Crisis Mode Stabilization

Prior to starting my own journey from Survivor to Thriver, I did not have much semblance of calm in my day to day life.  Each day began with dread and a sense of impending doom.  How would today turn out? Could I get through today without breaking down and dissolving into tears?  If I did break down, how long would it take me to get it under control and regain some measure of functionality?  It was terrifying!  More than that, it was a constant reminder that I was still not in control.  As Survivors know, control is a huge issue for us.  We had no control during our abuse and were not taught how to be in control.  So we have grown into these out of control adults who don’t know how to take care of ourselves. 

The Survivor to Thriver Manual by The Morris Center discusses “crisis mode (p. 28),” “Many survivors find themselves functioning in "crisis mode," responding with stopgap measures that do nothing to resolve the underlying issues. As a result, each new crisis consumes precious energy and attention, and the task of resolving the underlying issues is ignored. Living life in "crisis mode" is truly exhausting and dispiriting. After years, it can lead to discouragement, helplessness and hopelessness.”  Recovery really is possible.  However, to give yourself the best chance at recovery, you should settle as many of the crises in your life as possible before beginning this journey.  By taking this step, you can reduce the frequency of the crises in your life and take the energy and attention that would have been taken up by yet another stopgap measure and focus that on your recovery.

 

Chapter Two of The Survivor to Thriver Manual discusses Safety First.  You should ALWAYS feel safe in your recovery.  If you do not feel safe, physically, mentally and emotionally, it will be very difficult for you to make the changes needed to progress with your recovery.  Please take the time to read Chapter Two (p. 17) in the Survivor to Thriver Manual and work the assessments and checklists honestly.  Only you can honestly answer these questions.  If you are less than honest with your answers, you may not feel as safe as you could when starting this process. 

Deciding that it is time to become not just a survivor but a thriver is not an easy one.  Fear seems to rear its head whenever we try to take back the parts of us that were taken by our abusers.  In times of fear or uncertainty during my journey, I would frequently think of the quote, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger. -Friedrich Nietzsche”   I survived my abuse.  If I can survive that, then I can survive my recovery.  More recently I have found another quote about fear which speaks volumes.  Are you going to run or are you going to rise?