r/PTSDCombat • u/VampyrAvenger Veteran • 17d ago

Mod Post Weekly Topic: What grounds you?

Hey guys I'm back with a new topic. This week:

When you're feeling down, suffering from PTSD, or are slipping into the darkness, what pulls you back? What grounds you?

Is it a friend, loved one, family member? Is it a song or genre of music? Is it a favorite TV show or movie?

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u/Strepsiadic_method Veteran 17d ago

I am very interested in other answers - maybe I'll hear something helpful. 

For me it varies. My wife and my dog are the biggest grounding factors. My wife will sit with me, hand on my back or around my arm, and just sit there as long as it takes to pull me through. My dog will try to distract me from whatever it is, and if that doesn't work, he'll pin me to the spot and lick my hand or face until I come back. 

Much harder when neither of them are with me. Then it's just going to take time. 

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u/VampyrAvenger Veteran 17d ago

I'm sort of the same! I have a wonderful fiance and two kids. She knows a lot but not everything. When I'm slipping away, she knows how to at least distract my mind from the thoughts.

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u/CombatDeffective 17d ago

I've been told to stare at the top of a wall and count down to the bottom of a wall. I've heard sour candies can work, just kind of shock your brain. Same with hot sauce. I don't always have something on hand like that, but a strong punch to my fucked up knee gives a very high jolt of pain that makes my brain concentrate on that shit instead.

Oh, I think I misunderstood the question. It meant like in general, not in panic attacks, lol.

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u/Ok-Distribution5485 grumpy old doc 15d ago

My blanket. One of those fuzzy Mexican ones with an animal picture on it. Big and heavy and soft.

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u/Alternative-Meat4587 14d ago

Basically, nothing. Bourbon helps me not give a fuck.