I am also a longterm survivor. As both replies indicated, the trick is "managing" our responses to thoughts or situations that place us on edge.

Try to figure out what puts you on edge, if you can't avoid it, then you have to come up with a strategy to minimize it. A good therapist can help you to both figure out what triggers you specifically and help you to develop strategies to work around them.

Once the strategies are in place and become automatic or accessible for you, things will smooth out. It may mean altering your lifestyle, profession, and even the way you do things. There may even be some things that you can't change or avoid but you can survive if medicated. (I can't go to the dentist; it is a complete trigger for me - everything about it. I take sedatives, a mega dose, just to walk in the door - let alone sitting in the chair etc ...)The only way I go to the dentist is drugged up - but I survive. Sometimes, you reach a point, you just can't get over a specific mountain and no matter what you try it doesn't work, I gave up on the dentist trigger and accepted it was too big to manage.

As you continue your journey, post what you are trying and if anyone has experience with your triggers they will offer their strategies. Some may work for you and others not.

#1 BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF!!!!

It is so easy for us to expect quick results. We so desperately want to return to 'normal'.

Cindy