Dealing the 3am black dog.

When you wake with that incredible feeling of dread or anxiety, when PTSD is at its height and what is normally only irritating makes you extremely angry.

Breathe in fully and completely using lower abdomen, then expanding the ribcage and lengthening the neck and drain all energy, softening all tissue down with the outbreath to the lower abdomen.

If that doesn’t work sit up and do the same.

If that doesn’t work use distraction, think of a random word and with each letter of that word think of every other word that starts with that letter.

If that doesn’t work you can get up and make a cup of tea.

Distract your mind with the radio is good because you can close your eyes.

Often you don’t realise that your stomach can be the cause. Try eating your main meal at midday and something very light later, not spicy, and nothing after 6pm.