe? What if you have no wins? What if you have no support? Every attempt I have ever made to 'reach out', I have been harshly punished for. What I do not do, 'by myself', does not happen. I am never not 'going through a trigger'.

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

no safe space huh? if you can arrange it. take a very extended vacation. I couldn't do that until I had a nervous breakdown and at least 4 spiritual deaths. took 6 years. now my spirit guides are close. healing is only possible in a safe space. I feel for ya

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

Mugwort tea helps me too.

[@edwardpaddock2528]

@@gothboschincarnate3931 I am disabled, and am unable to go anywhere without help, and planning. I often can not afford food, i have never been on a vacation of any kind.

[@almag0410]

I literally didnt know im having triggers alllll day long. I am going to start researching triggers.

[@sk_lxr2920]

I love the way you explain things, your channel is a safe space for me and I thank you a lot for being so genuine about these kinds of things and helping us so much through your videos ♡

[@audreydavis1533]

❤

[@sofiesoup]

🎯

[@riizzie6370]

Omg, thank you so much! I have been on medication and different type of therapies (for at least 6 years). Having C-ptsd as HSP and was living in my trauma for the past 2,5 year. I was in university that let me continue to think in the same path as my trauma. Thank God I "woke up" this year and also, thank God I found you! This video helped me more than my 6 years done. Really, thank you. This means so much for me. And I think you can understand that kind of freedom I am experience rn. Because I have been in "trance" with trauma for a long time now. Was zombie the past 2 years. And all I have to do is to take meaningful breaks to breath my panics out.