I used to see a massage therapist and it worked pretty well for various different things regarding my PTSD and Depression.

I tried Kava a few times but ended up having a bad reaction - ended up with a rash on my face from it, however, I DID like the way it relaxed me.

I'm going to look into Reiki. Thanks for this thread!

Best,
Rachel

A little O.T. but I have a sense that some of the shamanic rituals that where/is performed in tribes are suited for to treat issuess around at least Pts, specially for intergrating the sufferer back with the tribe. They have a very different outlook on things but somehow I get the feeling that when they didn't have a direct cure the looked after this partly "magic" side of illness, where experience of "reality" get's bent.

I finally got brave enough to embark on giving my DH Reiki aimed at healing past wounds. It may help some, it may not help - that is beyond my control, and I accept that. I am confident that given in the right spirit, it can do no harm to either of us, as I have reached a point where I can offer it and then not take credit or blame if it works or doesn't work. And, I realize that he trusts me to give him this, but he'll not seek it otherwise, so if he gets this, it is up to me, at least for now. We shall see what comes of it, if anything.

Cowgirl

I take Art therapy. It's a great way to represent a feeling or thought.

I once built my safe place in a diarama in a shoe box. It was fun trying to come up with idea's of 'comfy' things I could represent in this space.

Another one that was great. I made a clay hollow ball ( sealed two bowls together) but inside I place small clay shapes each wrapped with a time of abuse or person or action which created trauma on paper. I sealed the ball and engraved the outside. When it was fired, the papers inside burned but the shapes remained on the interior for noise.

I do believe in Reiki, massage, chinese medicine, meditation, and exercise. All offer opportunity to center our energy, mind, and spirit.

One I would like to persue, When I lost my last pet and the vets and I were crying together, I told them I would come to their waiting room and greet their patients for the love. They thought that would be great because it would lower the stress level in the animals. I have yet to persue it but maybe this summer.

I've found yoga really helps - but I was doing it before as well so it's hard to separate out the effect, but I do feel a real sense of relief after doing it.

I'm also doing massage, partly as a form of exposure. It's tricky for me, but it's getting better.

I'm glad to read about the effectiveness of exercise. I've kind of gotten out of the routine, but your remarkes remind me of how important that is ... physically and emotionally. I wasn't aware until you mentioned that it helps relieve the immediate effects of ptsd -- so thank you.

Some of the others seem scary to me because they seem to carry an element of the loss of self control ... like someone else would be controlling me... and you know what that's like.

But thanks for bringing up the list.

This is just such a brilliant thread - just what I needed.

I have researched all the clinical trials on the meds I had been prescribed; Zopiclone and Citalopram, and they were as I expected - hideous.

I am trying to find a natural sleep aid and something to help with depression. I am currently running 5 miles every other day but as that wears off through the day I can feel my mood drop - I am looking into yoga too!

Thanks for this, so much!

Spirit x

Spirit, a natural sleep aid is Melatonin. You take a pill each night. It doesn't help you fall asleep however. It tells your body when you should be going to sleep. Its the natural chemical our body gives off to tell us when to go to sleep. It's very cheap and found just about anywhere. Your local pharmacist most likely has it on his shelves. If you decide to try this, remember this must be used only for a short period of time, then take a break or it loses its effectiveness. So Use it Sunday to Thursday night, and take a break Friday, Saturday kind of thing.

bec

Thank you Becvan

I will go check it out and let you know how I get on!

Thank you

Spirit x

I've tried a number of things but the things that have helped the most.

Art Therapy
Which I absolutely hated at the beginning. When my therapist suggested it I threw a tantrum shoved the drawing materials flying. Very mature. My therapist still has a chuckle about it, because whilst I'm throwing things around and carrying on, I'm arguing that drawing is for kids whilst totally behaving like one. Hmm.
Anyway I've since found it to be a good way of expressing myself when I can't with words.

Meditation
Still struggle with it, it's been on and off, when it works it works wonderfully. The problem is I sometimes flashback and/or get anxiety during it.

Biodynamic Massage
It's not on the list and I've only been twice but so far I've found it very beneficial. It's a type of somatic therapy.