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LordSenate
One of the Lost


Registered: 09/15/02
Posts: 37,093
Loc: First Circle of Hell
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Paranoia and strong fear.
#19286725 - 12/17/13 12:30 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I won't make a really long post so I will try and get straight to the point.. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on an issue I've been having, that has been getting worse over time. I've been in some combat situations but none of them where I had anyone sneak up on me or anything like that. I was never personally fired at nor did I ever fire a weapon at anyone.
Long story short.. Say for instance I'm taking a shower or a bath and I get shampoo in my eyes.. I freak out when I can't see because I'm afraid someones going to sneak up on me.. Or I'll look and I will think I see the door open and jump... All sorts of scenarios like that but it mainly revolves around the shower (unless someone comes in my room when I'm playing loud music and scares me that way).
I just don't know what to do.. Its not life breaking or anything but its uncomfortable and certainly puts me on edge for a while after I take one, which makes me not want to clean myself.. But I have to. I don't even know what to say to my psychiatrist or psychologist...
Any help is appreciated, thank you all.
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


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Posts: 37,093
Loc: First Circle of Hell
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19286748 - 12/17/13 12:36 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Also another things that baffles me is that I've been out of the service for at least 4 years... and I didn't start having this issue until a couple months ago.
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numonkei
Back! From thedigestive tractof dave theiguana!

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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19286752 - 12/17/13 12:37 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Do you have a phobia about being seen in the buff?
I'm certain this won't be a helpful reply to you, but if that is an issue it would put your issue to rest really quickly. Being startled/scared/fearing is a pretty basic and common instinct. You are vulnerable. I'm not saying no one is trying to rape and kill you in the shower, but I am definitely typing that if you were a close personal friend and I ever scared you in the shower I would feel really bad about it right about now and probably keep a sharp utensil in the shower in case retribution were to arise.
~Monk
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


Registered: 09/15/02
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: numonkei]
#19286769 - 12/17/13 12:42 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Nah, being seen nude doesn't bother me at all.. I guess the same sorta thing happens when I'm outside and its pitch dark and I can't see shit.. I get really scared and paranoid.. I suppose to some extent it could be considered normal but I've never had this happen before and definitely not as consistent. I've had it happen maybe a couple times throughout my life... up until the last couple months where the shit I mentioned scares the shit out of me
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jack_straw2208
Doctor



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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19286869 - 12/17/13 01:50 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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cut back on your stimulant consumption.
if you are paying all of your attention to your surroundings, un-justified fear will not enter the equation
-------------------- If you can’t tell what you desperately need, it’s probably sleep.
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


Registered: 09/15/02
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? I don't take any stimulants
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eve69
--=..Did Adam and ...?=--



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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19287202 - 12/17/13 05:12 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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PTSD -you didn't have to be in Apocalypse Now conditions to still receive scarring. A shrink would be a good idea. Or else you could learn the essence of biofeedback which is to adjust your bodies reaction during these times. Count to ten, breath deep once in and out, look for signs of stress in the body and relax, that sort of thing. A shrink will most likely give you some benzo and and an antidepressant. They will kill your sex drive. Before going the medical route consider the strategy of yoga, pilates, or some other exercise program which can lower your overall blood pressure and heartrate.
-------------------- ...or something
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thoughts
imagining.


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Posts: 16,816
Loc: here.
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306503 - 12/21/13 05:35 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Didn't an IED almost kill you?
-------------------- I need Jesus.
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: thoughts] 5
#19306548 - 12/21/13 06:22 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Take your petty, butthurt trolling crap to another forum, child.
LS: You should get a clear shower curtain at least until you get some therapy. At least then you won't be living in Psycho style fear of someone Norman Batesing you while you shower.
Have you tried some form of meditation?
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thoughts
imagining.


Registered: 10/06/07
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: idiotek]
#19306601 - 12/21/13 06:44 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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What are you talking about?
-------------------- I need Jesus.
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: thoughts]
#19306613 - 12/21/13 06:49 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Let's see, pretty much any post of yours in this thread will do:
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18996616#18996616
Quote:
thoughts said: HAHAHAHA.
LS, you're a fucking crybaby, look at you. Fucking cripple.
It's kinda funny that IED didn't kill you, you get to suffer the rest of your life. Fuck yeah.
Quote:
thoughts said: Because you're a traumatized pussy.
BOOM!!! IED in your face, bitch!
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: idiotek]
#19306634 - 12/21/13 06:56 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I really need to try meditation.. I have found something that seems to work for the time being, although I still need to try some meditation and shit like that too.
It's a relatively simple fix and I don't know if it will be permanent but all I do now is lock the door (stupid right?) but I can take a shower a lot easier since I know if anyone comes through that door, I will hear that shit. I was getting scared because I was thinking some psycho type shit where they sneak up on me or something. But yeah, locking it seems to do the trick for now.
That still doesn't solve the issue of it being pitch black outside and the same thing happening, so meditation is definitely in the cards. I also start massage therapy soon and physical therapy so that should help me relax and maybe get in the meditation type mood (after massage therapy anyway)
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306636 - 12/21/13 06:57 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Does the VA offer much assistance to people in your position?
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thoughts
imagining.


