Stress Management Class & Dissociation

[EvenStrongerNow]

Hey,

I'm not sure why, but my stress management class through breathing and body movements causes me to dissociate. I try really hard not to, but I do.

The teacher talks about chakras and things like that. I don't have a problem with that. I'm just telling you what the class is about. She talks about all kinds of breathing through the muscles, etc. For some reason, the feeling of deep relaxation makes me feel unsafe and I dissociate.

Also, some of the body positions and closing my eyes around people I don't know.

What can I do about this?

Tonight, during one of the exercises, she asked us to sit with our legs crossed and our eyes closed. She told us to pull our shoulders up, imagine all of the stress we are hanging on to, as we exhale, we were supposed to let it all go. Well, I did it fine the first time.

The second time, I pulled my shoulders up. Right as she said imagine all of that stress you're hanging on to, now let it all go, I could not get my shoulders to go back down. I froze and felt unsafe. I could feel fear on my face and dissociated. It was really scary.

I don't have a coping skill for this. I just froze. And it got even worse when she noticed and said, (my name), "You're holding on for too long". I felt really embarrassed and the anxiety rose. I felt dissociated on and off from there on out.

 

[Laurie McLaughlin]

Hi -

I can totally understand why you would feel unsafe closing your eyes in a room full of people you don't know.

And it makes sense as well that as you drew your tension into your shoulders, you could not drop them. I would think that drawing the stress toward you would make you feel vulnerable and afraid and that is why you could not let the stress go and drop your shoulders.

I do know from my own experience that meditation is a very useful tool to help dissipate the symptoms of PTSD but perhaps it would work better for you to meditate by yourself with a meditation tape so that you have less chance to disassociate.

Hope that helps -

Namaste - Laurie

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Hi,

It's a college class. Physical education is required for my degree. I chose stress management because I thought it would help me personally and professionally. I didn't know I was going to dissociate during it.

Any suggestions on how to feel more present? Should I just maybe do it without imagining exactly what she says to imagine? lol

I really feel embarrassed about this. I have an issue with dissociation. I am on medication for it.

 

[Glory]

Hi,
I am a new participant on this site. I can relate to the stress thing because I am beginning to recognize that stress is a factor in dissociating. I would feel uncomfortable in a class like the one you are describing. But i have found meditating listening to a tape very helpful.

 

[franciemarnie]

I think you have a good idea in imagining what works for you, not visualizing or necessarily doing what she says - unbeknownst to her. If you didn't have to take this class, I'd suggest dropping it, but I get that you sort of are obligated.

Some people - as in moi before sleep - have to actually tense everything up in order to relax. I need to feel physically able and strong before my body/mind will relax enough to allow myself to close my eyes, etc.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Does guided deep relaxation trigger dissociation in some with PTSD?

 

[digger]

Could you speak to her before next class and explain to her?

 

[shell]

Could you explain how it affects you, and ask for suggestions. It is possible to meditate with your eyes open, I do it as I find I fall asleep when doing meditation.

 

[Raisin]

I was just about to post a similar topic. I find relaxation classes, yoga, and mindfulness sessions unbearable. Attempts to relax like that, especially in the company of others, result in feelings of extreme vulnerability and panic or dissociation. I feel as though if I relax, I will no longer be able to hold myself together, sometimes to the extent that I feel like I am literally disintegrating. I am working on being able to practice relaxation alone, and also on learning to trust that I can feel some vulnerability and not be at rick of attack. It's a slow process.

 

[Raisin]

It certainly does for me.

Does guided deep relaxation trigger dissociation in some with PTSD?

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

It sounds like a good idea to ask her and explain how it affects me, but I don't want to disclose ptsd to her. Or, do you think that I should?

Is there a way that I can say how it affects me without disclosing?

Maybe I could keep my eyes open. I don't see her having an issue with this. Maybe I could just do the movements and take in relaxation from the quietness of the room.

I think it has something to do with closing my eyes and the visuals she is giving, but some of the poses make me feel wide open and vulnerable--especially the one on my back.

Does anyone know if there is something I can read about this specifically? Is this PTSD and trauma related?

 

[Ghostybear73]

I wouldn't be able to do those kinds of exercise either. Unfortunately, I don't talk to people that I don't know about my mental status. Honestly, and I know this sounds silly, but I would peek. I'm really good at pretending (as I'm sure you are too) to live a normal life, so I am sure I would be able to peek without getting caught.

;)