Posted by Todd (216.199.4.17) on January 08, 2000 at 17:32:56:
In Reply to: REACHED INSANITY posted by KARI on January 08, 2000 at 07:47:55:
You've received many good suggestions for coping techniques in this thread. For what it's worth, my 2 cents is that which will work for you depends upon your individual personality, so try them all.
My personal approach is probably closest to JackBoyd's. I begin by focusing totally on the pain. I embrace it...not as a lover but as an adversary. I dare it, taunt it, tease it, challenge it. Tell it 'fine, c'mon, do your worst'. I do this because I believe that the objective is to get the pain to reach the highest level the Demon has decided to use this time. If he's chosen an 8 or 10 or 6 (whatever), I have to get there first before I can start beating it back down. So, the sooner I reach the peak, the sooner I can reach the valley.
I use an ice pack (ice cubes wrapped in a damp washcloth) right away. And I pace. The flooring in my house is both tile and carpet, and it's a pretty open floorplan, so I can make a big circle with my eyes closed and know from the tactile sensation on my bare feet where I am at all times.
I shut the rest of the world out. KISS could be performing in my living room full blast and I wouldn't notice during the attack. (As soon as the cluster ends, I would engage them in a serious debate about the differences between music and cacaphony, however).
I can't handle conversation. Anyone talking to me, or more likely asking what they can do, etc. is a distraction I can't afford. This is a battle between the Demon and me, and I intend to win.
Hope this helps, and feel free to email me anytime you like.
KTSSU,
T