I do my best to avoid posting anything political on Facebook. Once in a while, I’ll post something I feel strongly about, but I always prepare myself for the backlash. And there will always be a backlash. Someone, somewhere, is going to disagree with my viewpoint and feel the need to tell me. That’s how social media works. I’m five and half years out from my last benzo, and I’ve seen a great deal of healing, so my central nervous system is much better equipped to handle the emotional stress and strain of disagreements. But that wasn’t always the case. When I was in the deep, dark, throes of benzo withdrawal, I struggled with my emotional response to just about everything. My feeling got hurt very easily. I felt teary at the drop of a hat. I couldn’t handle criticism, and everything sounded like criticism for awhile. Perhaps you know what I’m talking about. Perhaps you are struggling to keep your head above water in benzo withdrawal and in these highly charged political times.
What can we do to safeguard our recovery while the world seems to be going haywire around us? We avoid emotional triggers. We stay away from the social media or news outlets that disturb us. We can unfollow friends on Facebook that continually agitate us. We don’t spend hours and hours glued to our newsfeeds. And most importantly, we don’t stir the pot by leaving emotionally charged or unkind comments anywhere on the Internet. We don’t go inviting trouble, so to speak!
Emotional stress can set us back in benzo withdrawal. We need to take good care of ourselves. Limiting our exposure to drama on the Internet, or in our relationships, is important. Once we are more healed, we can engage with those who currently push our buttons. We will have more capability and capacity to see their point of view and to accommodate it to some degree. When we are more healed we may find that we are more flexible in life, with less and less being absolutely black and white. There’s something about going through benzo withdrawal that expands us, and opens us up in some pretty cool ways!
If you find yourself with an increase in benzo withdrawal symptoms, add up how much time you spend indulging in emotionally charged conversations either on the web or in person. How much time do you spend reading comments on a post? How much time do you spend reading the news, or watching it on television? If you find you are devoting too much time to politics, or any other topic that is emotionally charged for you, you may want to consider finding something less upsetting to do. I know that can be a challenge for some who are bedridden or too weak or dizzy to move around. But we can find simple things to do with our hands and minds such as paint, draw, knit, crochet, or do puzzles, etc. Set goals for yourself to use your time more kindly and gently. You can even set creative goals for yourself. I was determined to learn how to draw while I was in benzo withdrawal. I watched YouTube videos to learn technique and every day I drew something. I got pretty good!
No matter what is going on out in the world, you are busy healing. It is your number one, top priority job. Your health and well-being take center stage. Please respect your fragile and vulnerable central nervous system and limit your exposure to emotional upheaval. Limit your creation of drama, too. We can’t be responsible for others, but even in withdrawal, we can me mindful of our own side of the street and keep it as clean as possible.
One more thing that’s worth mentioning. Kindness is never out of style. If we treat ourselves and others with kindness, chances are good that we will be promoting not only our own healing, but healing for those around us as well. Even people who are not in benzo withdrawal are fighting great battles.
This is such an excellent post! I really cannot believe how overwhelming this political climate is. Just when I feel I am strong enough to handle it, my CNS reminds me where I really am in my healing. With already feeling so low, I need to remind myself to be careful about what I expose myself to. I just don’t want to make my life any smaller than it already is. Reading about what’s happening in the world makes me feel at least a little connected, but now I’m wondering at what cost. Thanks Jenn!
Thank you, Jenn. I am too uncomfortable to post more, as I went to a March in St. Paul on Saturday, and I feel too terrible. Point made.but thank you.
Wait. I’m worried my post might be misconstrued. I am thankful for your post. I did too much on Saturday. I’m being slammed again with symptoms. Maybe a post on when you can’t get your thoughts to come out right?
No worries! I understood your comment. I’ll do my best to write about words not coming out in withdrawal in the near future. Any topics that anyone would like me to write about, please let me know. Happy to do what I can. Keep healing everyone. Take good care of yourselves!
HiJenifer,I will be 2 years free on Feb7th,2016 with a failed taper of 7 months.Initially I had severe nightmare dream,anxiety dream,negative dreams related to my past.This days for last one month I have vivid dreams but no nightmares or negative dream but I woke up unrefreshed after 7-8 hours of sleep.I am in big trouble with unrefreshed sleep everyday.Need some advice.Will my sleep return to normal?
Yes, eventually your sleep will return to normal.Just takes time. It’s best to avoid medication unless you have to go there. If so, avoid any of the Z drugs as they are chemically related to a benzo. Best to try an antihistamine.
Hi Jennifer,
4 months off benzos and not sleeping at all zero for 15 16 days at a time. Then only getting a smidge ,a couple of hours . May you address this crippling insomnia issue ? As it is really scaring me ! Do you have a hopeful words to help me feel that I will be okay? Has anyone had this severe insomnia and did it get better? I took them for insomnia for 8 years with too many other dr.prescibed sleep meds as well and came off an anti depressant I’d been on for 30 yrs as well. I used amino acid NAD IV THERAPY TO COME OFF MEDS. Sorry just so sleep deprived. I’m not taking anything for sleep now and don’t want to but getting desperate. Any and all encouragement would be appreciated greatly!!! Sincerely ,Heidi
Hi Heidi,
Since you are off the med already, there are some natural remedies you could try for sleep such as pink him salt and manuka honey together, as well as, magnesium or magnesium/potassium supplement and magnesium oil, epsom salt baths, tart cherry to help produce natural melatonin, etc. try wearing an eye mask and listen to guided meditation for sleep.
JK