I can’t cope

[Captain24]

I’m not ok @Jynx I’m not coping. I’m so scared. So scared. I’m living in fear. 

[Jynx]

@Captain24 you are surviving is what you're doin!! Here with you hun 💜

Just about to pop off for dinner, so back soon but for now - see if you can take some deep breaths, and have a little moment of just checking in with yourself - have you eaten enough, gotten enough water and exercise, all those bits. 

Hugs my dear 🫂🫂

[Captain24]

I’m so sorry @Jynx. So sorry. 

I feel like I'm on the edge of a breakdown. 

I’ve eaten. I’ve had fluids. I haven’t exercised, I’m too scared. I walked my bestie out the front door and had my eyes peeled for snakes. I can’t go outside. I could only drive because my car was in the garage. But I still looked. 

Breathing hurts my chest. 

I need something help but do t know where to go. 

[Jynx]

@Captain24 crisis lines are always an option hun, especially if like you say you feel on the verge of breakdown. 

It's still a very fresh incident too hun, like so recent!! So it makes sense it is still lingering around your brain space. 

What are you up to, have you got something to help you stay grounded/distracted as needed?

[Captain24]

I was actually just on BB chat. @Jynx Which is a surprise to me. But it wasn’t helpful. It has put a bit of distance between me and the fear but hasn’t reduced my distress levels at all. 

Im falling apart

[Jynx]

Hmm @Captain24... 

Have you heard of the concept of displacement in psychology? 

In a nutshell, displacement is "a defense mechanism where someone redirects a negative emotion or impulse from its original source to a less threatening target. This redirection often happens unconsciously to protect oneself from emotional distress or conflict" (from google).

I'm not saying this is 100% what is happening, but I do wonder... maybe all this distress is actually just... the general distress of where you're at right now, but now that it has a 'target' it feels more 'real'? And like if there's a 'legitimate' reason for the distress, it allows you to express the emotions without having to feel guilty about being distressed 'over nothing'.

Also feel free to just say 'I can't think about big concepts right now Jynx!!' and I will change the topic and we can try distracties or something. 😉

[Captain24]

That’s interesting. @Jynx. It’s a lot to take in on a really degreased state but I see where it’s going. 

My main focus is on that snake but subconsciously it’s actually all of what’s going on. That’s why I can put a little bit of distance between me and the fear but not the distress. The fear is real for the situation but the distress is goes deeper? 

[Jynx]

You're doing SO well hun ahaha wow, colour me impressed at your perserverence @Captain24!  

Yes yes that's exactly what made me think of displacement in the first place!! When you said the fear had diminished but the distress was still there I was like HMMMMM maybe.... just maybe.... 

So yeah, something to chat to psych about if you wanted to - tho I know you've already got a pretty full docket and keep running outta time! 🙃 

Weren't you also struggling with numbness for a while there? Maybe part of it is that this shock to the system 'woke' it all back up and now you're feeling the full brunt of emotions again? Cos that would also be A LOT.

In any case, yes, I think it's possible this goes deeper than just 'had a close call with a snake' - so you can safely ignore any thoughts about 'oh why is this affecting me so much am I really that much of a scaredy cat' cos like... nah babes. You're dealing with so much more than most, and like if your cup was already FILLED to the brim, this would definitely push you, or anyone in your shoes, over the edge. 

Oh god I'm so sorry I've thrown a huge pile of words at you again 😲😅

[Captain24]

I’m sitting here crying @Jynx Ive lost it. I’ve completely lost it. I can’t breathe. 

[Jynx]

@Captain24 it's okay to let it all out hun. I'm here 🫂🫂