Compression, Not Sure Why It Helped But It Did.

[Fadeaway]

About a week ago I was having a panic attack/ grief /sobbing episode. I was curled up into a ball face down with my legs under me crying into the pillow because the nonphysical pain in my chest was pretty intense. My husband whose "help" generally makes things worse climbed on top of me with his full body encompassing me and laid on me. For some reason I can't explain, but instead of freaking out feeling like I was being restrained, I felt safe and protected and the weight of his body was very soothing.

I tried to research it, and only fond information on weighted blankets and clothing. There was nothing to tell me why a person who fears being restrained would not only find this comforting but have an immediate end to the emotional symptoms.

2 nights ago I woke him up because I was crying again because he forgot our anniversary he tried the same thing. I wasn't feeling panicked just very emotionally hurt because it is the story of my life. he did the same thing. It didn't have quite the same effect, maybe because I was less distraught, but I did feel better?

It just seems weird. If I had been face up I couldn't have handled it. I am confused.

 

[Deleted member 38644]

It's because maybe you're use to it and you feel comfortable to him without you knowing him as a stranger.

About a week ago I was having a panic attack/ grief /sobbing episode. I was curled up into a ball fac...[/QUOTE

 

[Muted]

About a week ago I was having a panic attack/ grief /sobbing episode. I was curled up into a ball fac...

I wonder if it's similar to the security of swaddling newborns. Usually when I am crying I don't want to be touched, but one I was crying in bed on my side and my husband didn't say a word (which is rare for him) and he laid down right behind me and put his arms around me like spooning and just held me and I didn't feel resistant at all just completely comforted and secure.

That's awesome @Fadeaway that he found a way to comfort you! It may have been a little less comforting the second time, because he was the one that hurt you by forgetting your anniversary.

 

[Deleted member 487]

Depending on the conditions...I bet it is directly related to the pressure points the body has. After the last wreck I was in I found that wearing a fullbody wetsuit helped me a lot.

 

[Deleted member 38242]

A safe womb of love? I know a bunch of newagers that were into a rebirthing thing beck in the day, and the first part sounds like what they do. I guess for the body it stimulates being compressed in the womb safe and sound, but after that it gets weird into kicking and crawling out of it.
Body points, and compression is used in massage. The body increases serotonin when touched. Being safe under a man, and not alone can also feel good, and not sexual which is total vulnerability sounds great to me, but I'm forever single, so .......
I'm glad you found comfert and safety no matter what. Its not weird, or bad sounding. Just sounds like love to me.

 

[Deleted member 487]

I do not think it is the rebirthing trick. I know that acupuncture works as does acupressure. These are using the stress points the body has.

 

[Fadeaway]

I don't think it is rebirthing either. I am slowly learning that his love language is acts of service, but comforting and making me feel emotionally secure is not his strong suit. I am more inclined to believe it was pressure points.

 

[Muted]

Glad whatever it was that it seemed to work for you @Fadeaway .

 

[Symphony]

It's called Deep Pressure Therapy and it was discovered by Temple Grandin, a famous woman with autism. It was originally used to calm cattle and she utilized the properties to assist herself.

Deep Pressure Therapy started as a "hug machine" (an example of this is used in the movie Temple Grandin, which I last saw for free on Amazon Prime) and has moved to being applied with various methods including: human intervention, compression clothing, weighted blankets, weighted or inflated vests, and even service animals trained to apply pressure in specific places on the body.

More information on Deep Pressure Therapy from Temple's website:
Calming Effects of Deep Touch Pressure in Patients with Autistic Disorder, College Students, and Animals

 

[Towanda]

Deep Presure Therapy is great. My service dog will lay on me when I'm having a panic attack, and my mom is making me a weighted blanket. My husband used to be afraid to touch me when I was upset because it hurt me. Since we found DPT he knows to wrap his arms around me and squeeze. That feels good.