Registered: 10/06/07
Posts: 16,816
Loc: here.
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: idiotek]
#19306637 - 12/21/13 06:58 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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You have a lot of trouble keeping otd garbage in otd don't you?
This isn't otd, in case you haven't noticed. I didn't come in here bringing in otd bullshit. I asked a serious question.
So let me give you a little bit of your own advice, idiot.
Quote:
idiotek said: Take your petty, butthurt trolling crap to another forum, child.
-------------------- I need Jesus.
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thoughts
imagining.


Registered: 10/06/07
Posts: 16,816
Loc: here.
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306641 - 12/21/13 06:59 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
PedoPolice said: I really need to try meditation.. I have found something that seems to work for the time being, although I still need to try some meditation and shit like that too.
It's a relatively simple fix and I don't know if it will be permanent but all I do now is lock the door (stupid right?) but I can take a shower a lot easier since I know if anyone comes through that door, I will hear that shit. I was getting scared because I was thinking some psycho type shit where they sneak up on me or something. But yeah, locking it seems to do the trick for now.
That still doesn't solve the issue of it being pitch black outside and the same thing happening, so meditation is definitely in the cards. I also start massage therapy soon and physical therapy so that should help me relax and maybe get in the meditation type mood (after massage therapy anyway)
Have you tried yoga?
-------------------- I need Jesus.
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: thoughts] 1
#19306648 - 12/21/13 07:02 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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So now you're going to insult me for asking you to keep your petty crap out of someone's serious thread? You've been trolling him about PTSD and IEDs for a couple of months now. You got yourself banned from the Pub and OTD - I don't think I'm the one who has trouble keeping things in OTD that belong there. You're just trying to troll within the rules. Grow up dude, this is not the place for your crap.
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


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Posts: 37,093
Loc: First Circle of Hell
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306654 - 12/21/13 07:03 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Definitely.. All sorts of stuff. Of course I have the counselor/psychologist and then the psychiatrist for medications.. but there are tons of things available for me to take advantage of. I went to two programs a couple months ago, each about a month long. Now that I've completed those they have advance inpatient treatment programs that get a lot more intensive. The one is called cognitive something therapy I forget lol.. and the other one is prolonged exposure. One helps you understand your thought process and help you question things as well as go deep into whatever your trauma is. It's supposed to be really difficult but I've talked to a few people that said it helped them. The prolonged exposure they give you passes to go to town and say for instance you don't like having your back turned to where everyone is at, they try and get you to start doing that in a more controlled way. Each of those programs has a ton of stuff to do as well so you do have fun and not have to go crazy.
I also can do vocational rehab where they help you either go to school or training and all sorts of other stuff. Of course the compensation for disability helps a bunch too but most importantly are the programs available and I'm actually really satisfied with what I've done so far. I was shocked at how good the programs actually were.
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thoughts
imagining.


Registered: 10/06/07
Posts: 16,816
Loc: here.
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: idiotek]
#19306659 - 12/21/13 07:08 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
idiotek said: So now you're going to insult me for asking you to keep your petty crap out of someone's serious thread? You've been trolling him about PTSD and IEDs for a couple of months now. You got yourself banned from the Pub and OTD - I don't think I'm the one who has trouble keeping things in OTD that belong there. You're just trying to troll within the rules. Grow up dude, this is not the place for your crap.
Again, what are you on about?
I asked OP if he had been in an IED incident because that could have a lot to do with why he's getting these paranoid thoughts. I'm trying to help the guy get to the root of this problem...then you came in here and spread all this otd bullcrap. Why? You obviously have some personal issues with me. Keep that in PM if you're that upset, weirdo.
Stop derailing this thread please.
-------------------- I need Jesus.
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306663 - 12/21/13 07:11 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I don't know enough about how to treat responses that cross over from mental to physical. I know a couple of guys that did extended tours in Iraq and had a really hard time driving when they got back because they would swerve if they saw debris on the side of the road, etc. It's like a hardwired instinct sort of thing, survival mode. It's not entirely unnatural or whatever, you just have to recondition yourself not to evaluate common things as threats in this environment that might have been legitimate ones in a warzone.
A friend of mine that is working on his PhD in psych is in town and we're going to be working on my other house later today, I'll ask him what he thinks would be a good place for you to start on your own with working toward getting that stuff more under control. He's open to alternative things like using psychedelics and so forth to get yourself into a mental state where you might be able to re-route those thought pathways or whatever. I wish I knew more about that stuff.
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: idiotek]
#19306675 - 12/21/13 07:16 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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The way my counselor explained it, is that most people naturally adjust to trauma so they can cope with it and move on.. But in the situation with someone in combat they have to put the trauma aside and aren't able to deal with it because they have to bottle it up so they can survive and get out of there alive.
I have a really hard time in vehicles but its not so much the objects on the side of the road that get me (although that might possibly become an issue when I can drive again) but I'm more afraid of other drivers on the road and feel horrible the whole time in a vehicle. Not to mention when someone touches me without me seeing them or saying something when I didn't realize they were there.
I can't complain a whole lot though since things have been getting better, at least with being able to identify when I'm doing something that isn't quite "normal"
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306681 - 12/21/13 07:21 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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It's intriguing how the human body responds and adapts to its conditions in order to stay alive. I have full faith and confidence that you will work these things out with some time and patience. I know it was a struggle for my other friends as well.
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


