discard | ic ✸ overflow

I'm fine.

[... He wants to be fine, anyway.]

Regardless, I--it will...be fine.

... If it ever feels like things aren't fine, at least please tell me. Okay? I do know a few tricks.

[ And she'll be worried otherwise. ]

...Tricks?

[Okay, he's intrigued by that--and he'll admit that, somewhat sheepishly.]

I just... it is only the water. But it is so inconvenient...

[That getting water on his face gives him flashbacks and panic attacks.]

It's not just the sight of it, is it? Is it something like getting submerged, or splashed?

[ Figuring out the exact nature of the trigger comes first. She can offer suggestions after that. ]

I can handle the sight of it without issue, though...the smell of sea water can be somewhat difficult.

[Since he drowned in the ocean.

But...]

When I am submerged, though...

[He can't really stop it from happening at all.]

Mm... I see. It's somewhat of an involuntary thing, where it's happening beyond your control...

[ That was usually what happened, she thinks. A controlled exposure was one thing, but a sudden thing like that... ]

I would assume so, yes.

[It makes sense to him.]

I am generally fine, and can handle it, but... [Occasionally, it's really bad.]

Sometimes you can't, and that's fine. Like I said, there are a few different things you can do.

...Like what?

[These are things he needs to know.]

You'll want to distance yourself from the source, for starters-- like we did today. If it's not directly interfering with you, it helps. Also pay close attention to your breathing. You're going to want to inhale for a count of three, and release for the same count.

A lot of time, when people have panic attacks, their breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and that makes it difficult to get as much oxygen to the brain, rendering you shaky and lightheaded.

[It's good advice. It's all good advice, and slowly, he nods.]

... I see. In that case... I believe I can try to remember these things. They seem simple enough.

[Maybe it will help him be LESS PATHETIC, to his own mind. He doesn't say that out loud, though.]

In time, we'll try to give you a stronger, better memory to override it... which will be hard, I know, but it ought to be able to help.

[ A memory that can override your death, though... isn't going to be easy. ]

For now, just focus on that.