Page 419 - Total War on PTSD_FINAL

Let me walk you through the first lesson for someone struggling with anxiety and fear of the water. I’ll use the first 15 minutes teaching him or her how to blow bubbles through the nose, by humming favorite songs, breathing in through the mouth above water, and getting into a meditative state by bobbing, which, by slowing the heart-rate, decreases anxiety. Sometimes, I have to use life-coaching techniques to help my clients become present with me.
Next, I’ll have them continue breathing in this pattern while holding onto the side and starting to move the legs and feet, just to get a feel for what it’s like to be in motion in the water, with support. We will work on technique and ankle flexibility later (to move the legs, the body must be in a prone position). Now we’re getting to the balancing part, and by giving them something to think about, moving and breathing at the same time, they are now slightly distracted from doing something they are afraid of — letting go and letting the water support the body.
We take short breaks between activities as necessary. It is not a quick and easy process to face fears. Sometimes I start with floating without kicking, it just really depends on the spirit of the lesson. While kicking and holding on to the steps, or wall, I can now have my client quickly let go for a blink-of-an-eye moment and quickly return to holding on. “Wait! What! Oh, wow, did you feel that?” “How did that feel?” We repeat that with increasing the number of blinks per moment.
After this, we work on submerging. Some people think it’s impossible to force themselves to submerge, and that’s when they learn that the more force you exert on the water, the more force the water is going to exert on you. This pushes you up and keeps
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