Thought Stirring Question: Public
Many survivors experience things during their daily lives which pull them out of the present:
- Dissociation disconnects us from the outside world, driving us inward.
- Depersonalization or derealization can have a similar effect - bringing about feelings of not being connected to our bodies, or doubting the reality of our existence.
- Flashbacks can pull us from the present and bring us back to our past
- Anxiety can bring us down unknown paths to the future. Some survivors cope with anxiety by planning or scheduling, which can further bring us out of the present and into the future.
It can be difficult to stay in the present, with so much pulling us into the past, future, or away from the reality of the present. Being able to focus on the present moment can be helpful in combating anxieties, re-centering after a flashback, coping through a crisis, and relearning social interaction after rape or abuse - but it can be a difficult skill to learn.
This week's questions are:
- What challenges do you face in staying present?
- What challenges to staying present would you most like to work on, and why?
- What methods or techniques do you use to stay grounded in the present?
- Dissociation disconnects us from the outside world, driving us inward.
- Depersonalization or derealization can have a similar effect - bringing about feelings of not being connected to our bodies, or doubting the reality of our existence.
- Flashbacks can pull us from the present and bring us back to our past
- Anxiety can bring us down unknown paths to the future. Some survivors cope with anxiety by planning or scheduling, which can further bring us out of the present and into the future.
It can be difficult to stay in the present, with so much pulling us into the past, future, or away from the reality of the present. Being able to focus on the present moment can be helpful in combating anxieties, re-centering after a flashback, coping through a crisis, and relearning social interaction after rape or abuse - but it can be a difficult skill to learn.
This week's questions are:
- What challenges do you face in staying present?
- What challenges to staying present would you most like to work on, and why?
- What methods or techniques do you use to stay grounded in the present?