Creative Ways To Deal With Crisis Moments

[712xx]

You know when you just can't stand being in your own body? When you just would love to run away, but that doesn't help - we are stuck with our body and mind; and have that 'anywhere but here' feeling; or you have an impulse to harm yourself -- any kind of crisis situation...

We need ways to deal with this out of control feeling other than calling a T or taking an as-needed-crisis medication.

I'll start with virtual reality goggles -- this may prevents my impulse to 'run', place me in any enviroment I choose, and might help enough to calm my senses enough to get a better grip ... a better path to finding my center, balance, zen.

 

[Chondra]

I isolate myself to reduce external inputs and then I try to meditate and imagine myself as larger than the feeling(s). For acute panic I use variations of self applied EMDR - left right left right....

I am also experimenting with music. Never thought of the goggles. Please post how it works for you if you give them a try.

Good luck!

 

[712xx]

I wonder if we need 'dark time', with the lights completely off? I've not had much of that in a long time, and I wonder if my brain is needing it. I do find myself putting my hands over my eyes a lot recently (during the day), just on impulse when I cry. My body feels so sluggish and unsettled; wanting to ... find an end or an out, but at the same time I do things to distract and avoid it -- survival instinct I think.

I liked reading this article called [DLMURL="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/200910/grief-in-animals-its-arrogant-think-were-the-only-animals-who-mourn"]'Animal Emotions' [/DLMURL]by Marc Bekoff. I was looking for a list of animals and ways they deal with their negative emotions, but this article was a good start. I like placing humans in the category of 'animal' rather than believing we are superior to them. In someways I feel inferior.

 

[PerfectEmpire]

I've always thought it would be nice to have "public privacy rooms", similar to public restrooms but completely soundproof. It would be a place where people could go to break down at work or school without getting weird looks. It would be a place to go to just take naps or be invisible for a while.

When I am in crisis I abandon all of my plans/responsibilities for the day and drive to the nearest state park or wilderness area. Being isolated in the wilderness feels like being invisible, getting to disappear for a while and taking a break from being me!

 

[712xx]

Something that might help those who self-harm -- I use my paranoia (or try) to my advantage. I try and think that someone is putting these thoughts in my head to make me do something I don't really want to do, AND make me addicted to it so it can be MY fault for my own destruction. I try to resist it, and this line of pseudo-reasoning gives me more mental stamina to go longer periods of time not hurting myself.

I purposly do good things for myself when I am feeling well; when I feel very unwell, and want to self harm, I find notes around the house given to me by my well-self (near where harming objects can be found) telling me this feeling will pass and not to let them win.

"This isn't you; they want you to harm yourself. THEY are putting these things into your mind. Don't let them!."

 

[poeticprincess88]

When I was in college my friend taught me a cool technique called "Smashing Skittles" It actually turns into fun because you're trying to smash a skittle with a hammer or another object and then they are flying everywhere it's big distraction but it makes me laugh.

I listen to music a lot and that helps to.

Positive affirmations are great. They are easy to put on note cards. I keep them with me in my purse or my planner so they are easy to pull out if I'm having a bad day.

Art is another creative outlet for me. I learned a lot about collage making in treatment. Sometimes I can't express how I'm feeling in my journal but I can cut stuff out of magazines and express it in the form of art.

 

[JustBe]

I snuggle and or play with my dogs (big surprise, right?!) :laugh:

 

[JustBe]

Poeticprincess, Thanks for digging up all these interesting threads!;)

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I watch Christmas movies off of the Hallmark channel. They are cozy and wholesome. They have such good stories. I go and get a mocha frappe. I eat Ben and Jerrys ice cream in the evenings. I have werthers candies. I take a shower. All of these things help.

 

[Charmedone]

I sit in my car to feel safe. My car is safe because when mum was driving us some place was one of the only happy times from my childhood and :) I used my car to get a job away from home. I feel like i can drive away if things get too much, also as i need to concentrate to drive safely it grounds me and keeps my head straight.

 

[Tanishq]

I am learning to stay calm. It does make me feel good somewhat.

 

[Charmedone]

I like to draw/write when i'm struggling, it helps me to find peace/balance.