4) ACCEPTING PTSD SYMPTOMS, WITH SELF AFFIRMATIONS
REVERSING A VICIOUS CYCLE
The symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are often so unpleasant they can difficult to accept as part of our self experience.
However, by rejecting these symptoms we can create unpleasant secondary emotions, such as self-loathing, guilt, shame, disgust, and craving.
If we become so uncomfortable that we begin to self-medicate, our relationships can suffer from debilitating addictive behaviour.
To reverse this vicious downward spiral, we need to accept our state of being and affirm our self-worth.
SELF-AFFIRMING SONG
In Video 4, entitled “Humming Affirmations”, we suggest adding certain lyrics to the tune we have been humming in the previous three videos.
This provides us with a self-affirming song about our present state, that we can silently sing, while tuning our emotional instrument.
The affirmations helps us overcome the negative attitudes we sometimes develop about ourselves, whenever we suffer the symptoms of PTSD.
Common refrains, such as, “Having intrusive thoughts must mean I am weak!” need to be tuned out and replaced by more positive thoughts about ourselves.
TUNING INTO TRAUMA
Tuning into feelings associated with traumatic memories, while humming a self-affirming song, helps people to notice the effects of trauma upon their sense of self.
They can begin to understand the trauma as an unfortunate, specific event in a sometimes dangerous world, rather than a general condition of life and a negative reflection of their fundamental identify.
This new perspective helps change the meaning of trauma’s effects, from personal incompetence to a sign of mastery and courage.
VIDEO 4- HUMMING AFFIRMATIONS
Once you you have become proficient in practicing the protocols in Video 4,
click here for 5) EXPOSING PTSD