Containment Strategies

[lostforgottensoul]

like the visualization I've been doing, actually. Only I don't know when the "taking them out again" part is going to happen. I'm still working at getting them in there...

Oddly, im wonderful at visualization but horrible at this "put emotions in a box at the bottom of the ocean and go get them later" thing. Either they dont get in the container or they float off to sea never to be felt again.

I think, with anything, practice.

Compartmentalizing works for me and im working on unnumbing (reaccessing) on cue (when i want to). Practice.

So to get them in the locked safe on top of Mt Everst or whatever, practice.

I have a secert place in my visualized world that i created from the DBT book. In chapter 2 it talks about creating a safe room or safe place to visualize when you want to feel safe. Put it there.

 

[Justmehere]

When visualization is failing me, I put things down on paper in 1-5 word phrases (so I don't think too much) and I put those pieces of paper in an actual box.

It somehow helps my brain wait to deal with them.

 

[sun seeker]

I put those pieces of paper in an actual box

Thanks, I'll try that. I have just the box. That would perhaps help me not to forget what I've got put away. There's getting to be quite a list.

 

[aut555]

I think l have a denial container, and then l lost the container but that method doesn't work. Thoughts, emotions replicate themselves like sci-fi movie monster and present themselves. So l concentrate on the here and now which helps me feel in control.

 

[EveHarrington]

I think l have a denial container, and then l lost the container but that method doesn't work. Thoughts,...

It sounds like you're stuffing, the evil twin of containment.

 

[Pakadlangitok]

I'm interested in how you deal with feelings that are too intense to cope with and need to be saved...

My brain would ache. Just ACHE. Nothing I could do. Then I go a head injury. Poof. now I cannot ruminate. Yes, I cannot concentrate, either, but I can't ruminate either. Do not know what was best. I only wish it had been a worse head injury so I could not even remember.

 

[Sweet_E]

My brain would ache. Just ACHE. Nothing I could do. Then I go a head injury. Poof. now I cannot ru...

Wow, that's interesting. I feel like I have burn out like a pot head - thought I've rarely smoked pot. I've lost a lot of my cognitive efficiency but I sure can ruminate! I'm trying to treat myself like I have a brain injury at times - giving myself periods of time where I don't think as much, and reducing the amount of thinking and analysis I do. I'm addicted to using my brain. When I'm not at work, I'm reading, researching, and writing. I think its a way to distract myself from what I might be feeling.