"Soothing the Storm: Indian Head Massage for PTSD Recovery"

What is P.T.S.D?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. One of those traumatic events may be exposure to narcissistic abuse. I am choosing to speak about this one in particular because my personal battle has been recovering from narc abuse.

What is Narcissistic abuse?

Narcissistic abuse often takes the form of manipulation, control, and gaslighting. Narcissistic abuse can be very subtle, but it can have a profound and long-lasting impact on the mental and emotional well-being of the victim.

Some common forms of narcissistic abuse include:

-Verbal abuse: Constant criticism, belittling, and name-calling

• Gaslighting: Manipulating the victim into doubting their own perceptions and memories ( This one was huge for me. I doubted every thought in my head to the point of telling my doctor that if she/he felt I was going crazy that I was willing to be hospitalized)

• Isolation: Keeping the victim away from friends and family ( I was being manipulated into believing that my family didn't care for me)

• Financial abuse: Controlling the victim's access to money

• Emotional manipulation: Making the victim feel guilty or responsible for the abuser's behavior ( I was told that my paranoia was causing their behavior)

• Psychological abuse: Using fear, guilt, shame, or intimidation to control the victim ( I was constantly told that I was scared to leave the relationship because of my fear of being alone and bringing shame to my parents )

Recovering from emotional abuse is not something that you can just brush off. It always exists in the back of your mind, but what you can do is train your brain to focus and concentrate. Here are some steps that helped me cope.

1. Seek out professional help. They can help you with strategies in dealing with symptoms.

2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help to bring your mind back to the present moment and improve focus.

3. Use a planner or to-do list: Having a visual representation of what needs to be done can help to focus your mind and make you feel less overwhelmed.

These are just a few. One of the other things I felt helped me cope with depression and anxiety was Indian Head Massage. Hence the reason why I offer it as a service and training here at Foot & Soul Temple Spa

Indian head massage can be very helpful for people with PTSD. It is known to be a form of relaxation that can help reduce the symptoms of PTSD such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and stress. It can also help improve the overall mood of a person and help you feel more balanced. The massage can be adapted to be done in a gentle and calming way, and it can help create a sense of peace and relaxation. Additionally, it can help to release tension and reduce muscle pain, which can also be helpful for people with PTSD.

I hope that this information is helpful for any of you who may be suffering in silence. Know that you are not alone. Narc abuse if very common and many don't even recognize that they are being abused. Slowly your brain starts to question your own thoughts...this is called "rumination".

REMEMBER, questioning oneself is a normal reaction to traumatic events, but when it becomes overwhelming and persistent it can be a symptom of PTSD. It's also important to remember that healing from trauma takes time and it is normal to have good and bad days. I still have those too.

If you need a shoulder :) I am here !!