Published in the Westchester Guardian, June 2011
Stuck in traffic my mind begins to grab some of the multitudes of thoughts that are on the edges of awareness. Instinctively, it searches for issues and problems that are unresolved. Of course, as a passenger my distraction options are limited and I really don’t need to think about unsolvable issues increasing my heart rate, anxiety, etc. These thoughts may not arise out of nowhere, for somewhere my sub-conscience “picked up” an image or phrase via the radio or observing the road. Another quiet, supposedly, relaxing time ruined.
Triggers: items and/or events that can set the mind on the road to anxiety, panic attacks and physical discomfort. They might be common items, words or situations that one comes across every day but for those with certain type’s mental illness, they can set the brain on a dangerous path. Triggers affect many of the various conditions that are under the umbrella of mental illness. Specifically, I will discuss its relationship with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for this pertains to my condition for which I am more familiar, however, the tools may be used for mostly any situation where the mind begins or can run amok.
These triggers can be very personal and difficult to discuss. For a simple example, an individual with OCD over hearing a conversation about cooking may leave that person wondering if they turned off the gas. No matter how many times they checked before leaving home, the mind may spiral downward rethinking of the consequences of a destroyed home, possessions lost, people hurt. Reality, common sense are overwhelmed by the fears and beliefs caused by this trigger. For an unspecified period of time, this individual’s life would be ‘handed over’ to this unwanted terror with the brain hijacked by a chemical imbalance thereby creating a false reality. It would not be unusual for a quick trip home to double check the stove. The pain involving not checking and living with doubt can be unbearable, but that is where distraction techniques (along with other methods to be discussed in later issues) become important and the pain becomes bearable. There are situations where I and many cannot live with this doubt.
We, who suffer do not have many choices about the pain and we must try and live a life. To avoid the pain offered by triggers, one must develop distraction skills a “bag of tricks”, or toolbox, to keep the mind positively active and focused, to offset the immediate thoughts and to reduce the long-term pain anxiety and panic. Skills to return to some normalcy where a stronger mental reality check remembers or confirms the unlikelihood of a stove turned off.
When my hands and mind are idle, I am more apt or my brain is more apt to finding triggers or creating one out of past experiences. Recently, hour-long car trips have proven to be very uncomfortable as thoughts seek discomforting images to grasp. As a passenger, my options are limited. The old axiom – move a muscle change a thought, is obviously unavailable. When we need to give ourselves a break from the normal as well as excessive over thinking of our mind, our toolbox helps and enables sufferers to offset these torments. These tools help me to relax and eventually to ‘Let go, and Let God’.
A good tool box – carries the essentials for many situations, the basics for a quick fix and a few items for those surprises. It should be well organized (that’s another issue!) and kept up to date with the latest supplies. For a recent trip, some old magazines were replaced a new puzzle book added, some CDs (to sleep with) and books were taken out of the local library.
Depending on the situation, most times I would not like to start a trip with something new or unfamiliar. When thoughts start wandering, it is not the time to read directions for a new word game, learn new characters in a story, etc. I will set aside some future time to purposely sit down and start a new puzzle even if something more pleasurable comes along for this part of my “homework” – having my tools properly oiled, set and ready, with the right tool for the right job and situation. Preparation is the key to any project. Wasting time looking, searching just adds more work and aggravation.
Many tools are available. A little imagination helps. Of course some are better than others depending on the situation. A brisk walk may be better than sitting and reading. Don’t be too stubborn on sticking to one tool; however, give yourself some time with each of your weapons for about fifteen minutes. With practice come well oiled skills for life’s abundant surprises.
#788
Glenn Slaby Blog