Registered: 09/15/02
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306696 - 12/21/13 07:28 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Thanks man, I appreciate it. I'm not confident I will be able to be completely healed both mentally and physically but I do believe I can make a lot more improvements.. At the very list I can learn to understand more of what is going on and how to better deal with it..
Being sober helps a shit ton too, go figure. lol
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Taco Chef
I found dead John Cheever



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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306769 - 12/21/13 07:52 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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i think just talking about it like this will help too; there is an old saying candor kills paranoia, and in a sense, that is the analytic insight into treating traumas like this. i'm glad you have a counselor; i wish the VA would pay for actual analysis or therapy though. in any case, continue to share.
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: Taco Chef]
#19306785 - 12/21/13 07:57 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Definitely. I know for certain that talking about the things I'm going through helps a lot. I still have a bit of difficulty talking offline sometimes but its markedly better after socializing with people I know on here. It may not be the real thing but its close enough to get me comfortable with talking about things more. Thing's have been getting a lot better once I figured out that being honest and open (to a certain extent) is extremely beneficial.
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Pureless
Crushed it


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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19306821 - 12/21/13 08:11 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Firstly, thank you for your service sir.
Secondly, maybe you're looking too far into it. I have the same thing happen to me in the shower especially if I left the door unlocked or something. I never thought it was that weird to let your imagination wander when your eyes are closed. Also I can't sleep with an open closet because I imagine some shit lurking in there. I've been like this since I was a child so i'm thinking its really just my ocd kicking in as opposed to actual fear but its hard to say.
Edited by Pureless (12/21/13 08:17 AM)
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Anonymous #1
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: Pureless]
#19307506 - 12/21/13 11:24 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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What you describe doesn't sound unreasonable - it's just your reaction to it.
I think exactly the same kind of things when I shower, I just listen carefully, or shut the door, so I'd get a bit of notice of someone coming in.
Man, I wont leave drinks anywhere (making coffee at work etc) as I think someone could poison it when I'm not looking.
When walking, I'm always super observant, always thinking someone behind me could stab me or slash my throat etc.
I have these thoughts, and my body my tense up at points - but I don't consider them so far outside the realms of possibility to make me crazy - so I don't get freaked out about them.
I earn a very good wage, am in a respectable job and have a family, kids, social life - so I am a fully functioning member of society - I guess I just have a highly tuned preservation system.
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EllisDSox
King Hella!

Registered: 01/22/07
Posts: 25,730
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Quote:
The one is called cognitive something therapy I forget lol..
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, most likely. It's weirdly effective for stuff that seems more physical than psychological. Helped me get pain from really severe injuries down to a level where I could do physical therapy and actually get myself fixed.
Plenty of people use it for anxiety, too. It's pretty good as it's more of a readjustment of your body's knee-jerk responses to situations and you prevent anxiety/rage/pain without having to delve through your entire unconscious through years of costly and potentially pointless therapy.
-------------------- Disclaimer: If you have any kind of heart condition, my posts are not for you. You could literally die from reading the first couple of words in any one of them. Scroll down the page, live your life and prosper, but don't read my posts because your heart will probably explode. I am not joking.
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koods
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: EllisDSox]
#19310843 - 12/22/13 07:17 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Maybe this has nothing to do with do with combat.
--------------------
NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
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Dark_Star
train driver pervading a desktop


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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19311375 - 12/22/13 10:44 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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MDMA assisted therapy has shown a whole lot of promise in treating PTSD. have you given any consideration to participating in one of those studies?
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: Dark_Star]
#19315188 - 12/23/13 08:21 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I heard that somewhere on the radio, maybe it was something on NPR. Sounds promising actually.
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VivaLaMushie
RIP LS :(



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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: idiotek]
#19315690 - 12/23/13 11:03 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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OP any time you are in the shower and you feel scared or hear a noise, just yell "Back the fuck up or I'm gonna come out swinging and beat your ass!" I would think by doing this, after a while you would become more confident and maybe can overcome your fears.
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


Registered: 09/15/02
Posts: 37,093
Loc: First Circle of Hell
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: Dark_Star]
#19319643 - 12/24/13 03:56 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I should definitely look into one of those studies, that would actually be pretty interesting to participate in.
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Dark_Star
train driver pervading a desktop


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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: LordSenate]
#19321939 - 12/24/13 04:01 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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--------------------
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


Registered: 09/15/02
Posts: 37,093
Loc: First Circle of Hell
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Re: Paranoia and strong fear. [Re: Dark_Star]
#19335147 - 12/28/13 12:31 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I can't do it.. At least not until my blood pressure is back to normal it says.
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