Advice For Preventing Self-harm While Dissociating

[Littlebirdy44]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice with preventing self-harm while dissociating? It typically only happens for me in the middle of the night after waking up from a nightmare and dissociating due to intense emotional flooding. It's become a vicious cycle for me and the only way to calm me down and bring me back to the present. It's just hard because part of me is still slightly asleep and out of it so my typical coping methods like journaling and playing piano aren't really an option. Anyone have any similar experiences or any advice?

 

[Symphony]

The residential treatment center I used to live at would duct tape oven mitts to long sleeve shirts and have dissociative residents wear those shirts if they were prone to harming themselves at night due to nightmares or flashbacks.

 

[Littlebirdy44]

The residential treatment center I used to live at would duct tape oven mitts to long sleeve shirts an...

Not a bad idea but how shall I explain this one to my mother She would be so confused..especially since she isn't aware I self-harm to begin with. I guess that doesn't necessarily matter though as long as I'm safe. Thanks friend!

 

[Symphony]

She doesn't need to know. Dollar store has oven mitts if you want to be under the radar. The duct tape will visibly "ruin" them but they'll still technically work as oven mitts after. They just won't be pretty.

 

[Sandstone]

If you had to explain it, you could say you are scratching an itch at night and making yourself sore, so these are like infant scratch mitts.