Getting pierced with PTSD
Recovering from a car accident and having PTSD both make you look at things a little bit differently. Especially things you didn’t have any problem with before the accident and the PTSD. One of these things for me was getting pierced.
I didn’t have a lot of piercings before the accident. I had a bad experience with a piercer and the way it healed, so I stopped getting pierced. I didn’t even feel the need to get another one. But back in February, I really wanted to get my nose pierced (the first time). I knew the pain wasn’t going to be an issue, but with PTSD, it’s all about a heightened nervous system. The fight-or-flight response that has issues calming down. And ANYTHING can trigger that, much less a very large needle getting shoved through your nostril. Even if it’s only for a short amount of time (seconds in my case), just the sensation of the needle piercing the skin and cartilage could easily trigger me.
I was worried how I’d react. I was trying a new shop and a new piercer. I had read good things about both of them, but you never know. And a big thing about PTSD is also feeling in control. The less we feel in control of the situation, usually the worse the trigger. But this little empath knows energy. And when I walked into Branch Out Studios , I felt grounded and I felt at home by just walking in the door. The shop is spotless and super clean. And this was before COVID. I was greeted by the lovely shop owner Rebekah, who immediately asked if I was “Robin from Instagram”. I MAY like their photos a little too much. But she was so nice and so welcoming that my anxiety basically went away the minute I walked in. Lonnie is the piercer at Branch Out, and from the second we met, her energy was 100% focused on me and making it a great experience for me. She was helping me pick out jewelry. Actually, it was more than that. Lonnie literally looked at the jewelry I was wearing and suggested a color off of me and my taste, but totally left the decision up to me. She analyzed the anatomy of my nose to see what would work best for me aesthetically and how it would heal the best. And when it came to the piercing itself, Lonnie made sure she had the right angle, and she had me breathe, which is something that immediately calms me. I didn’t tell her that I have PTSD because I was having a good day with it, and it’s something I forget about on the good days. It was quick and (mostly) painless. And Lonnie took just as much care explaining the aftercare as she did with everything else that day. You can tell that she’s good at her job and that she wants everyone to have a good experience. And as someone like that myself, I can truly appreciate that.
I didn’t have any triggering moments at Branch Out, which I was worried about at the beginning of my appointment (I have had a couple of those moments while getting tattooed so I thought it might happen here too). My anxiety spiked for a second but was easily handled. I asked Lonnie a bunch of questions about aftercare, which she happily answered. I tend to want to be prepared for anything that might happen. I’m glad I asked about it because a couple of weeks later, we got locked down and I wouldn’t have been able to go to the shop for advice.
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine and I went in to get new piercings. Branch Out during a pandemic is one of the safest places you can be because they are following every guideline to a tee. Wearing a mask anywhere is still a little weird, but it almost felt normal there. Both Rebekah and Lonnie were once again spectacular, and my friend and I were thoroughly thrilled with the experience and the piercings. It made our “Girls Day Out” so much more fun and enjoyable.
Doing stuff you did before PTSD (or hell, before the pandemic) is still totally possible after the fact, but you just might have to pay attention to what your body and mind are doing a little bit more so that you’re in a good headspace when you do it. Which honestly, is just something you should do period. I never could have done that last year or the years before. But since I know how my body and nervous system reacts to certain things, it was a pleasant experience. It also tells me that I may be getting a bit “better” on the PTSD front, which is always a good thing. Weirdly enough, needing to have control over a situation led me to be totally open-minded and free of control when I went back a couple of weeks ago because I was so comfortable the time before.
I want to thank Branch Out Studios in Brighton, CO, for the pleasant experiences. This girl with PTSD thanks you for your amazing energy, and you know I’ll be back soon. If you’re in the Denver Metro Area, or if you’re not and you feel like driving, please consider visiting this shop. If you’re not into piercings, their tattoo artists are pretty badass too. Also, if you need a post-piercing drink. might I suggest Big Choice Brewery? They are fabulous as well.
