C-PTSD and Me

Embrace Calm and Clarity with Equal Breathing

Andrea M. Ennis, J.D. Season 1 Episode 2

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Ready to embrace a calmer mindset and make clearer decisions? Discover the simplicity and profound impact of equal breathing, a technique that's accessible to everyone, whether you're a mindfulness novice or seasoned practitioner. Through a personal journey narrated by our host, learn how this breathing exercise, recommended by a psychologist, can help neutralize chaotic thoughts and foster healthier choices. This episode promises to equip you with a practical tool to seamlessly incorporate into your daily routine, offering mental clarity and peace.

Join us as we guide you through the steps of equal breathing—inhale, pause, exhale, pause—transforming a few focused minutes into a meaningful practice. Experience firsthand how this method can re-center your mental state, ultimately enhancing your overall well-being. Remember, it's always important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting new health routines, but we're here to share an approach that's made a significant difference in our lives. Take a moment with us, breathe, and step into a more mindful existence.

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Brewin CR, Cloitre M, Hyland P, Shevlin M, Maercker A, Bryant RA, Humayun A, Jones LM, Kagee A, Rousseau C, Somasundaram D, Suzuki Y, Wessely S, van Ommeren M, Reed GM. A review of current evidence regarding the ICD-11 proposals for diagnosing PTSD and complex PTSD. Clin Psychol Rev. 2017 Dec;58:1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.09.001. Epub 2017 Sep 6. PMID: 29029837.

ICD-11 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Classifications: http://id.who.int/icd/entity/2070699808

ICD-11 Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) Classifications: http://id.who.int/icd/entity/585833559

If you or someone you know is in crisis and would like someone to speak to:

USA: Call or Text 988 or chat online at http://988lifeline.org/
Veterans: Press 1 or hold to connect for re-direction to the appropriate source
Spanish: Press 2 or hold to connect for re-direction to the appropriate source

To Find an Internation Resource: Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World | Psychology Today

Speaker 1:

Our exercise today is called equal breathing. Equal breathing is a super easy habit to pick up, and here's how we'll do it. First, we'll inhale for a count of five and then pause for a count of one. Then we'll exhale for another count of five and pause for a count of one one more time. Then we'll repeat. Super easy, right? So let's get started. Go ahead and inhale for a count of one, two, three, four, five, and then pause for one. And inhale for one, two, three, four, five. Pause for one and exhale for one, two, three, four, five and pause for one. As with any type of health routine, always consult with a medical professional, which I am not. This breathing exercise was given to me by my psychologist as a way to bring my thoughts to a more neutral state. It helps me have clearer thinking for healthier long-term decision-making. And now let's get back to the show.

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