Having daily emotional breakdowns, what should I do?!

When you are triggered the best thing to try and do is ground yourself by doing activities such as the ones on this list:

1. breathe slowly and deeply. In for 5 seconds. Hold for 5 seconds. Out for 5 seconds. and keep repeating it over and over.

2. Use your 5 senses. Smell 5 things where you are now. Taste 5 things. Hear 5 things. See 5 things. Touch 5 things. BUT if one of the senses is what triggered you don't use that sense, skip over it and use another one twice.

3. Call someone you trust, like a friend or your T

4. Write in a journal

5. Draw

6. Change your scenery. If you are outside go inside and visa versa.

7. Write poetry or a story

8. Read a book

9. Play video games

10. Write a letter to someone who hurt you. Then crumple it up and throw it away. Put all the thoughts down on paper as if you would show the person but tear it up and never show them. That is a way for you to get it out.

11. Go for a walk or jog. Be mindful, look at your surroundings and feel the sun, rain, snow, hot, cold.

12. Hold ice in your hand. The cold will snap you back to the present and wont leave any marks

13. Snap a rubber band against your wrist. Once again it will bring you back to the present.

14. Repeat phrases such as "I am safe now" "It's over" "It's just a memory"

15. If you have a pet like a dog or cat pet them, brush them, hug them. Pets hold unconditional love for their owners and are amazing at making people feel better.

Add your own to this list...

http://selfhelp.yuku.com

Lucinda,
It sounds like you've been through an awful lot. Without knowing more details, it's hard to specifically answer your question. If the therapist you're seeing now isn't helping you need to find a
new one. It often takes going to several therapists before you get just the right 'fit'.
In the meantime, for today, please call 1-800-273-8255
This is a crisis intervention line and it sounds like you could use someone in the know to talk to to help you get through this day and hopefully steer you in the right direction to get real help.
God bless you and good luck,
mimi

medical professional

well, the only way you can feel happy is to make other happy..
talk to someone which you can trust... and if you want love,then give it..
you want happiness,give it.. it will come back to you sooner or later

depression

curl up in a ball and die.

my nan did this

Based on the information you've shared, you're already going to therapy but that alone isn't helping you work through your emotional breakdowns. Many times these breakdowns you describe occur because we are so consumed and overwhelmed with daily routine stuff that we don't take time for ourselves. What outlets do you have strictly for you? Is there anything you do, or have done in the past to help you relax when you get stressed out? What's worked for you? Is there anything you'd like to try doing for fun, or to relax? Sometimes eliminating the stress of people and other obligations can be helpful. It can keep us from spreading ourselves too thin, and doing too much. Also, while school is probably unavoidable, try to prioritize the things that need to be done. It is easy to get stressed out when trying to work through numerous issues at once, but when you step back, and get them done in order of importance, you free yourself from constantly being overwhelmed. If it's not something you're used to doing, it will take some time to get used to, but it will happen in time. Making sure you take breaks for yourself and "shutting the world off" sometimes will help you to not feel so responsible for everything around you. Stressing less truly comes about when you're able to focus on the things you do have control over, and letting go of the things that are beyond it.

I hope this answer has been helpful and that you will take the time you need to reorganize things in your life so that you're not so easilt stressed out. Remember, it will take time to do this and you have to be patient with yourself and the process. If you have other issues or questions you'd like advice about, or answers to, try giving the Boys Town National Hotline a call at 1-800-448-3000. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to listen to your concerns, and help you make decisions that are right for you. You can also get online support at yourlifeyourvoice.org, Mon-Thu, 8-11 p.m. CST. Check us out now!

Counselor, AJ

boystown.org, yourlifeyourvoice.org